Back To Boskoop.

BOSKOOP.

The heavy overnight rain has eased and the German couple in the van next door promise sunshine by midday. Just as we arrive at Waddinxveen, the village before Boskoop, the sun appears as predicted, only one hour late.

Earlier Paul had mistaken a sailor for the cleaner in the bathroom much to the sailor's confusion. A maximum of 5 minutes is allowed for the shower. It doesn't sound long but after 3 minutes Paul was finished.

We fill where needed and empty the rest. We are travelling just after midday. A straightforward run on the motorways even taking in to account some confusing spaghetti junctions.

Most of the shops are shut in Waddinxveen, today is Ascension Thursday and as such is a bank holiday. Fortunately, the supermarkets opened at midday so we can stock up for tomorrow's ferry trip.

We arrive at Aileen's by 3pm. We then spend the next 8 hours' catching up. We enjoy cottage pie and fruit salad for dinner.

Their youngest son, Robert, joins us in the evening. He's taken a sabbatical to write 9 books about a mythical planet called Ephalon. He has finished 4 so far and they have been published. They are also available as an ebook.

Strange sensation when we return to the van for our toiletries. We can smell the wood in the motorhome for the first time since we set off last year.

It feels strange to be sleeping in a bed again. The house seems extra large in comparison to the confined space in the van.