Here we go again! Am off to Holland for six days staying in The Hague with another private group.
This time it is the local Fine Arts Society organised by Neil and Janetta Dobinson.
I only have one pick up in the Festival Hall car park at 07:30.
Before leaving the yard I meet Ray who is going to Stamford and Barnsdale Gardens today on one of our day excursions.
I arrive at the car park at 07:00.
We are away on time and soon on the motorway heading towards Folkestone and our shuttle to Calais.
We were originally booked on the 10:50 shuttle but that was changed to the 08:50 and then it was decided that the 10:50 would be our best option. When I rang the shuttle people I was told that the only change I could make was to the 09:20 as all the other crossings were full. I decided not to mention this to Neil as I was confident I could change the time in the two weeks leading up to the holiday.
I rang every day and managed to change to the 11:50 figuring it is better to turn up early than turn up late!
As I said I called every day and the last call was on Friday when I was once again told that all the bookings that morning were completely full.
I will have to take a chance.
We have an easy journey except for one junction on the M20 that is closed this weekend. The diversion is not long and we only lose about 5 minutes.
As I approach the ticket booths at the shuttle terminal I am trying to remain confident although I do have a certain feeling of apprehension.
I choose a booth that is operated by somebody (as opposed to the machines) and ask very nicely if it is possible to change to the 10:50.
“No problem” I am told “Take your pick it is very quiet!”
I asked him why I was told that everything was full and he had no answer.
When I drove to the terminal parking area I was the only coach parked there and there were less than 20 cars! Full my arse!The train departs on time and we arrive in Calais at 12:25 local time. Frome here I am off to Bruges again where the passengers are booked into a restaurant off the pretty T’Zand Square. Only it is not so pretty at the moment as it has a fantastic great fun fair covering every inch and beyond. It makes dropping off a bit of a challenge but they are soon on their way to lunch at the Belle Eppoque restaurant.
I find a quiet lay by to stop in to eat the roll I purchased at the railway station and listen to Chelsea play Newcastle.
Leaving Bruges at 15;30 we have a clear run to the border and even negotiate Antwerp without any difficulties.
As we approach Rotterdam all of the Den Haag signs have a yellow cross through them signifying the motorway must be closed up ahead. It is the A20 motorway, what is it with roads numbered 20?!
I am not sure which way to go but the sat nav has automatically directed me off the motorway and through Rotterdam to the other end of the motorway. Very clever and I promise not to bad mouth it again! We are fortunate it is a Sunday as there is very little traffic about and we only lose 7 minutes.
We arrive at our hotel, the Park Hotel, by 19:00. Well, we don’t exactly reach the hotel (that is impossible in a bus) but we stop nearby in a narrow road full of cyclists wanting to use the cycle lane I am parked in!The hotel has sent out a couple of men to help with the luggage as I walk to the reception to ask about parking.
I am lucky as there is one parking bay close to the hotel (10 minute walk away) and it is free, both in empty and cost.
The hotel is very nice and my room is lovely complete with walk in shower and free internet! The staff are extremely helpful.
The group are all going to a local restaurant for dinner and I tag along to enjoy a lovely meal.
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