We arrived late to Onderdijk, Netherlands late after travelling straight from Dunkirk and the ferry from Dover, UK. The travel was easy and on good roads and the time in France and Belgium seemed to fly by.

However, as we were getting closer to our overnight destination, the tiredness was definitely starting to be felt. It had to do with the fact that we had a short sleep the previous night and were up at 3am to catch our ferry. What an odd phrase to ‘catch a ferry’?!? But hey, we were early as usual but still boarded the same vessel that we were booked on to.

On our way through northern Netherlands, we passed through many places that we had visited on a previous trip with our daughter and her boyfriend. The small villages located around the waters edge or alongside a canal were enchanting as we remembered. However, we had already decided that we would continue on to one pot the many places around here that we had not been to before. This turned out to be an inspired decision.

On arrival in to Onderdijk, we easily found our overnight freedom camp site, right next to the water, and a short walk from the village centre. As soon as we were parked we left out and walked around our surroundings. It is a quaint village with an eclectic mix of houses, but everyone that we came across smiled and waived in typical Dutch style. They are always friendly and welcoming.

Pekelharinghaven, Medemblik, Netherlands

We had a fabulous nights sleep in our deserted parking area next to the canal which set us up well to ride to the slightly larger town of Medemblik. This town was equally inviting, friendly and pretty. The marina area was particularly attractive so we took the long way back to the van having visited the bike shop for a spare part to make a running repair to my bike. Again, the owner could not have been more helpful and very interesting.

Castle Radboud, Medemblik, Netherlands

Museum Stoomtram Hoorn-Medemblik, Netherlands

All too soon, it was time to return to the van and get on the road north-east towards Germany.