2026 - April 4th, April, does what it wants

April 18th - Saturday

We're in no hurry today, since we're booked in for two days. That makes a difference and allows for a relaxed daily rhythm. No packing and driving off, especially without a real destination.

Today is a day of rest with sunshine forecast.

Simone's knee is giving her a lot of trouble walking, so a bike ride is out of the question. But exploring Joure should be possible. We're practically right in the city center.

The "Middelstraat" is the heart of Joure. Its shopping street and restaurants invite visitors to stroll and explore.

It's astonishing how diverse the retail scene is in a small town of 13,000 inhabitants. Boutiques for men and women with good clothes, small specialty shops (like the Douwe Egberts coffee roastery), and nice restaurants.

Unfortunately, it starts to rain during our stroll (see title), so we'll probably have to find a place in the outdoor restaurant and have a drink, garnished with a small snack plate (bitterballen, frikadelljes, fried cheese...).

Back at the campervan, the sun is shining again, and the best way to enjoy it is outside in a deck chair.

These are the days when you enjoy complete freedom. There's no pressure, nothing needs to be done – you simply live in the moment and enjoy yourself.

Tomorrow we continue our journey, and now the search for our next destination begins. We don't really have one yet, which is starting to become a problem. Should we go here or there? Where does the sun shine longer? Are there campsites right by the water?

These are all questions that can only be answered slowly, and often only once you set off and simply stroll through the countryside. It's not a big place here in the Netherlands, and we have time.

The main roads and highways provide quick access to the regions. However, we prefer to use the smaller roads near the water, which are often very narrow, making it best to avoid oncoming traffic.

So we'll just set off tomorrow.

April 19th, Sunday

The square is emptying quickly; both the boats and the camper vans are leaving. Guess they all have to work tomorrow, huh?

After setting off, we want to refuel first so we can drive a bit more relaxed. There are sometimes no gas stations along our routes.

There's an Esso Express right next to the harbor exit. Diesel is €2.339 – they're all crazy! I'm only filling up with 30 liters.

Friesland is a scenic region with lots of grazing livestock and arable farming. The small villages are all neat and clean, situated along the road. It's quiet (because it's Sunday) and you can cruise slowly through the countryside.

The road along the edge of the Ijselmeer, however, lies mostly in front of the dike, so that although you can see the sheep on the dike, you can't see any water.

At the very tip of South Friesland lies the town of Stavoren with a marina, canals and a parking area directly on the water.

That's rather the exception, so we spontaneously decide to check in for one night.

The harbor master is also in charge of the mooring area and fills out his form:

2 people, one motorhome, one night, tourist tax = €26.50.

The site is actually located at the far end of the marina on a meadow, with electricity and a washroom.

And a new restaurant, the "Postvis", is only 100m away.

Today the kitchen stays cold, we're going to... the Potvis, where of course there will be a fish dish.

And to say that the night was very quiet is an understatement. Not a single sound could be heard until the sheep on the dike greeted the day with their baa-baa in the morning.

Okay, if you please.

I'll order leg of lamb at the next restaurant.