We left our bed and breakfast after sleeping in till 7am unheard of but we were off early as the long anticipated rain was due to arrive at least 20mm of it.We had slept with the big windows wide open in spite of the rain as the house had a musty smell to it.Tim did open the window in the breakfast foom aswell which wasnt appreciated by our host,Eric.Eric then said he was trying to fix a rising damp problem as the bricks absorb water and he needs to piut a new damp proof course in but the bed and breakfast had been too booked up! So that was the musty smell good job we had all the windows open.A scenic ride out along canals past windmills however a significant diversion delayed our progress. The sky in the distance was turning menancingly dark.We donned rain gear but then we were peddling through puddles the rain had been and gone to this area.Rain gear off.We diverted into the town of Zoutermeer for a coffee break.

We passed appartment blocks galore no quaint market square appeared but there was a sign by a multi storey parkjng lot saying stadthart, ie city centre.We entered a shopping mall with a small square with a statue and fountain this was the town centre.We opted for coffee at bagel and beans.The waitress was lovely she said nobody comes to visit Zoutemeer! She was studying at Leiden unjversity where lectures are in Dutch but the books are in english.After a bagel and coffee/tea for me and all the staff wishing us a good trip we were off again.Breakfast had been very scant at the bed and breakfast our first jam and bread roll experience plus 1 slice of cheese each.

We headed off into the green route seeing as rain wasn’t forthcoming and came across an old watermill.It was open to the general public for national monument day.A very cute round house the water wheel which used to maintain water levels in the fields was no longer there but where it had been was huge.Pumping stations (run at times on green electrical energy ) now keep the water levels constant out of the low lying lands-polders, independent water boards have managed the Netherlands water since the 11th century.We cycled past green energy production -fields full of solar panels plus wind turbines.

It was a good route through forests and along canals with the spire of Delft New Church visible in the distance. When we arrived in Delft the main square was packed everyone taking advantage of free entry to the Town Hall and the Old church 1050 and the New Church built 1350.We parked our bikes up and joined the crowds incredible how these monuments were built so long ago when Delft had a poulation of only 6000.The New Church had the crypt of the assinated William of Orange plus members of the royal family who have died since.Famous explorers such as Piet Hein could be found there also whilst the Old church had the artist Johannes Vermeer buried there.The old church was equally impressive and very peaceful with organ music and choristers singing for visitors.

It was off to our hotel our room overlooking a canal and the bell tower of the Old Church, very scenic but….Yes the bell chimes every half hour plus the number of the time on the hour.We request a change of room but the hotel is full.It is like torture.We have booked for 2 nights here to see all the sights and relax.The hotel have offered us a move around the corner tomorrow where the bell is less deafening we hope.

A pleasant day seeing the sights of Delft, canals , back streets, live bands in the street and a few hours in the Vermeer experience learning about Vermeers techniques well you never know when you might turn your hand at art, Tim is far more skilled in that department.!!

Tomorrow its off cycling to the Hook of Holland the ferry awaits us Tuesday and Wednesday we will be cycling through London when Queen Elizabeths coffin makes its way to Westminster..It would be wonderful to see the procession and acknowledge the historical moment but Im not sure having a bicycle with full panniers amongst crowds would exactly be ideal!