Saturday 7th July 2018
We wanted to make use of the cycle routes (Fietsroute) that were on our doorstep despite the extremely hot weather that we were experiencing, as we don’t often get the opportunity to cycle in such a safe manner. No safety helmets here. Only foreigners apparently according to our Dutch neighbours 😉
In the opposite direction of Doesburg we pinpointed Bronkhorst as our target. About 25 minutes by bike, around 7.5 kms on the Fietsroute.
All would have gone to plan, apart from the fact we deviated from the cycle route at the village of Olburgen.
Nevertheless we were not disappointed, despite our journey to Bronkhorst taking somewhat longer than anticipated.
We passed through several small villages including Olburgen, Rha and Steenderen which were all very picturesque with their Dutch style buildings and superbly tended gardens.
We probably could have counted the number of cars we passed along our way on both hands and all were as expected, respectful of cyclists. Some of the journey was along cycle routes but within the villages we cycled on the main road.
On our approach to Bronkhorst we stopped to admire the Bronkhorster Molen.
Bronkhorst is technically a city and with only 150 inhabitants is one of the smallest in The Netherlands. The village/city is well known for its picturesque buildings and oozes charm and character.
It has a small hotel, a couple of restaurants, a wedding chapel and also a museum dedicated to Charles Dickens.
After a wander around we parked our bikes outside the Herberg De Gouden Leeuw, the local hotel and found the perfect spot, outside the front of the hotel, to enjoy something from the menu.
Ray was immediately attracted to the range of craft beers available from The Bronckhorster Brewing Company. When in The Netherlands ………
On the recommendation of our waiter, who was extremely polite and spoke impeccable English, Ray ordered the IPA, with a hint of grapefruit. Refreshing was his verdict, after sampling a couple more 😉
We both ordered the mussels with fries. Ray’s cooked in beer, mine in white wine. They were equally delicious.
We weren’t quite so sure about choosing the Golden Lion dessert though 😉
Feeling refreshed and revitalised we headed back on the dedicated cycle route and enjoyed the late summer sun and the gentle breeze on our journey back home.
