Gouda

Moving on from Delft,  we arrive at a very small campsite on a farm outside Gouda. OK, it was 6 miles from Gouda, and only accessible via a single track road which was perched on the top of a dyke. Needless to say,  our stress levels were tested to the limit during that 6 mile drive.

On arrival at the campsite we were told that there was nobody at reception for the whole weekend and that we should find a pitch that was not reserved and settle in. This we did. On speaking to some other, very friendly, campers, this was quite normal…a very “hands-off” style of campsite management.

Camping de Mulderije was out in the sticks; no street lighting, no noise apart from the odd tractor. The nearest village with a shop is about 2 miles away so it’s on the bikes to get something for dinner, stopping at a farm shop on the way back to buy some cherries.

A view from my room …we had a great view across the fields.

Although small, the campsite lacked nothing in the way of facilities apart from somewhere to dump our dirty water. The showers were hot and the toilets were nice and clean.

Across the fields,  we were entertained by a resident kestrel almost permanently hunting above the adjacent fields. We also saw buzzards, herons and even a stork flying above the fields, and rabbits (hares?) darting about. We also spotted some hot air balloons flying in the distance. What a treat and all this for the princely sum of €17 per night.

On the Sunday we cycled the 6 miles into Gouda. There was very little traffic on the road apart from bicycles. Bicycles,  bicycles everywhere, frequently with 1 or 2 small passengers aboard. The occasional bike with a kiddies car seat complete with infant in its front carrier.

Gouda town square – click on the photo to see the other photos we took in and around Gouda

Gouda is a pretty town, it has a City Hall that dates back to the 15th century; the Thursday cheese market that we missed, and more canals. It looks like every town in the Netherlands has its canals.

Next morning, having still failed to find anyone to pay our site fees to- no answer at the farmhouse door, which was wedged open, we put the cash in a makeshift envelope, and parcel taped it to the inside of a drawer in reception. Happily, they emailed us later to thank us for the cash.