August 29 – Into the Wind to Loon op Zand

The weather forecast was rain until 3:00 and our hosts at The Black Horse allowed us to stay past checkout time giving us more time to enjoy the horses and other animals. But the rain was  driven away to the east early by over 20-mph winds howling from west to east. We stayed sheltered and finally got underway about 1:30 then decided to brave the elements.  We were lucky on the rain, but battled the wind all the way.  Much of the way was dead east along the top of high dijks where it felt like you were being lifted and tossed down the steep slope. The ferries are running here due to the water from the Maas. When we made the sharp turn down off the dijk down to the ferry I felt completely blown away but managed to stay upright. On the south side we got a little shelter from dense woods then a very long stretch along the river dijk.  You could actually see the river water being driven east to the much needed drought regions. the entire area is verdant – the heather is looking much happier too.  The journey too about twice as long as normal and we finally arrived at our unique abode around 5:00 in Loon op Zand.  Luckily the grocery store was open and close so we enjoyed a much needed quiet restful evening.   

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