Bordeaux - Den Haag, Holland, Sunny, 16

It's A Long Way From Santiago

We trained up from Bayonne to Bordeaux yesterday morning and then spent the afternoon strolling around town, taking in a few of the sights. As it was Sunday so most of the sights were shut including the wine tasting place recommended by David.

However, undeterred we stopped for a glass of what else, but A Bordeaux rouge. 

I know many people really like Bordeaux, but I've always found it a bit monochromatic, especially when it's cloudy. The buildings in the center are ALL the same sand stone colour and my eye gets fatigued very quickly. Better on a sunny day, but not a whole lot. I'll wait for the hate mail to come in:)

I looked hard for some colour, but with many shops closed it was a bit hard to come by.

For sure there are some interesting buildings here...the Ibis hotel where we stayed wasn't really one of them! A cookie cutter hotel, but predictable and ok for a night or two, especially if you're out all day and you come back after dark;)

It was Run For The Cure weekend globally and it was no different in France, so there were lots of folks in the downtown area. The bistros and cafes were very busy...so many places to eat and drink. Somehow they seem to survive.

The cathedral is always good for a short visit. It's certainly big enough and I do like the stain glass windows. 

There was an interesting art show inside. We've seen that before, but it's not the norm, so enjoyed that.

There were a few good Camino references around. This has been on a feeder Camino route for centuries. 

And before I could get too monochromed out, we flew up to Amsterdam this morning. We caught the city bus out to the airport...cheapest way at €1.50 each and then had another marvellous 2 hour Easy Jet flight to Amsterdam where we were greeted by Erin who is here for the next two years on a research grant. A fun reunion! Caught the train from the airport to Den Hauge, just 40 minutes away.

We hadn't all been in Holland at one time since 2000, though we have all been here fairly often the past 4 years. Erin went to work and we went off to find dinner supplies and take in a few sights in the city of the World Court.

A bike parking lot. There are 5 bikes here for every car! Bikes all over the place!!

Shopping completed we have retired to our digs to do laundry, check in online and will eventually make dinner. 2 kgs of muscles!! 

A nice place it is too! Comes with a washing machine so as many clothes as we can spare from our humble pile are in the wash!  Looking forward to some fun in Holland! Now to check in on the MANU -Liverpool game! Right Ariel?! Ben will be holding the line in Canada:)