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| THE NETHERLANDS AND BELGIUM 2006: Trip Report |
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We had the wind behind us and made short work of the pleasant 35km from Hijum to Harlingen. We found an excellent delicatessen and wine shop in Harlingen and were tempted to throw our packed lunch away but decided against it because we weren't sure if it would be possible to eat it on the ferry, and had the idea that it might have a restaurant. In the event we regretted it, because there was only a snack bar with junk food, and plenty of tables to eat lunch.
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| The Lonely Planet had given us the impression that Vlieland was a remote island where it was difficult to buy food but there were numerous restaurants and cafes, as well as two reasonably well stocked supermarkets and the cobbled streets were packed with holiday makers. |
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| The hotel was about a kilometer from town and nestled in the dunes. We had an upstairs room, not high enough to see the sea over the dunes but enough to catch the breeze and it was pleasantly cool. We were having a remarkable run of weather, we had anticipated cold, rain and wind but not this continual heat wave. It was apparently confounding the weather forecasters, rain had been forecast 'the day after tomorrow' ever since we arrived in Amsterdam. We went for a walk on the beach and happened upon a large hotel called the Strand. The day was drawing to a close and the terrace looked attractive so we decided to eat there. The food was indifferent. We ordered a bottle of 'Pruscetto', a sparkling Italian wine and it arrived just as we were finishing the meal. The wine cost 27 euros, subsequently we noticed it in a supermarket marked down from 11 euros to 4.95. However the staff were friendly, the wine was good and we enjoyed watching the sunset. |
| We spent the next day exploring the island on our bikes. There are numerous walking tracks winding through the the sand dunes and forests. We bought a selection of cheeses, cold meats and fruit at the supermarket and a loaf of bread at the bakery. We had them for dinner with a bottle of good red wine we had bought in Harlingen. The hotel didn't serve dinner but didn't mind us using their plates and cutlery for our own food on their veranda. |
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