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. S...

First thing after leaving the site is to find fuel. The pumps at the garage in Abbenes won’t accept cards so we head toward Kaag only to find the garage in the sat nav is no longer there. We have to go in the opposite direction to our plans, all the way back into Lisse, to refuel. By now we’ve abandoned the windmills and set off for Almere Haven. The motorways are busy and nearing journeys end there are lots of roadworks which throw the satnavs into meltd...

Up very early and driving out of the site before 09:00 to visit the Keukenhof Gardens. We could write pages of superlatives, prose or horticultural definitives but there’s no point. If you’ve ever been, then you know. If you’ve never been, try to go. It’s simply the best display of flowers in the world - end of. PS. Don’t ask to see Ali’s photos, you may be some time...

After such a busy day yesterday we have a relaxed morning, before setting off for the 12 mile drive to the Cruquius Museum. Named after Nicolaus Samuel Cruquius, a land surveyor, the museum houses the largest steam engine in the world. Built in 1849 by Harvey of Hayle in Cornwall, its single cylinder is 3.66 metres diameter. The piston lifts a huge cast iron spider that is connected to 8 radial beams, driving 8 pumps supplied by Fox’s of Falmouth. Each pump ...

The camp is full of excitement this morning, everyone is here for the annual flower parade. Vans, cyclists and scooters all set off through the morning to their chosen viewpoints. Our taxi arrives at 12:30 but it’s a Vito minivan with high seats and Nick is dubious about being able to get in. Evelyn comes out of the office, says ‘You will go to the parade’. She has experience with disabled people, shows us a new lifting technique and we’re in. Origin...