The photo above shows the beautiful Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, where we will be a week from now. On our last trip we stayed in the Maritime Hotel, directly across from the bridge. This time, we were bummed to find out that the hotel has been converted to a hostel. Instead, we will stay around the corner in another hotel that is still convenient to the harbor.

We planned the trip primarily to visit family, especially several who are close to Willem and are elderly or sick. Our schedule is pretty well set now, giving us time to visit everyone in Rotterdam as well as friends in Amsterdam and Den Bosch.

On the one unplanned day, I had thought of going to Bruges, Belgium, but it turned out to be too far for a day trip. Another idea was Schiermonnekoog, an island in the Wadden Sea, but that also is too much of a shlep for one day. Willem suggested Utrecht, which I have only ridden through on a train; so, I think we’ll do that. Actually, just about anywhere you go in the Netherlands is quaint, historic, and worth a visit.

I am working on my packing list now, checking the weather forecast daily and trying to judge how chilly it will be when we are there. My record to date is not very good, in that I have had to buy extra clothes almost every time I have visited Holland. So far, it looks like the temperature might get up to 60 by the time we arrive. Today the weather report says that it is 43 and cloudy, and “feels like” 38. We just watched the Dutch news and everyone is definitely bundled up.