June 9 - 10

I headed out on my trusty steed for the VVV office in Amersfoort at 2pm on Tuesday afternoon with the full intenton of riding to a stayokay hostel in Bunnik. When I got to the VVV office it started to pour down cats & dogs. As I only brought my day pack with only the minimal required things, I wasn't really keen on getting soaked. I purchased two maps from the VVV office for around 15 Euros. One is a bicycle route map and the other is a road map of Utrecht and Maarssden. Then I headed to the trainstation and began the beginning of blowing the budget for this trip. A ticket for me to Utrecht was 4.50 and the ticket for my bike was 6.50Euro. 15 Minutes later I was at Utrecht Central Station. I hopped off the train straight into what appeared to be a shopping centre. It took about 10 minutes to find a way out of the building and then started down the first major road I found. About 5 minutes later i stopped and pulled out my map. After about half an hour I had sorted where I was and where I had to get to... well, sort of. After stopping several more times to check the map I found my route to Bunnik where the hostel I was staying at is located. I checked in and got my key. Then I had tea at the pancake house just down the road and it was located right on the canal. It had awesome views but as it was pouring down I stayed inside. The rain stopped so I headed back to the hostel room and as there was nothing to dao I went for a ride around Bunnik. About 2 hours later I went to the bar for a drink and ended up loosing the key for Ida's grandmothers bike lock. I spent about one and a half hours searching for it. I still could not find it so I headed back to my dorm room. After much prayer I put on my eye mask and ear plugs. 5 minutes later, the lady below and back from me got a phone call which went on for a while. I had just zoned out and was so close to sleep when suddenly... Mr nasal from upstairs came down and went off at her. Everything was turned off and I was suddenly completely wired. An hour later I went to sleep, it was approximately 12. I awoken at about 5am by mr nasal's intense snoring which built to such a cresndo he made one last huge snore which woke even him. Eventually he got out of bed and left very quitely. Then Miss mobile phone got up and made as much noise as possible! I am not sure how many zippers and bags she had but it sounded as though she was attempting to make a symphony with all her zipper opening and closing. Eventually she left and I had my shower and breakfast. Needless to say Mr Nasal & Miss Mobile phone were no longer there. I then spent the next hour or more trying to find the elusive key. About 9:30am the receptionist tried calling the Bunnik bicycle shop. Thankfully they did not answer and a dutch gentleman organised some bolt cutters for me and i chopped the lock off the bike. Within a hour and a half I was in Maarssen. I have listed a video and pictures of mums childhood place. It is located on what i believe is the main street of Maarssen. Uncle Joh told me that our Grand dad sold antique furniture from under the house. The video I have included is me riding down the street from one end to the other. After having lunch, pre made, on the canal bank, I headed back toward Amersfoort. This was a little tricky as I had to back track many times because I had missed the signs. Eventually, completely stuffed, I reached Hoevelaken and a very well enjoyed whisky or two!