The Ruddy Duck On Tour

In Alkmaar for the weekly market. The traditional cheese market is on too!

It's very thirsty work, this waddling round markets - so it's time for a radler break!

Today we went to the market in Schagen. Had a coffee in the town square and bought these huge cinnamon cookies from one of the stalls.

Afterwards, we topped up the groceries before heading back to base for a day of rest!

We did a big tour yesterday. Totally exhausted by the end, so I'm only posting today!

We did the steam tram from Hoorn to Medemblik. Had a wonder round the Bakery Museum, the artistry of the sugar work was amazing. Plus looking at the different moulds for chocolates, ice-cream, butter etc was so interesting. We also stopped by a cheese shop, we found out that Dutch cheese turns lactose free as it ages!

Our next journey was by a historic ship to Enkhuizen. We stopped by the Zuiderzee museum. It's a huge folk museum. We only managed to see less than half of it before we got too tired to continue!

Found a bar beside the train station for a radler and a rest.

We're definitely going back to Enkhuizen to see the rest of the Zuiderzee museum!

Out and about today on the island of Texel. The thunderstorm is due to start soon, so we are grabbing a bite to eat before the ferry home!

On the Texel heading ferry at 10am. Stopped in Oudeschild for a dander and breakfast.

Next we visited Ecomare . I got to meet the seals, one said hello and another posed for a pic with me!

Then we went to Den Burg to nosey round the shops, though we didn't buy much!

Now for snacks!

We'd a busy day today.

Left base around 10am to cross the d**e from Den Oever to Zurich. Called in at Sneek to go for a nosey around the shops. Found this basket of geese heading to market, I'm so glad I'm loved!

Got some truffles from a wee bakery in Sneek. They're super tasty!

Then we went to Batavia Stad Fashion Outlet for a nosey! Stopped for a drink and looked through the shops.

Now back at base.

So my 2nd day in The Netherlands was just as exciting!

First thing was breakfast, we've a nicely stocked bread drawer for me to nibble on.

Next, as we've friends coming to visit, we checked out where our nearest train station is in Schagen. Of course we had to try out our nearest supermarkets to.

When we stopped for fuel, this beautiful Mustang pulled in beside us. I just had to get my picture with it.

After a quick pitstop at base for lunch, we went to Den Helder for a Sunday drive. There are some beautiful marinas and boat clubs in the city. We stopped by one to say hoi!

After all that adventure, we found a beautiful restaurant beside the ferry port in Den Helder. We had coffee and bitterballen!

Once back at base, we'd a dander through the cherry orchard. The trees had loads of cherries but they're not quite ripe yet.

I'd a great first day in the Netherlands!

Stopped in Leiden to go for a dander round the market. Got to taste fresh stroopwaffles, sniff some cheese and try on a clog (it might work as a boat for me!).

Then we stopped for brunch at Vooraf en Toe . Had a coffee and pain perdu on their barge. Super tasty.

Stopped at Albert Heijn in Alkmaar to lift groceries. Found an interestingly named bottle of wine tho!

Now safely at our house for the next few weeks. We're enjoying a snack filled evening and watching TV.

Looking forward to tomorrow's adventures!

Great night's sleep after a wee drink with my pals.

Now out getting a good breeze before we get back into the car for our last leg. Gonna stop somewhere for a nosey on the way up the country.

I'll share my pics later!

Goedemorgen Nederland!

More delays!

I pray all the people involved are safe and that the police officers get home safely.

A14 , opening again now.

Listen to the SatNav they said.

It knows the way!

Hmmph, I'll let you know when I've escaped middle England!!!

And we're off!!

Thanks Stena for the VID (Very Important Duck) treatment, I'm loving my perch in the Hygge lounge!

Now time for coffee and breakfast before a nap, then there's the 9 hour drive to our next ferry!

Netherlands here we come!

We're completing our first leg with a beautiful sunrise!

Shame about the almost 2 hour delay but I don't think I could swim the Irish Sea before the ferry could get us to Scotland!

12 days to go!

There's a Dutch bloke that's well known 'round my home pond. My friend say the orange lily is his famous flower!

The Netherlands loves orange too.

Maybe I need to get a wee sash to show my Dutch love?

What do you think?

Only 13 days til the Dutch adventure begins.

I can almost see the canal flowing by the tall, narrow houses and windmills.

Now it's the final countdown in Northern Ireland before we hit the road!