Day 12 - Holten to Laren, Sept. 22

It was a lovely shorter day, 16.5 km, but it started out with torrential rain. We just waited it out at the hotel and set out after the worst was over. After a cappuccino in Holten we soon found ourselves on a narrow path between corn fields. But soon we were on a road that led us to the busy highway, the A1. We heard the traffic noise coming closer and closer. There was an overpass to cross and the freeway was soon a memory. The PP tries very hard to encompass scenic parts of Holland and today we traversed a very lovely dike which had ancient fat beeches standing guard on either side. 

After crossing lots of farmlands we encountered major mud in a working forest. There is logging going on and huge vehicles churn up the dirt road. Two women we met earlier in the day warned us about it and suggested a detour that we gladly took. We had such a pleasant talk with these women. The older one had the same expressive face as the actress, Vanessa Redgrave. 

We are in the Achterhoek now, almost in Gelderland, and we encountered our first castle, the Huis Verwolde. Surrounded by gorgeous land, of course. 

After another lovely, romantic little trail with a pretty fence we arrived in the small village of Laren at the Stegeman Cafe where we waited for our ride to our hotel in Vorden. Tomorrow we get brought back to the cafe and walk to Vorden. 

By the way, nearly all our lunches are picnics. We make it at breakfast and it generally consists of raisin bread and cheese and brown bread and cheese. Koek, if we can get it. Today we had jummy  chocolate milk. We passed a self-help kiosk where we bought some bananas. There are lots of benches to take a break.

After tomorrow we are half way and start book two. Hard to believe!