Two Australians Found Unconscious in their Appelbak (apple cake) and Slagroom (whipped cream) Because They Had to Say Goodbye to The Netherlands

Yes, it was too much.  We had to say goodbye to the wonderful Netherlands.  Today we crossed the border into Germany after the last few wonderful rain-free days around Groningen (in the North).  As you can see from the pic, I was very very sad to say goodbye.  This pic was taken about 1km from the border - our last breakfast of magical apple cake and slagroom.  So sad.

We've had a blast here.  By all accounts, including our ride into Leer today, we've done 550km on the bike, we've swallowed 6 bugs (between the two of us), we've had one bug each up our nose, we've seen a Dutch cowboy riding his bike past us, a Dad in his tractor with his 1 year old kid in a baby seat hanging outside his tractor cabin drove past, we've seen people riding one-handed while holding an umbrella with the other, a guy smoking his cigar as he cycled past, and, wonderfully, many disabled and cognitively impaired people on tandems and double bikes cycle past.  I LOVE CYCLING IN THE NETHERLANDS.  I think I've pretty much fallen in love with The Netherlands in general.  And now we've had to say goodbye Netherlands, HELLO GERMANY!

But before I go to Germany, we have to go back to go forward.

I left you last time at our gorgeous campsite watching deer frolicking - and YES I SLEPT ALL NIGHT IN THE TENT!  Woohooo!  Sally and I are becoming mates, and since that night we've had two more successful nights together cementing a more meaningful and trusting relationship.  Phew.

So, we took off from our magical country campsite, and we had wonderful tail winds again, amazing scenery, including a stork or crane (not sure which it is JD!?!?) in its nest with two babies, one who was demanding food!  

We'd just eaten THE BEST FOOD at a local trucking stop  (I reckon trucking stops are always a good place to eat - good cheap food) - and it did not disappoint - we had the Schnitzel, apparently famous around the area as "the schnitzel as big as your door mat", and an apple pancake - god it was good after 35kms on the bike.  After that we were filled up and ready to go for our run into Groningen, the big city in the northern Netherlands, and our next campsite (yep, you read right, sportsfans, two nights in the tent in a row).

YUM YUM - Schnitzel was THE BEST EVER (that's for you P!)

Back on the bike with loads of energy...

to get to our awesome campsite 3km out of Groningen...

where Mustang Sally and I are becoming fast friends

Now we were overdue for a rest day - we promised ourselves we'd have one after every 3 days of riding - and we were like 4 days overdue.  So, we rode the 3km into Groningen to our hotel for the night - WOOHOO - SOFT BEDS AND A BATHROOM SO CLOSE BY.  Ah.  Luxury.  We spent the whole day exploring the city which is a uni city so had a really great youthful vibe, it was a combo of the "old" cities we'd spent so much time in, with a modern bent - so great.  

It's a huge uni city, and also a real feminist bent with the Netherland's foremost women's rights activist, Aletta Jacobs,  coming from Groningen - she was the first woman to study at a Dutch university, and became the first female Dutch physician - she worked for equal rights, family planning and sexual health advocacy.  LEGEND.

(so many bikes)

So, after a sort of unrestful rest day, and a good night's sleep we headed off for more adventures.  We left Groningen behind, but not before a quick visit to a sports and bike shop for a few things, where of course Mike spotted the Kibbeling (fish) food truck - so...well...we had to have some...YUM YUM.

So, stocked up on kibbeling, off we rode on our way to Germany.  We had some good tail winds again, and whipped through the 45km to last night's campsite - a great little minicamping at Beerta - there was one other tent and a few RVs - so peaceful, right beside the canal.  A good sleep (though a bit colder than expected) was had by both of us, and we were on our way around 9.30am to cross the border into Germany and meet with Mike's bro and his wife for a couple of nights and a rest day in Leer.  And here I am now, sitting in the kitchen of our AirBnB listening to the washing machine with all my festy clothes in it go round and round - content with life. Ah.

Pit stop on the way to Beerta

Last night's campsite - with Rex the Robot Lawn Mower (who first made an appearance in our Hamster Blog 2 years ago) - that's Sally in the distance

Mike and our towels sun baking last night after our showers

The gang all meeting up today in Leer, Germany - Bob & Jen have been cycling in Germany for the last month - cycling runs deep in this family.

And of course, we then had lunch at a Spanish place - YUM YUM.

And then headed to our home for the next two nights - out in the burbs of Leer.  With a blessed washing machine.  Hail the washing machine.

Mike and Phil the Drone have something to add...

Yes... the Drone is fine and happily tracking us on our way towards Germany (and living life on the edge!)