18 August
Delft

"Is'nt Kok Watersports somewhere around here?" asked Skip over his Weetabix.

A quick question to Mr Google, who I know I have mentioned before as the answer to all things, and we had plotted a bike route 10km downstream.

Ian and Sian will recognise this doorway.

It was a lovely ride with the canal on one side and charming farmhouses on the other. On this side of the canal it is surprisingly rural until one approaches Rotterdam.

Happy Skip.

Kok Watersports, the chandlery shop, was all we expected and Skip had a lovely time browsing. He bought a few little stainless bits and bobs and we also came home with a water-heater to attach to the engine so we can have hot showers without having to switch on the electric one, which chomps battery power.

We were back on the boat by 11 and decided to catch the little tram we had seen going in and out of the nearby station. We had no idea where it went, but it looked like fun.

We can never resist a tram, and this one turned out to be a great ride.

It turned out to be a most fortuitous choice, as the tram went right through the neighbouring city of The Hague, past all the sights, and out to the coast at the seaside town of Scheveningen, where we got off for lunch.

The 5* hotel Kurhaus. The tram dropped us off right outside.

WOW - what a place. Yes, we have seen seaside towns on this trip, but this was on a whole other level.

A side-long glance at the menu as I passed was enough to tell me we were'nt lunching here today.

The Promenade

And surprisingly upmarket too. A definite lack of tat. We enjoyed a walk along the pier with the added entertainment of the bungy-jumpers at the end. They seemed to be enjoying the experience, but we were happy to remain spectators.

Kiddie trampoline heaven.

Yee-ha! Caught the shot just as he leapt.

On the pier.
 

Kibbeling for lunch, of course, it being the seaside and then the tram back to Delft.

Skip waiting patiently while I ...

 

...photograph an impressive coat of arms.

I decided it was time for a walk and took myself off to wander the old town center while Skip got back on his bike and went to look for the nearby park. When we met up again later, he reported it to be a fine place indeed. I thoroughly enjoyed the stroll and window shopping. I stopped in at the Heijn for a pizza which we are going to try on the Weber tomorrow night after the predicted long day on the tidal stretch up to Dordrecht.