4 countries in one day

Big day on the road.
Autobahn, Ferry, Really Big Bridge (7km) and Tunnel under the Sea.

Driving in Netherlands it often looks like you are driving into a blender.

Ferry crossing from Germany to Denmark

They're everywhere.

Netherlands-Windmills & Bikes

Windmills & Bikes is the stereotype and that's what we saw.

No lycra to be seen, practical bikes and no need to dress down for a bike commute. Heels, short skirt or a weeks groceries.

No cargo too large either!!

Fleckvieh Cross

Herd in Netherlands milking around 130 cows with robots and fodder is fed in large blocks, the farm is run with about 40 hours of labour per week.

Maybe not their best example of Fleckvieh cross cow (all the good looking ones were camera shy), these Holstien-Fleckvieh cows are out producing their Holstien herd mates.

Whilst the Fleckvieh cross cows carry a lot more condition they were no taller than the Holstiens in the herd (as I said all the good looking ones were camera shy).

No extra calving problems reported with the Fleckvieh calves.

Automated Dutch Dairy

Dairy at Ten Boer in the Netherlands with robotic milking, feeding and methane digester.

Auto feeding hoppers deliver custom rations to separate mobs of cattle.

Feeding system loaded to keep ration up to cattle.

Methane digestor which processes all the manure on site requires the addition of externally sourced carbohydrates eg. hay cut from nearby roadsides.

Groningen-Netherlands

The Martini Tower once the tallest tower in northern Europe.

Don't know what brought on this brotherly love. Maybe it's the fact they are skipping school.

Rabobank building in Groningen, around 80% of Dutch farmers bank with Rabobank.

Amsterdam-Canals, Flowers And Bikes, Bikes, Bikes...

Quick overnight stay in central Amsterdam before heading into the farmland.

Inner city living!!

Floating Flower market

Hendrika the cow in one of my favourite childhood books always wanted to see the "stepped" rooves of Amsterdam. Incidentally this is now one of the boys favourite books.

Another canal...

Sunny England

Back to the UK for the weekend to meet up with Gill, Hugh, George and the Schreuder's.

Whipsnade Zoo

The Tower of London, Hugh and George were sure they would be able to get out with just a few of the jewels.

It was so warm the boys had loads of fun with their cousin in the paddling pool.
Checking out some English crops with the boys.