We throughly enjoyed our last meal out, and the most luxurious of the trip. It was a lovely warm evening so we sat outside. The service was generally good and the food was delicious, but unfortunately we had to wait 45 minutes between courses!
In the morning, we got up relatively early and put our running gear on. From the campsite, it was a 15 minute walk through the park to the start of Zonnestraal Parkrun. We’d chosen to do a Parkrun named with a Z because we’re trying to complete the alphabet of Parkruns. There aren’t many Zs in the world but 3 in the Netherlands, with this one only having started 6 weeks ago. The run was on a beautiful trail through forest and heath, and we both enjoyed it, although it was rather hot.
After a shower and breakfast, we left the campsite and drove two hours south to Brielle, which I’d found when looking for somewhere to spend a couple of hours before heading to the ferry port. It stood out on the map because of its wide blue moat zig zagging around the fortifications… a wide earth rampart punctuated by nine prominent bastions.
We parked up and walked along the moat, where a heron was fishing, and went into the town through one of the fortified gates. Then we climbed steps onto the ramparts to walk along the top.
We passed a windmill, cannons and old powder store before reaching the canal and harbour where we stopped for a beer in the sunshine.
Then we meandered through the town, admiring the old buildings, including the huge cathedral, before we paused for an ice cream… very tasty and very welcome in the heat of the afternoon.
Brielle was definitely a good place to stretch our legs and wile away some time, with plenty to see. It also helped that there was a large car park just outside the town ramparts, that was suitable for motorhomes.
Back at Molly, we relaxed for a hour or so before driving to catch the ferry at Hoek of Holland. In the queue, John cooked pizzas for our tea, while I edited my photos, then it was time to check in. We were one of the first to board and had settled down with a drink in the bar by 20.00… two hours before the ship departed to Harwich!
The crossing was smooth and uneventful, if a little noisy with more children than on the outward crossing. We slept reasonably well and the ship was already in port when we got up. We had coffee and a croissant then were one of the first to disembark at 6.30 UK time.
Now for the long drive to North Wales. Part of me will be glad to get home, and part of me is sad our trip is ending. Time to start planning the next one!
Ramblings 
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