3 Generations of Davies let loose! An upgrade to bigger bikes, the follow me tandem no longer an option so we decided to trial our new set ups on the perfect bike paths of Holland and Belgium. A short ferry from Dover to Dunkirk.  We were soon on our way and with blue skies and tail winds we decided to head up the coast towards Zeeland.  

Super smooth and easy bike paths with …

perfect picnic spots. It felt good to be back on our bikes. 

Luckily for now the wind was going our way!

A couple of Surly’s, an Isla, a Thorn, an Argos and a pile of pannier bags! On average we cycled 30 to 40 miles a day which worked well. 

We hadn’t  booked any campsites as we didn’t really know where we would be each night, nearly everywhere was full when we arrived but helpful owners always managed to find us a spot and on a couple of occasions  didn’t even charge us! We had planned to use warm showers (A cycling versions of couch surfing) on this trip but unfortunately of the 8 requests we sent we only had two replies and both were unavailable to host us. Which was a shame as without any real route planned we were hoping for some local cycle knowledge. Luckily with the extensive cycle network across Holland and Belgium we found lovely routes …

and cycling all day means you are happy to sleep well anywhere!  

The coastal route took us along a section that featured on the 2nd stage of the 2015 Tour de France and a photo opportunity …

I think they both deserved first place!

Up early and peaceful morning rides along the coast …

 

finishing with beach gymnastics …

sunsets and …

 

finding  treasures.

This one definitely won the comedy prize!

The skies stayed blue and …

fueled by delicious Appelkruimelrondo …

and plenty of chocolate milk …

 we headed inland to make our way into Belgium. 

Zierikee, Holland. I was a little nervous about how Pippi would be cycling through busy  towns on the opposite side of the road without the help of the follow me tandem but with plenty of cycle paths and a little help from google maps it all went well! 

Mia always happy to be cycling towards a town if it means a chance for shopping! 

Photo credit Pippi Willow!

Our first grey day and a ferry ride on a lovely old fishing boat from Zujpe to Sluis, a very choppy windy crossing but thankfully only short. 

Gamps and Pips.  Wet weather gear on! Luckily the sun was out again by the time we put up the tents. 

Even after cycling all day still plenty of energy for go kart races! 

..and trampolining!

The roadside animals as always a highlight. 

Farmyard friends!

Bergen op Zoom. Holland. Our last stop before crossing the border to Belgium and onto…

beautiful Antwerp, and the best thing about cycle touring…

..local delicacies. You can’t go wrong with Belgium waffles and ice cream! 

Saint Charles Borromoe Church, Antwerp. We had arrived in the middle of Antwerp Pride so there was a lovely buzz in the town and on the night of the churches which meant all the churches were open until 11pm and free to visit. 

Nello and Patrasche. by Batist Vermeulen. 

There is an excellent water taxi that takes you right to the centre of Antwerp from just by the campsite. 

A very well signposted Fietsostrada F4 takes you along an old railway from Antwerp and we soon found ourselves in Ghent.

Ghent is really lovely with its big imposing churches but then narrow medieval streets, perfect for getting lost in although in 35c a lot of the time was spent looking for shade and ice creams . Luckily next to the camping in Ghent there is a huge swimming lake and although we had to share it with most of Belgium it was a perfect place to keep cool!  

Back on the bikes and along the canal towards Bruges. The girls carried their own sleeping mats and bags, Mia took her own clothes and books, Pippi a bag of games and teddies! 

The joys of cycle paths! 

The way to Bruges. 

Perfect Camping Memling in Bruges. Here we decided to take a couple of day to explore, in the day we found the town very busy so spent time wandering in the woods by the campsite.

Unfortunately no good swimming spots but plenty of..

climbing practice in the exercise park!

Little monkeys! 

They even managed to find the tree they had carved their names in 6 years before. 

Mia Molly and Pip Willow .

Although very busy in the day an absolute delight to visit in the evenings and cycle around the canals. 

The peaceful Bruges Beguinage. A convent founded in 1245 and still inhabited today. 

With beautiful buildings at every turn….

.. lots of windmills..

and of course plenty of places so sample wonderful Belgium beers!

We had a lovely couple of days here. 

Homeward bound,  heading back towards the coast. 

The essentials for a nine year old’s cycle touring handlebars! A full snack bag, ( containing sea shells as well as snacks)  a bell and an extra loud horn, light for evening rides, speedometer to help set a pace and any feathers/grasses you might find on the way! 

Back to Dunkirk. Sad to be heading home but happy to have started a new chapter and know this is hopefully  just the start of many more cycle adventures together. 

These two cycled just over 350 miles in ten days. It was great to see them enjoy something that we love doing so much and especially with them. 

Time to start planning the next trip!!

 Holidays!