Tanned, fit and healthy = riding a bike in the Netherlands.

Bikes in the Netherlands.  A part of the landscape.  It is a way of life as well as a means of transport.  Regardless of the number of cakes and sweets that are consumed, people in the Netherlands look tanned, fit and healthy, which I am sure is due to being outside, riding bikes, in all types of weather. 

Aaron, Kylie, Mia, Abi and now Raphy, ride their bikes everywhere.  And of course when we are there we ride our bikes too.  We love it.  So much easier than driving a car.  So much freedom.   And fresh air.   And calorie burning too.

Raphy standing among the assortment of bicycles at the front of the house. Seven bicycles including the Bakfiets, a long two wheeled bicycle with a huge box in the front part.  The Bakfiets requires much balance. 

Mia and Abi's bikes.  The sit up straight types.  Mia now has a delivery style bike, with a front tray, very popular now with the older children and teenagers.  Great for doubling friends. Although Mia did dump her friend into a hedge, accidently.

 Sadly Kylie had a delivery style bike too, until the Saturday we went to Utrecht.  Someone else also fancied it, and when we went to cycle home, there was just an empty space.  Apparently it was easy to disable the lock.

Raphy dressed, with a bag on his back, all ready to go to school.  The last look at Kylie's delivery style bike, on the left of Raphy.

Raphy at 4 years old, is a very competent rider.  'Look Oma, I can ride with my legs sticking out sideways'.  Next it will be 'no hands'.

The morning ride to school can be frantic, with children, parents and workers riding in all directions. Hence, no photographs.  I have trouble trying to avoid riding into someone, let alone taking photographs too.

Raphy rides in amongst the cyclists without a care in the world.  His little legs move fast, as he ducks in and out, and tries to ride over the bridges without stopping.  There are many other 4 year olds also riding to school, and once Raphy and another child stopped suddenly on a bridge causing a chain reaction with all the parents travelling behind them.   I think the Dutch must have an inbuilt ability to stop suddenly without falling off or hitting anyone.

We went for a bicycle ride through our favourite woods, which I think are called Niewe Bos.  A favourite area for runners too.  There is an adventure playground there, plus a water play area.

The shadows in the young trees were really impressive.

Of course our bike ride in the sunshine was for a reason.  Destination, our favourite cafe, Vroegt.

For appeltarte and coffee.  We shared the cake of course.  Must watch the waistlines.

And on Saturday we loaded our bicycles onto the back of the motorhome, said our goodbyes, and reluctantly set off for England.

Hopefully, tanned, fit and healthy.