June 8 (email to Fam)

Last evening (June 7)

I checked in at my reservation last evening at 5:00 PM, got a key then returned to the harbor to find some food. I was quite hungry. Fish and chips, two Amstels, and an ice cream cone later I felt better. It was nice eating on the water front watching the tourist scurry about. Also, very cute boy sitting next to an Interesting statue on a bench.

Got back to my overnight, showered and studied the route for the next day, watched some TV, and went to bed.

Today (June 8)

I had a good rest last night. When I waked I saw that it rained overnight and was cool and threatening rain. I dressed for it.

I departed Volendam this morning at about 8:30. I had more trouble finding my way out of the small town of Edam than Amsterdam. Some of my route directions were out of synch with the actual signs. I arrived at the town of Alkmaar at about 1:00 PM. I checked in at the TI and got directions for the library for internet access, then I found a place to have lunch at the town square. I have pedaled 45 Kilometers, and will continue on another 5 - 10 for my planned overnight in Bergon.

The scenery today has been mostly open farms with small villages and many windmills along the way. I stopped in a small village at 10:00 AM and got an applebak and Koffe.

The day has been cloudy cool, and a pretty good wind out of the West. Of course, I'm headed West! The good news is no rain.

I've learned to use the KP

(Knooppunt) network of route intersections to find my way. When things don't make sense in my route sheet, I head for the KP number that makes sense and usually end up where I'm supposed to. I have done some backtracking and redirecting, but that’s part of the challenge. The important thing is that I am getting to my destinations.

I am scheduled to check in at my accommodation between 4 and 5 this afternoon.

That's all for now.