After a quiet restful day on site again yesterday we awake to rain, take things slowly and set off around 11:00.
The route we planned takes us through Oosterbeek and the edge of Arnhem and over the motorway bridge which gives us views of the famous John Frost Bridge, scene of the repelled allied landings in 1944, up river. Because Arnhem has low emmission zones the detour to cross over ‘a Bridge Too Far’ would be longer than we want.
Soon after leaving Arnhem the hills [small as they are] and woods give way to flatter, open countryside again. At Oosterhout-Nijmegen we turn west along the north bank of the river Waal. The road is effectively single track, with a cycle lane on each side, but wide enough for two cars to pass. Barges and boats match us for pace as we meander along the top of the dyke, with farmland and substantial houses to our right. Near Dodewaard we turn away from the river through more farmland to Andelest where we join the A15 motorway for a spell, cross the river and head for Echteld and Apeltern. We find the camperplaats on the edge of De Gouden Ham lake.
Ali phones the number at the barrier and it is raised for us to drive a few hundred yards to the lakeside. Across the water are islands thick with trees. We watch geese, grebes and ducks fly or swim about as we have soup then Ali and Grete walk back to the restaurant to pay for our stay.
We manage to tune into Radio 5 to listen to the Baku Grand Prix, an eventful race won by Hamilton after the Red Bulls crash into each other, Vettel makes a mistake after the safety car restart and Bottas loses the lead with a puncture.
The afternoon brightens though it remains cool but it’s a peaceful spot with good views.