August 8 - The Amsterdamswaterleidingduinen
Towser, Morris and Finnley waved us goodbye. The road trip is about to start Petra cried out, after we left Maastricht. We are going to watch Gannets in South Scotland. But first we will spend 2 nights at the coast. BnB De Vogelensangh is where we ‘ll stay. Nice restaurant and a nice room. Reminiscent of the Sterrenberg, but different and much smaller.
After a short rest after the long drive, we go to the Amsterdamswaterleidingduinen, just a stone's throw away, to take a picture of the fox. They are often seen here and seem to be rather tame. "The" place where the foxes can be spot is a good 2 km walk. Along the way we enjoy the beautiful nature and the many Fallow Deer, which are not shy and very plenty. It is as if we are in India (but without the tigers).
When we arrive at "the" place we see a number of people. We ask if the foxes are here. "He was just sitting here, but then the forester came and he was quickly gone again." Where should we search? "We are going that way, you can come along". A man and a woman, both a bit strange, but nice. We follow them. "We are going up here, they are usually there". Petra turns around before we walk into the bushes. "And what about this one?" She says. The fox was already following us. You are not allowed to feed them the sign read, but it soon became clear why the fox was following us. Well, for this one time then. And the photos are beautiful.
Another 2 km and then we are at the sea. The weather is beautiful. And will be bad tomorrow, so enjoy it now. A nice snack and a drink, and then 5 km back. A quick drive to Zandvoort to see the sun sink in the sea. When taking pictures I don't pay attention and scoop my good shoes full of water. We share portion of Kibbeling (fried battered chunks of fish, mostly cod) and call it a night. We are both very tired, but it was a wonderful day.
August 9 - Haarlem
Bad weather today. Sleep in. Because breakfast is only served from 10 a.m., perhaps a little too long. The breakfast was delicious.
To Haarlem. Petra had discovered a nice shop there, so we’re having a look. Very cozy town by the way. Now back for the siesta.
What do we do? It seems to stay dry. Well, let's go back to the AWD. Less than 10 minutes later we are in the car. We walk the path towards the Duizendmeterweg. After a while we see fallow deer on the left and right. When we arrive at the "fox spot" we see that we are not alone. A man, head to toe dressed in white, with white hair and a white beard *. And a couple with a camera. And yes, the fox is already showing itself. "We have been waiting here for 4 hours, and now you and the fox suddenly shows itself!". They take 3 photos and are gone ?? !! We go into the bushes and up the hill. Hey, another fox. Very funny.
Time to go back and eat something. Conveniently at De Vogelensangh. They’re almost full. Good that I called to make reservations.
Time to go back and eat something. Conveniently at De Vogelensangh. They’re almost full. Good that I called to make reservations.
Another beautiful day. Time to crawl under the wool.
* Petra had already seen this striking appearance in Zandvoort yesterday.
August 10 - DFDS
It looks like Elly's flight will be alright, only half an hour delay. First packing, everything in the car and the key in the letterbox. Have breakfast at La Place in Haarlem. Excellent breakfast and very cheap. Then to Schiphol to pick up Elly.
We didn’t really a plan for today, but when we told her about the fallow deer and the fox ..... Off to the AWD. A lot of fallow deer, but no fox. A nice walk, and despite the announced storm, it stays dry.
A pancake at Panneland, and on to IJmuiden. A quick detour to the sea at Bloemendaal aan Zee.
A pancake at Panneland, and on to IJmuiden. A quick detour to the sea at Bloemendaal aan Zee.
Meanwhile we arrived on the boat and already looked around. Rest and then eat. And that food was great.
South West storm. Wind force 9. And that wasn't so good for Petra. A little seasick. And she was far from the only one! Once in the bunk we all fell asleep quickly.
August 11 - Scotland
After a great breakfast, a quick shower, and a quick look on the deck as the boat entered the harbor, we set off. To Scotland. First to Jedburgh. A few photos of the abbey ruin and a coffee in the quirky book shop across the street. And on to Melrose. There is an even more famous abbey ruin. This time we did pay the £ 6 entrance fee per person. No, Elly receives a 60+ discount. For her it's £ 4.80. We also take the electronic guide. After an hour in the Scottish rain we think it is enough, and we drive on to our hotel for the following 2 nights: The Rocks, in Dunbar. Looks cosy, and great rooms.
