Tortoise and the Hare

Netherlands (Friesland): Stage 05 Sneek to Leeuwarden 37 Km (Sun 16 July 2023)

Weather: 15⁰C min – 21⁰C max, partly cloudy, 40 kph wind

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“I cycle. I am slower than a herd of tortoises stampeding through peanut butter, but I cycle.”

When I awoke to rain falling on my window and a rainbow 🌈 in the sky I was filled with dismay, and the forecast of 40 km winds did not help my mood.

To make matters worse Sunday in Sneek is so quiet there were no food places open to buy food, so I had to make do with dried apricots and walnuts washed down with a cup of tea. This was enough to sustain me for 10 km until I came to a tiny town called Boazum (about 400 people). To my surprise there was a cafe with a roadside sign saying “Open” so I stopped and asked if they served breakfast. Gwenda replied that the only food she had was some of her homemade apple pie and a continental cake, so I ordered both and a cappuccino … the perfect breakfast. Gwenda was very friendly and we chatted for ages.

My mood swung around, even more so when I found that the wind was behind me most of the way. Pedalling has never been easier, cruising along in top gear on the smooth paths and quiet country roads. I was more like a hare than a tortoise today!

Every day I am amazed by the cycling infrastructure and culture here in the Netherlands. It hasn’t always been like this though. My daughter Sophie pointed me to this very interesting article explaining how cycling utopia was achieved here … How The Netherlands Built a Biking Utopia. Or you might prefer to watch this video … YouTube – Biking Utopia.

I could see storm clouds all around, but somehow I arrived in Leeuwarden without getting wet. Leeuwarden is the capital city of the province of Friesland and is a charming old city. It was founded in the 10th century and has many shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as several parks and green spaces.

Friesland has won me over … this cycling tour is turning out to be most enjoyable.