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Introduction and Preparation

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We are planning 3 month trip this summer, so it seemed a good idea to get some practice in earlier.  The lovely "Brexit Benefit" that limits us to 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area ,which now unfortunately includes Romania and Bulgaria, means that if we want to go to Europe before this then we must be back by mid March, if we want to set off after mid June and have our full 90 days. So, our practice trip is going to be two weeks in early March, from Dunkirk through Belgium to Southern Holland (the Hague, Rotterdam, Delta etc.  We go there on the coastal route (hopefully with the wind behind us) and then return via a more inland route via Antwerp - taking a train for part to allow us more time to explore in the Netherlands. While we are in the Netherlands we hope to do the Zeiderpark Parkrun (one of the three Z park runs in the world), see some Architecture, visit some museums, and experience some wonderful cycling infrastructure.  Dunkirk to South Holland The Trip s...
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Departure Sunday 3rd March

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Time to go. But Su has not been well for a couple of days. Something she ate? Hopefully nothing more. She is better this morning although by no means perfect. She hasn’t eaten much for the last couple of days. But we are resolved to go anyway and hope she continues to improve.  Handed over  the house and cats to our Brazilian Trusted House-sitters and caught the early afternoon train to Dover via Waterloo/Waterloo East. Waiting  at Waterloo East (see the Shard behind?) for the train to Dover  This is my first ride on my Stanforth Kibo carrying anything more than a single day pannier. My panniers weigh in together at around 12 kgs and the front box has another 3kgs. So not too heavy. I’ve been pretty careful with clothes given the chilly March weather. I am hoping I don’t get wet through and need a complete change as I don’t have much!
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The Trip Log in Polarsteps

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  We have decided to go over to using Su's Polarssteps log for our trip logs from now on. This is because it is hard work blogging on a trip, especially if you have camping to organise when you arrive, and PolarSteps makes it much easier.  At present only one person can blog a trip or it gets confused (Polarsteps promise to solve this soon.  But for the moment we are using Su's blog, and I will add comments.) The Netherlands Trip Log is here: Anyone can follow it - in a browser. Click on Su's profile and select Follow. In addition, if you have the app  (available on iOS or Android) then you can become a registered user and get notifications of people's movements and add comments to the blog. Actial Route Our final route took us back via Antwerp - then train to Ostend, then back along the coast. The round trip was about 550km in the saddle (including tourism in Delft.Den Hague and Rotterdam).  Out travelling days varied between 43km for the shortest day and a cou...
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