What a fabulous weekend this turned out to be! On Friday afternoon I flew to the Netherlands to pick up my new kayak, and I hoped to be able to see some friends before I set off on my expedition. I know the Netherlands is a very small country, but not in a million years did I expect to see so many of them!

On Friday afternoon my friend Linda picked me up from Rotterdam airport. After a lovely afternoon together she brought me to Amsterdam, so I could also spend some time with Simone and Paul as well. In the morning I met Arie, Arie’s fiance and Anja and her sister in Zaandam, just north of Amsterdam, to visit the biggest Kayak shop in Europe.

Kanocentrum Arjan Bloem is not the best place in the world for a kayaker to go to if you don’t want to spend any money. We all ran around like children in a sweet shop. We had such a blast! I found myself a nice little kayak trolley, and even though I tried not to spend too much, I still ended up with a big box full of gear.

After lunch we all piled back in the cars and drove to the kayak shop just south of Rotterdam where my new kayak was waiting for me. As if we hadn’t just spent a couple of hours in a kayak shop already, everyone was very happy to join me. On my way to Rotterdam I received a text from one of the pro kayakers in the Netherlands; Axel Schoevers had a present for me and wanted to know my address. When I replied that I was in the Netherlands, on my way to pick up my new kayak, he decided to come and join us.

I immediately spotted my kayak, glistering in the sun in front of the shop. I couldn’t stop smiling. It is really true. Finally, after dreaming of it for years and years, I have my very own kayak. And she is beautiful!

It was great to see Axel too. He had brought me a waterproof cover for my phone and a mapcase. Very useful! After discussing the pro’s and cons of the various kayak trolleys, Axel lent me his own trolley, just in case. It folds up much flatter than the trolley I had just bought. With the thinner wheels it will sink in the sand, so I will have to see which one I will choose to take with me.

I was watching the others who were trying out some kayaks in the pond behind the shop, when Arnold Kuiter tapped on my shoulder. It was an incredible surprise for both of us; Arnold had no idea I was in the country.

Finally, it was time to say goodbye to everyone. Anja brought me to the ferry at Hoek van Holland. Not suprisingly, I hadn’t been able to find an option on the ferry’s website to book a kayak as extra luggage, so I had given them a call. A most helpful lady on the phone had agreed with me that the best thing I could do was to book it as a bicycle, since the kayak would come on two wheels.

Arriving at the Ferry’s check in desk with my kayak, I did receive some very funny looks when I said that this was the bike I booked!

What a treat to catch up with so many lovely friends!

Thank you everyone, for dinners, breaksfast, support, love and rides. Axel: thank you for your generous gifts and loan. A massive thank you to Steve too, for getting up at ridiculous o’clock to pick me up from Harwich at 7 in the morning!