September 10 - How Many Borders Did We Cross Anyway?

Thursday - Turnhout, Belgium to Raamsdonksveer, Netherlands
It has been a short but sweet visit to Belgium. It is hard to believe that we are scheduled to fly out of Amsterdam a week from today.

We waited until the TI opened at 9 so we could buy the postcards.

Doug lubed our chains while Donna finished her postcards.

The Castle of the Dukes of Brabant was on our way out of town. 

A more modern side of Turnhout.

This viewing tower was actually on the postcard so we figured we better check it out.

Three miles later we crossed the border into The Netherlands.

A mile and half later we crossed back in Belgium. What is going on here????

Pete was so kind to stop and explain that we weren't having deja vu.  Baarle-Hertog (Belgium) and Baarle-Nassau (Netherlands) are one city in two nations. It's complicated!

It is really complicated!!! We wondered how they handle the mail and all sorts of other mundane facts of life.

We lost track of how many times we crossed the border.

We are pretty sure we are eating lunch in The Netherlands.

Good thing Doug also got some new gloves in Mainz a week ago. These are his favorite gloves that he bought there 4 years ago. They used to be all black.

One more time. They don't have signs here, just the letters "B" and "NL" to tell you which country you are in.

Entering Alphen

Doug is also in search of a new bike cap but no luck here.

This is always a good sign!

The Dutch are serious about their sausage.

We thought we were being tracked by helicopters then realized we were passing by some kind of military airport facility.

The postal delivery person in Rijen. Motorbikes up to a certain size/horsepower can use bike paths in the Netherlands.

Just what we need....new legs!

It was outdoor market day on the main street. She said she usually carries her dog in the basket.

Nel (left) and Anny kept Doug company while Donna shopped for some snacks from a nearby booth. Nel has done a lot of bike touring with her husband so was quite interested in our trip. 

Church of Mary Magdalene

We got to Raamsdonksveer just after school let out for the day. The kids had taken over the street in this part of town. They were enjoying this pleasant afternoon as much as we were.

Hotel Heere is our home for the night.

The ice cream store is right next door to the hotel.

We wandered about town for awhile. They are preparing for a music festival starting tomorrow night so it is a good thing we found a room here tonight.