At the MGOC Committee Meeting/Natter night on Monday 1st, 3rd November, I made the suggestion that members of our club might like, with their MGs, to go on a short trip to Holland at Easter or Whitsun of next year. As the general consensus at that time was that Easter would be preferable, I got in touch with the leader of one Dutch MGOC who said that, provided their is sufficient interest on our part, she will arrange for us to meet up with members of her group (at Easter or Whitsun), who would perhaps be prepared to lead us on a run to a prearranged destination (to be advised). She will also inform me of any other activities that are taking place. The overall consensus has now changed, and takes into account the possibility of colder weather at Easter-time. We have therefore, decided on a definite Whitsun trip, as hopefully, the weather will be slightly warmer and generally better, especially for those wishing to camp.
However, it has been decided, generally, that we would leave on Friday 29th May and return on the following Tuesday, 2nd June 1998.

In addition to this, I have spoken to friends of ours in Holland (two different families) who have invited those who are interested to join them for morning coffee or afternoon tea/coffee and cake, etc. This would give you the opportunity to meet Dutch people in their own homes and to speak and snack' with them. You will probably be pleased to know that their English whilst not perfect, is very good. They can, in any case, communicate very well with you. They are also very nice, very friendly people and would make everyone very welcome.

In the area that we would visit, which is in central Holland, close to Utrecht, there are very many interesting and fun things to do. There are also many interesting things to see and visit in other more distant parts of the country, should we decide we would like a nice run out somewhere. Below, I have set out a rough itinerary for the time that would be spent in Holland. Please bear in mind that this is still an outline plan and the final details can only be worked Out when I have a clear indication of precisely how many people are interested.

1. Be at Harwich fairly early on Friday, (it has been decided by the six or eight car owners who are interested so far, that we will travel from Harwich on the new, big catamaran at a cost of £88 return (if we book very soon). This is more expensive than the £65 for the ferry to Calais, but saves a lot on time, and more importantly, the cost of fuel on the journey to Holland.

2. Arrive in central Holland in the afternoon. The area in which I propose we will stay is called Leersum, which is very close to Utrecht. The camping is apparently very good, and apartments for 4 and chalets for, 4, 6 or 8 people are available. The costs are (apartment - Dfl 400 and chalets Dfl 490, Dfl 560 & Dfl 695 respectively). In addition, there is a cost of Dfl 65 for cleaning of the accommodation.As far as camping is concerned, the cost for the same period is Dfl 19 for the location + Dfl 5 p.p.p.day. (Cuuently the exchange rate is approximately Dfl 3.30 to £1).

3.We could visit one Dutch family (friends of mine), late in the afternoon and stay with them for the evening, for a light supper and a chat OR, depending on the time we arrive, settle into our 'accommodation' Those who are camping could unpack their tents and do any other necessary little jobs, those in other accommodation can check and maybe unpack clothes etc., and then generally find out where everything on the site is. (It is set in a wood and there are restaurants, shops, discos, tennis courts, outside swimming pool and play and sports areas - all inclusive in the price, except restaurant of course).

For those of you who are camping / chaletting and who may wish to get in some fresh food and/or drinks, there are, as I said above, shops, but there is also a very good supermarket in the village of Doom, which we could visit if you wish.

4. Saturday OR Sunday: (option 1)
Visit Dutch MGOC members in Veenendaal, which is approximately 30 minutes from Driebergen (details and events to be finalised, subject to interest) and perhaps visit a 'Pannekoek Huis', literally a 'pancake' restaurant, in the evening, in Driebergen. It is cheap, different, and they do not only serve pancakes. The pancakes that they do serve however, can be sweet, fruity or savoury. You can also eat freshly boiled mussels and/or other things. As this restaurant is booked up most evenings, (it is a very popular place), if you would like to try this, I have to book in advance to make sure that we can all get in.

5 Saturday OR Sunday: (option 2)
Visit Harderwijk (approx. one hour drive) with its lovely old riverside houses, lake an harbours, together with Dolphinarium. This is a lovely place to visit and, if you wish, I is possible to make a boat trip around the harbour, for example. There is also a lovely scenic route, along which we can drive, on the return journey.

Returning back to base, there is a very good Chinese restaurant in Doorn, a few minutes from Leersum, if you should wish to sample very good Cantonese style Chinese food (it works out about £25 (at current exchange rates) for two people, and probably cheaper the more people share. (I can investigate the cost for a large group 1: required). Once again, it is very popular and must be booked in advance.

6. Monday:
Visit a Dutch family (a different one) for morning coffee and cake and get acquainted with more of the locals. Either before or after our visit to this family, we can visit 'Het Rosarium' and hire pedal carts (for 4,6,8 and maybe even 10 people). They are good fun. You all sit in the 'cart' and pedal around the local area, following a given route It lasts about one and a half hours. Alternatively, if you want more strenuous exercise, you can hire a cycle very cheaply and ride between villages. If, however, you take the first option, there are also go-karts and midget-golf in the same area.At the back of the 'Rosarium' is Huis Doom, a rather interesting 'house' (with a deer park) where Kaiser Wilhelm spent his last years, in exile.

As I said earlier, I am also investigating other options to enable us to make the most of our short holiday and, therefore, these are only proposals and venues and/or times will probably change a little.

Someone suggested that perhaps it might be nice to have a day on which everyone can do what they please. How do you feel about this. Do you like this idea or would you prefer that everything is prearranged.

As the proposed visit is at Whitsun (a very busy time) it is necessary to book early and therefore, I need to have a firm commitment from everyone, most definitely by the next meeting, which is the AGM, at The Cambridge Motel, Shepreth. Obviously, at the present time I do not have precise costs worked Out, but as soon as they are, I would need to have whatever deposits, e.g., for catamaran, camping, etc. in advance + a further sum (to be estimated) deposited with our Treasurer as surety' against dropping out. As this is a privately arranged trip, obviously we cannot afford for people to change their minds and leave us with outstanding monies owing. Therefore, please be sure that you agree with all the dates, costs, etc. before making a commitment. Having said this, I do hope that lots of you will be able to make it (the more the merrier) - you will definitely have a very interesting and enjoyable time.

Once I know how many of you are definitely interested in this trip, I shall be able to finalise Catamaran booking, details of Dutch MGOC arrangements, book restaurants, campings, etc.

Please do join us.

If you are definitely interested, please ask for a form (which will be available in a few days time and will be sent to you). Copies of these forms will be sent out to all of our members. Please return them as soon as possible to:

Mrs. Jacqueline Deakin.28 Newmarket Road,Royston, Herts. SG8 7EL.
CAMBRIDGE & DISTRICT MGOC PROPOSESED VISIT TO HOLLAND

If you are interested in making the above trip to Holland, please fill in the following details:

Name.....................................................................

Address ................................................................

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Phone No:............................................................

Feedback on the following would be apprciated!
Do you think you would be interested in camping in your own tentOR renting/sharing a chalet
Would you prefer to stay in a local hotel?
(probably about £45 per night for two - if booked well in advance)
Would you like to visit the 'Pancake' house
Would you like to visit the chinese restaurant
Would you like at some stage to go on a canal cruise OR harbour cruise?
Would you like to possibly make a run across the DutcWGerman border and visit a German town?
Would you likefree day OR to visit a Dutch family?

Your comments please?

Please contact Jacqueline Deakin direct: Tel 01763 248583
You may print these pages out & forward your reply by post to:
28 Newmarket Road, Royston, Herts. SG8 7EL.