After parking our bicycles in a dedicated building on our visit to Haarlem and seeing the dumbfoundingly huge bike storage racks at Amsterdam Centraal station, I began to realise why The Netherlands are renowned for cycling. The country really is as flat as a pancake, and covered with smooth, wide and well-tended bike paths that criss-cross the landscape. Naturally - as with all things outdoorsy and mildly active - we decided to make a day of it. Many days of it actually. Our travels led us to quiet little coastal towns coming out of Winter hibernation, sparsely populated windswept hills overlooking the sea (where Sjane enjoyed another of her spontaneous stretch and exercise workouts), and lively townships where locals pop down the street on their bikes for some flowers or a loaf of grainy sourdough. We would occasionally spot some deer (Bambi!) grazing in a small clearing adjacent to the road or pass and old local church chiming the hour. We'd cruise past kids cycling to hockey practice (gear slung over their shoulder, stick in hand and decked out in their Orange gear) whilst nibbling on dropje along the way (Dutch licorice for the uninitiated). We stopped at frits shops for broodje croquettes (deep fried and crumbed beef ragout with a bread bun) or frits met mayo (hot chips with mayonnaise)... Not remotely healthy but so freaking yummy! Add to this a couple of tasty ice creams and you can probably imagine that the diet isn't going great, but spirits are at an all-time high nevertheless. This is the life! A bicycle and blue skies in Holland has to be one of life's simplest and greatest pleasures.

It would be remiss of me to not thank Bart, Lida, Tim and Ilse for the repeated loan of their bicycles during our stay in Overveen. That, and of course the sightseeing, accommodation, food, drinks, laughs etc. etc. The list goes on! Don't worry Ilse, you can have your room back soon!