You may be wondering about the asterisk in my blog title…
I don’t know if I had some sort of episode or stroke while booking my hotel for tonight, but I landed slightly short of target. I am in Hilvarenbeek*, an inconsequential little Dutch town, 9 km south of Tilburg.
The ride was long so in the end I wasn’t terribly upset to stop 9 km earlier than expected.
Nothing very eventful occurred on the road today other than me going in and out of complaining about the length of the ride and then mentally kicking myself for complaining, remembering how lucky I am and how beautiful the surroundings are. This inner dialogue sort of went on ad nauseam.
I saw many animals today. A horse that looked like a zebra, a horse in a zebra coat, llamas with dreadlocks, ponies with a fringe (bangs) just like mine! And, of course, cows. There was one leg of the journey that truly smelled like fried cheese. It was magical.
Once I finally stopped for a real break, probably 60 km in, I was reminded once again I need to take more breaks. It’s far more enjoyable. I had chocolate milk in a CAN! What!?
There were dark clouds looming later in the afternoon and it did rain once or twice. Thankfully, rain in the Netherlands lasts about five minutes and – as I was cycling – I got out of the rain patches quickly.
Part of the reason I hastily booked this hotel last night was because it was a great deal. When I cycled up to the place I understood why. It’s decent enough but there is a general sense of filth.
When I entered my room, so looking forward to bathing after the long ride, I couldn’t locate a shower of any kind. Nor a toilet. The room is the size of a closet with a cot bed. Fine enough, I’m no princess (I can feel you rolling your eyes, reader), but I wouldn’t mind some personal plumbing!
I scampered down the hall to the shower and then immediately readied myself to take the 28 minute bus ride into Tilburg to look around and to get dinner.
Tilburg has left me a little underwhelmed as well. It’s fine enough as far as Dutch cities go, but it lacked a certain charm and warmth. I had dinner at a quiet little place outside the centre and then headed to the main station to bus back.
So, I am back in my closet of a room and will soon be lying like a limp noodle in my single cot bed. I will dream of pickled herring and stroopwafels as tomorrow I am off to Delft – just in time for the Thursday market (and Karaoke night)!
Tilburg to Delft is a long journey so there may be a bit of train thrown in the mix. Time will tell.
DOTD
I have failed to produce a dog photograph today, despite several cuties spotted. How about a Zebra Horse?
An Idiot Broad Abroad 