We woke to grey, windy skies so instead of heading out early we rolled over and had a Sunday sleep in! We finally got out the door at about 11 and rode north to the Amsterdam-Sloterdijk train station to begin our journey to Haarlem and Zandvoort. Taking bikes on a train was a new experience but after a couple of elevator rides and eventually just carrying our bikes down to the platform, we were on our way.

Twenty minutes later we were in Haarlem and following the signs to the centre. There we found a beautiful square (Grote Markt), town hall and church (Grote Kerk). The church was really cool...it has a pipe organ that Mozart played when he was 10. It is said to be one of the finest in Europe. The floor of the church is made from large paving stones under which the city's wealthy were buried. Even though embalmed, they still stunk, giving rise to the term "stinking rich"! The church also has a cannonball embedded in the wall from a siege by the Spanish in the 1500s. Rod is not a big fan of churches but he really liked this one!

After a wander around the town and its canals, we hopped on our bikes and headed to Zandvoort, a resort town on the North Sea. Our ride took us through the picturesque outskirts of Haarlem and through a national park with sand dunes covered in unique vegetation. After 45 minutes we arrived in Zandvoort and headed to the beach. It is sort of like Long Beach only not so rugged and with lots of cabanas for rent, a casino, and a 'naturist' section (which we did not go to!). After lunch and a stroll along the beach, it was time to head to the station and back to Amsterdam.

Back in the big city, we returned our bikes, purchased a transit pass and hopped on a tram to Anne Frank House Museum. Even at 6:30 the lines were really long so we decided to go for a nice dinner out (a splurge we don't do often). We chose one of Rick Steves' suggestions and once again we weren't disappointed. We were able to sit outside along a quiet canal and the food and service were excellent. The tables were very close together so we ended up talking to our neighbours who were from New Zealand and Texas. It was all very enjoyable.

After dinner we strolled through quiet back streets, seeing residents enjoying dinner al fresco on their front steps and sidewalks. Eventually, back at our flat, it was time to do some laundry (hand washing) as I don't think they would let us on the train for the excursion we have planned for tomorrow! We have to get an early start tomorrow so it's bedtime for me.