We started the day with a 'breakfast chat' with Tim as it was his birthday. The connection was so clear, like having him at the table with us.
One of my 'must dos' when in the Netherlands was to visit the memorial at Bronbeek for the people who had died during WW2 from the Japanese occupation of Indonesia.This has the name of my Father's father - HW Schuyl - on it. Incidentally the same initials as Rick's. Both Rick and Rosie have also been here.


I had some trepidation about this. Also is a museum that gives more record of the brutality and extreme hardships that was suffered in the camps. However Mondays are closed so that option was not there for us. I am ok with that, just paying my respects was enough.The monuments to the men who died on the Burma Railroad, for the children who died in the camps and the women who had both themselves and their children in their care are moving and poignant. It is a beautiful and quiet setting and I felt that their memories are well respected.


It is about an hour and a half drive to Bronbeek, so on the way back we diverted through Arnhem and Staphorst. This is a very conservative area that has a distinctive house style. The green shutters and doors give the area its identity.
We saw a picture perfect windmill outside a restaurant so came to a screaming halt, backed up and had to take at least one picture of a windmill.

We had an appointment at the bike shop to take the campervan and check that we could fit the bikes in it for transporting back home to NZ. We also needed to see that we could get them onto the bike racks. This became a protracted and stressful exercise. BUT did result in us now being the proud (if not slightly nervous) owners of 2 new eletcric bikes!. It will open up a whole new dimension to our holidays there is so much to explore. The cycle tracks are excellent.

Alie had stayed home and prepared a meal of bahmie for us. Food of the gods, it was delectable.
So now our time in the NE Netherlands comes to a close. We have had a pretty comprehensive look at the beautiful scenery, the different styles of housing, the fabulous villages, different land uses etc. But most of all we have such a lovely time with Hans and Alie. The friendliness of the people here is a pleasure to do things and make this adventure all the more enjoyable. We are getting more au fait with the very many rules on the road. Unfortunately Hans tells us each area has its own variation, so another set to come to terms with soon.