Introduction and Preparation

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 shown is about 250 km and we are hoping to do that in 4 days.  The route is along the coast and includes 2 ferries and some long causeways.  We will then spend a long 4 day weekend of tourism in the area, setting back from Rotterdam on the Tuesday afternoon, getting to Antwerp on Wednesday, then on Thursday we would catch a train to Ostende then cycle to Niewport, and on Friday get to Dunkirk in time to catch a late afternoon ferry.   The train is necessary if we are going too have time for tourism and park running while we are there.

When we get back to Dover, we will do the Parkrun there as well.

That's the plan!

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