And then, NO !! Bass Rock is cancelled *. Too much swell. What a disappointment. We immediately call them for alternatives call. "Yes, sorry" "We both run the catamaran and the RIB tomorrow". We book the RIB, the best alternative.
Tonight we have dinner at the hotel.
* It was only after we had booked that we discovered 50% of the trips were being cancelled. Very unfortunate, but nothing to be done about it.
12 August - Bass rock
No landing, so time for a good Full Scottish breakfast. That's great. Then direction North Berwick. First with a stop at Tantallon Castle. What a gigantic ruin. With beautiful information boards, helping you to imagine yourself standing there in the early Middle Ages. Awesome.
Then, after lunch, on the RIB. Always nice to be at sea. And what are the Gannets, and their chicks, beautiful. Petra is still struggling to enjoy it, she would have loved to be on the island.
Tired and satisfied we head for the hotel. We also have dinner there. It tastes great.
August 13 - St. Abbs Head
Breakfast, check out and on to our next destination: Bamburgh. First stop is St. Abbs Head. A walk over a cliff, with beautiful sea views, to a lighthouse. And what a view. Man man, how beautiful it is here. Elly finds the first stretch a bit exciting. She is afraid of heights and the path runs close to the cliff. At the end of the route a beautiful bay. Back along the loch.
Then with the car down to the town of St. Abbs. Not suitable for larger vehicles as very clearly indicated above, before you enter the town. Our car is not that big and it is going fine. We even find a parking space. Off to the cafe. It is busy and pleasant. And they have fresh crab sandwiches. Yes! Ordering is easy. Finding a place is a bit more difficult. Fortunately we can join two older, chatty, ladies. "Yes, it's his name and his name is Coco, like the clown". No idea who that clown is. Apparently she wanted a bitch, they didn't have one, and she had already chosen the name. All right.
What is that? A German with a camper van is coming down the narrow road. Well. And then? Back because that thing is way too big for here! Turning the big thing with millimeters to spare left and right, and back up.
It is also time for us to move on. Just before we arrive we take a quick look at the Causeway to Holy Island. It is high tide so the sea is over the road. Great for Petra to get her feet wet. Moments later the gigantic castle looms up for us, we have arrived in Bamburgh.
After a downpour of an hour it clears up and the weather is beautiful. We go to the beach along the castle. What a great beach, with nice rollers on the sea. We end the day at the Potted Lobster, a delicious dinner.
[26 years together today ]
August 14 - Holy Island
Not really a plan for today. "Back to Holy Island?" Fine! This time we can cross the Causeway. A few months ago we first heard about Holy Island through the "Rond de Noordzee" program, which aired on Dutch TV. We had the impression that Holy Island was something small and unknown. Not really. It was a lot bigger than we expected, and everyone knew about it. Man, what a lot of tourists. After some pictures, especially of the many many seals on the sandbank, we thought it is enough and we drove on. To Low Newton at the Sea. Nice ride, but impossible to park, not as nice as hoped and it rained a lot. We looked a little further.
Further on we see another castle ruin. Then go that way. It's Dunstanburgh Castle, near Craster. Looked nice from a distance. What we didn't know is that it was a half-hour walk from the parking lot. And therefore also half an hour back. We don't have that much time left, so turned around half way. A quick Kipper sandwich, a Scone and 2 coffees at the eatery * at the parking lot and on to the boat. Time to sail back to the Netherlands.
We booked dinner on arrival and now check what time slots are still available: 8:15 pm! Then to Rose', from the Orca organisation, presentation about the dolphins and whales in the North Sea. Very nice. The sea it is too gray and choppy to see anything. Only some Gannets hanging around the boat. A nice "Goodbye" from England.
[The boat turned, Elly said after she had gone the wrong way]
* Because I didn't know what the other specialty, the World Famous Auchtermuchty, was, I went looking for it back at home and I found them: the Pipers Pitch.
August 15 - At home
Packing, having breakfast and then, just after 10 o'clock, get off the boat. Drop Elly at Schiphol, and on to Maastricht.
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