It took me six legs of public transport to arrive at the Loetbos forrest. Today is the day after a big storm has passed northwest Europe; there is still a lot of wind, all in the back for the hiker who follows the trail eastbound.

In the first half hour after the start there are a few raindrops, for the rest of the day it remains dry. Although I am not very far from home (approx 120km) I am very strict on the gear that I brought with me, and that did not include a rainjacket. The scenery is extremely flat, lots of meadows with long, small canals in between. The roads are very straight. The roads are small, no specific space or paths for bicycles or pedestrians. Fortunately the car drivers keep the pace modest while passing by. 

typical views in Holland

After 18 kilometers the trail passes the small city of Schoonhoven; it does not cross any of the old town’s centre but goes straight to the ferry.

arriring in Schoonhoven

This one crosses the river continuously, there are quite a few cars, byciclists and pedestrians that use it, together with myself. On the other riverbank the trail leads southeast to the traditional village of Nieuwpoort. This is not the Nieuwpoort that all Dutch schoolchildren are being taught about in history classes (1600 Battle at Nieuwpoort), when the Dutch kicked out the Spanish worldpower. However this Nieuwpoort is also constructed in a defensive way; it still has the traditional star shapped city walls. The trail follows these and leaves the city southbound. 

The landscape is, continuously, very Hollands.

autumn in the Netherlands

The last 20 kilometers of this stage are crossing the meadows and fields; fortunately the soil (which has a high % of clay) is dry. I appreciate to walk on raods (so I don’t have to watch my feet at every step) but this is the contrary. It is nice to cross, what we call, nature passing meadows with cows and sheep, passing small canals with ducks and other waterbirds. 

standard scenery in Holland

At the end of the afternoon, when the twilight sets in, I arrive in the village of Lexmond. In the local cafeteria I order a Patatje Oorlog (French Fries War), of which they never heard of. It’s named over here Patatje Hopeloos (French Fries Hopeless). Hiking in the Netehrlands is good.