Journey: Domburg – Vlissigen – Veere – Delta Works – Kinderdijk (91 miles)
When Mark first suggested this idea to campervan around Europe for a year I thought he was both mad and joking… But then said well we would need to do it before the dogs get too old so they can make the most of it. Jasper is 8 and sometimes acts older than his years, Mabel will outlive us all as she is to stubborn to die and Ernest will likely die as a result of his own stupidity. We are obviously trying to keep all three going as long as possible (forever 🤞).
Jasper has been very unwell again today – he was up 3 times in the night, which meant Markles going out in a thunderstorm and it was pouring with rain all morning so no beach walk, instead a gentle stroll around Domburg and a pop into Dogsmolitan (a posh dog shop) for some overpriced dog sausages and an opportunity for Ernest to befriend a dog statue…he can’t tell the difference and befriends all statues or anything at his eye level.
Jasper couldn’t bring himself to eat breakfast or lunch so we spent the morning just resting with him and managed to find a vet in Vlissigen. While waiting for the vet we did our laundry and I read my book…we couldn’t really focus on anything else. The vet was lovely and has given him probiotics and we have bought him special food so hoping that helps. We also changed the dogs on to bottled water when we started living in the van as the general consensus is not to drink the tank water (and yet they still like puddle water 🙈).
The vet assured us it wasn’t travel sickness so we drove onto Veere which is a bit like Southwold. Quite quaint and posh but not as dog friendly as Domburg. A small detail – I love that the houses are so neat and homeowners have their family name painted in beautiful handwriting on their front doors. At the park Mabel was tasked with entertaining Ernest… except she is a rescue dog and doesn’t know how to play nicely so it just looks like Ernest is getting mauled. They both had fun though and all three fell asleep on the way to kinderdijk.
Maddy had recommended we see the Delta Works which true to her description are like the Thames barrier on steroids… we actually drove over them en route. It’s very hard to get a picture or illustrate the scale so best to Google. We arrived at our campsite – a carpark with facilities and I resumed my hatred of campsite showers! This one you had to pay for hot water which I didn’t know so was pottering about in my towel testing freezing showers until I got redressed and asked reception. For a euro you get 5mins but no timer and you waste the first minute scalding yourself or freezing your arse off which you work out a manageable temperature. It is possible for me to wash my hair, body and shave in 4mins but I’d love longer…oh to have a power shower and just live in it for 15minutes… anyway that ain’t happening any time soon so I trudge back to the van with damp hair and inform mark I’ve used the last euro and the machine doesn’t take cents so he will have to smell until the morning 😂
Kinderdijk opens at 10am tomorrow so we best be up and organised ready to explore.
SofaWolves 