12th – 17th September

Leaving Berlin after a late-ish breakfast with Regina, we drove across Germany on their excellent motorways. Although we cannot go as fast as the high powered cars it was good to cruise at a constant speed and not be held up by traffic lights and stop signs all the time. We decided we would spend the day trying to do as many km’s as we could as wanted to spend as much time with our new friends Hilly & Oene at Drachten, Friesland as we could. So after an overnight stop at a campsite we made our way to the small campsite Hilly had told us about in a small village near Drachten. They live in a block of units in a small street so there was nowhere to stay near them.

First thing we do is get lost in the small village, our gps took us almost there and then it told us to turn right and then it said in 200m………..? nothing. We are looking at all the houses and small streets and thinking what is going on. We found a place to park (not easy in a small dutch street with a 7m camper) and phoned Hilly. Well they thought it was funny so we waited for them to arrive and direct us to the small harbor with the campsite. (Gps should have said turn left) After parking our camper and grabbing some gear we hopped into their car and we were taking to their home.

We had a pleasant afternoon reacquainting ourselves and while this was happening we were able to use Hilly’s washing machine.

We spent a lovely weekend with the van de Brug’s, Saturday we walked into the town shopping area and watched some Sea shanty singing groups, (a tradition of the area) visiting their daughter and partners house renovation, then eating at a lovely Asian restaurant Saturday night, then Sunday we had lunch with the family then drove to the largest still operating steam driven water pump and walking along the side of the Ijsselmeer then spending time with their family for the evening meal. We had such a lovely time and it was so nice to sit around a table with all the family talking and being made to feel a part of it. (felt almost like being home with our own family)

Then all too soon it’s time to leave and we were taken back to the camper for the night to leave the next morning. (but it’s not goodbye, just see you later as we now have “family” in Friesland.)

Monday we headed south and drove to Apledoorn, Ewout had looked up a caravan/ camper wrecker/spare parts and we were looking to replace a window that has cracked. In the end, it was a bit of a waste of time, it certainly wasn’t the type of wreckers we are used to and the guy had very little. We stayed in a campground in Apeldoorn then headed towards Hengelo where we were going to visit Ewout’s cousin Mike and later his uncle Eddie.

It was good to catch up with Mike as we had such a nice time last year in Spain and after another very nice meal out we drove to visit his father Eddie. Unfortunately Eddie is not looking too well, and even though he enjoyed our visit you could tell it was difficult for him and it was wearing him out. With promises to visit next year we left Ewout’s last remaining uncle.

The night we spent next to a botanic garden in their large carpark, it was very quiet and we fell asleep to the pitter pat of rain on the roof.

So now it’s Friday and we have spent two nights at the Munsterland campground quite close to Oelde where we are expected for the weekend. We are really looking forward to visiting the Motski family again whom made us feel very welcome last year and we now consider “old friends”.