June 4th Newcastle to IJmuiden

DFDS ferry Newcastle to IJmuiden

An Adventure before Dementia

Hermione Hymer sporting her new boots left Freuchie for Newcastle at 9.00 am sharp. A gentle drive to Newcastle was the prelude to a very positive experience of DFDS hospitality. Persuaded at check in to upgrade to Commodore plus, our cabin was truly spacious and luxurious.


The dinner buffet was extensive and had a good range and choice. A bit expensive at €35 euros but most enjoyable. Breakfast was "complementary" and first class. What had threatened to be a fairly unpleasant start to proceedings had turned into a very enjoyable night.

At 09.30 we set off from IJmuiden without a "good" map to follow the A9 to junction 1 to our campsite - Gaasper Camping Amsterdam. We found it easily enough - Dutch road signs seem to be very clear - as was the traffic policeman when he turned us back telling us that there were no vacancies at the campsite. Oh bother!!

Ola Globetrotter

Dam square Central Amsterdam 

A beer in Durgerdam

The plan B alternative was on the other side of Amsterdam.

 Plucking up courage I telephoned to discover that there were only  two vacancies - there is a festival in Amsterdam this weekend.

Half an hour later we were set up looking out over Lake Kinsel. Sometimes you just land on your feet. Camping de Badhoeve is a lovely site with fantastic views and good facilities.

 Hermione Hymer is parked alongside a Spanish van. We have had conversations in halting Spanish with lots of smiles.

Central Amsterdam

This afternoon we cycled the 10 kms or so into Amsterdam centre. It was a beautiful ride along well maintained dedicated bike tracks. The greatest danger was from the hordes of other cyclists. There were literally hundreds of them. Bikes with babies on board bikes with two children on board. The vast majority were "sit up and beg" type bikes ridden by cyclists of all shapes and sizes.

Tomorrow we plan to take the "hop on hop off" canal bus to see the sights of Amsterdam. Our initial impressions are of the vast amounts of water and of the hordes of cyclists and the laid back attitude of the Dutch.