Bits and Bobs.

Time has flown by since we left England. Our trip to the Netherlands had a few hiccups - we missed check-in deadline for the chunnel by 5 minutes and had to wait ages for the next one due to delays.  We finally got to France and steamed nicely along until we got to Antwerp where we got stuck in a traffic jam on the outskirts.  So we changed route and decided to go through Antwerp.  It was a mistake because initially we sped along nicely then got stuck in traffic trying to go through the tunnel under the river.  That held us up further and we were late back at Paul's mum's (Betty) place.  Better late than never though.

We had intended to do a World Naked Bike Ride in Amsterdam but the weather forecast was chilly and unsettled so we decided not to go.  The day after that, Sunday, we were due to go on a guided walk through the mud flats during low tide.  Once again the weather was chilly and unsettled so we didn't go.

This week Paul has been on a course for work in Almere, staying at a purpose built hotel.  I've been staying with Betty but met up with Gwenny, my sister-in-law, on Tuesday to go to a lovely health spa on the outskirts of Rotterdam (https://www.elysium.nl/).  We had a few relaxing hours floating in the high density salt pool, swimming in one of the pools, going into the Jacuzzis, and more.  It is a lovely place with a huge choice of indoor and outdoor facilities as well as treatments and places to eat.  We left around 11pm absolutely tired out but feeling great.

The rest of the week was relaxing enough but I was tired - I missed Paul's presence tremendously and didn't sleep well.

Paul got back from his course today, later than expected.  Traffic was very bad not only due to people going home from work but also due to some of the Dutch schools having broken up today and and people are heading off on their holidays.  He finally made it back home, only to rush out again to fetch a hired trailer.  I went with him.  The initial trailer Paul hired was a bit small for our needs due incorrect size measurements on the company's website.  It has since been amended.  Anyway we finally got a suitably big enough trailer with a ramp on it.  It is very long so Paul had to be careful when taking going around corners or around roundabouts.  It was too long to drive it onto the driveway next to Betty's house so Paul ended up parking the car and the trailer partway on the pavement along the roadside.

Tomorrow we have a long day ahead of us - we are heading to France for a few days.