Originally we came to Almere Haven for a rest day, maybe lunch on the harbour, but as it is less appealing than we thought and morning brings showers we decide to move on towards Apeldoorn.
The roadworks frustrate our departure as we are trying to take a scenic rout avoiding the motorway. Transitting Almerestad we see a street called David Niven Weg, followed successively by many names from the film industry, including Hitchcock, Marlene Dietrich and others.
Skirting Hardwijk there is a lot of building work in progress but soon we are back into countryside with tulip fields and wheat crops being sprayed by long gantries.
As we head east the woods get more dense, mostly silver birch with pale leaves.
Just outside Apeldoorn there is a police motorcyclist in a layby, then another and another. Police cars whizz past in convoy and at a crossroads a cluster of police vehicles are parked. We are waved to slow down by a group of armed officers, but not actually stopped but two armoured ‘black marias’ are parked and a posse of men is searching woodland line abreast.
On the other edge of town is the entrance to Hetloo Palace, garden and carriage museum which is a possible for visiting tomorrow.
A few miles further we find the aire at Vassen with two other motorhomes and a few fairground vehicles. Soon after lunch more fair trucks arrive and the motorhomes are required to leave so we make the short journey to the next village, Emst, and park. We are the only two vans in a space that could take 100, with a lovely view over farmland. Ali and Grete walk down to the recreation park to pay. It may be €5 when Vassen was free but it’s peaceful and restful.
Just what we wanted.