Day 18 Dokkum

 39 miles to Dokkum

The morning started out overcast but dry.  I noticed this rainbow in the distance and thought it might be the sign of a good day.

Unfortunately, rainbows usually come along with rain and I was heading in that direction.  At the beginning of this trip, back in Prague, I bought a can of sunscreen.  So far I've used it once!

Below are 2 pictures that represent what I've seen in so many small towns in The Netherlands - as far as housing goes.  Small, square, simple brick structures.

Below is a picture of cows grazing on a polder.  A polder is land that was reclaimed from the sea.  From what I'm told, once the water is drained and the mud dries, the soil is not good for growing much of anything but grass.  The soil in these polders is a slate gray color as opposed to the regular brown earth.  Apparently there are certain minerals in that gray soil that are good for grass - then the cows eat the grass - and then The Netherlands gets famous for making cheese.

I eventually got to the small city (one of the residents corrected me when I called it a town) of Dokkum and it was thoroughly charming.  Many restaurants, cafes, and shops lining the canals.  Just beautiful.

Later I rode a few kilometers out of town to get to my host's home.  Tonight I stayed with Siewart and his family.  He has ridden a motorcycle in the Himalaya mountains in India and also in New Zealand.  It was fun listening to his stories.

Siewart and his wife Tanya.