Exploring different angles of Haarlem

 

Everyone felt a bit better today and certainly able to function. Chrissi and I demonstrated this in advance of the youngsters by going out for a run. I did a similar run to yesterday, a little bit longer at 4.5 miles and a little bit more comfortable.  The canal full of sights, rowers, wildlife, bridges, locks, and I did get out into the countryside a bit more than yesterday. Always a great way to explore, nodding to fellow runners en route and embracing the outdoors and breathing the continental air. To run, to travel, to live.

Certainly felt at one with the river and the temptation of a river cruise to much to resist. Chrissi wanted to do one in Amsterdam, appreciated this may be a slightly lighter weight version but would be to her liking.  Sadly for her it began and ended on boarding as our mad captain managed to shut her fingers in the door as she joined us in the well covered vehicle. Too well covered.  Really sad and the pain clear.

Tried to absorb some of the sights of Haarlem (its what she would have wanted) and in particular their former domed prison and one of their cathedrals.  Can a town have 2 cathedrals? It all got a bit confusing with our mad captain who was speaking in English but it all sounded Dutch to me, turns out there is just the one, but 2 separate churches have held the title, hard to keep up.  Was great to head in and around the canals, hiding places pointed under the bridges, houses of the rich and so much history.  

Carys keen to take a look inside the former cathedral (now the Bavo church) which was opposite our hotel and felt somewhat familiar from the regular bell tolls that even I had been using to keep time. The most interesting feature for me was a massive organ that Mozart had played on back in the day.

Still had some time to kill and Chrissi making a slow recovery, so a chance to look at the streets of Haarlem for one last time, no angels (surprising, considering all these cathedrals, or maybe not) but cheese and tulip shops to accompany our meandering.  Bought a few chunks of cheese for our travels and also (although I might have dreamt this) visited the Star Wars universe (my kind of angel) Albeit was Darth Vader outside one of the many coffee shops, reckon if the galactic empire had a toke or 2 Alderaan would still be around today.

And then it was time to check out of our hotel, we had got to know it quite well!  The one gripe I did have was they had put us above the party room on NYE (remember, I wasn't at my best) but vibrating room to thumping bass until 4 in the morning (with no apology when raised) far from ideal. Yes, I know it was New Years Eve, but they could have put the party people above the party room!

The connections to the airport were great, bus of 40 mins from Haarlem. Can so recommend this town, it had such a pleasant vibe and 15 minutes into Amsterdam. Well done Chrissi!  Schipol Airport massive, we found an airport lounge and enjoyed some good service on BA, being delayed by an hour so much more comfortable in business class eh?  Left the car with the drop off service at the Sofitel Hotel (Purple Parking) and that worked like a dream again, walk straight from Terminal 5. Heartily recommend, we need to know these things, as it won't be long before we head off again. I'll keep this blog open this year as can simply add as we go along. This has been perhaps a little more to the point than previous blogs, but I've not tended to do them for the city breaks before, but they provide an equally enjoyable reflection and scrapbook to look back on. See you soon, New York in Feb, can't wait ...