Fietstocht Plug 2017
...by Cor and Nelis
Leiden is my city
Whether is’s raining in the morning
and the bus is running late
I’m stuck on Lammenschans
or on the Joristraat.
Already walking this morning
because my bike is stolen again.
Leiden is my city
and if I get to school too late
it’s because the stoplight is not working
Breestraat is closed again and the V&D is bankrupt
Even though I am at the fair,
I’m lonely in the Ferris wheel
Leiden is my city
I was in the Sahara,
on the Great Wall of China
Spent hours walking on the mudflats
I was in the Bahamas
and on the Cote d’Azur
But everywhere I miss my city
Leiden, lead me
Seduce me again
and read my thirst
because I’m on fire.
Leiden, lead me
Seduce me again
The most beautiful city on the waterfront
And where the summers feel too wet and the winters feel too soft
I buy a ticket to skate on the canal
and where students learn to bike with a full crate
Leiden is my city
Or watching your grandfather near the museum look at the old mess
Then are those Romans laughing, what used to be funny?
And then a beer at the Hut of Vattegat
Leiden is my city
I was in the Sahara,
on the Great Wall of China
Spent hours walking on the mudflats
I was in the Bahamas
and on the Cote d’Azur
But everywhere I miss my city
Leiden, lead me
Seduce me again
and read my thirst
because I’m on fire.
Leiden, lead me
Seduce me again
The most beautiful city on the waterfront
Leiden, lead me
Seduce me again
and read my thirst
because I’m on fire.
Leiden, lead me
Seduce me again
The most beautiful city on the waterfront
Leiden, lead me
Seduce me again
and read my thirst
because I’m on fire.
Leiden, lead me
Seduce me again
and read my thirst
because I’m on fire.
The most beautiful city on the waterfront.
Day 2: Kudelstaart to Leiden
The Green Heart of Holland
38.7 miles / 62.2 kilometers
Day 2 - Kudelstaart to Leiden
38.7 miles/62.2 kilometers
Kudelstaart to Leiden:
Part II - Afternoon: Sunday July 30 2017
360 ° video - Sunday July 30 2017: The (Kudel)Staart
360 ° video - Sunday July 30 2017: Cycling to Leiden
360 ° Video - Monday July 31 2017: Cycling though Leiden
The cycling tour (“fietstocht”) kicked off in earnest and the group of 17 intrepid cyclists experienced every type of weather imaginable; sunshine, rain, torrential rain and wind. The last 20 kilometers into Leiden were directly into the wind and all the cyclists were happy to see the Tijdgeest moored in central Leiden.
A fabulous day of cycling through the “green heart of Holland”!
A highlight of the day occurred after we arrived in Leiden and were able to visit HCP’s 101 year old aunt, Tante Attie, and her daughter Nelleke. A great visit with an amazing lady born in 1916.
After a nourishing dinner ship board the cyclists went for a walking tour of historic old Leiden (humming the tune of Leiden is Me Stad)!
By the end of the week the intrepid cyclists would have cycled more than 325 kilometers (205 miles) as they toured much of Zuid and Noord Holland.
Leiden sits at the confluence of the Oude and Nieuwe Rijn (Old and New) and has a rich history.
A Roman fort named Matilo existed/was established on the southern banks of the Oude Rijn in the location of the present day city of Leiden. Archaeologists have not found any evidence of human habitation pre-dating the Roman times in Leiden and therefore assume the Romans were the first to settle in this area. Prior to the arrival of the Romans people lived further from the river.
Leiden survived the Spanish siege (May - October 1574) at the beginning of the Dutch Revolt and 80 Years War but lost approximately 30% of it population during its besiegement. Willem I rewarded the people of Leiden by founding the University of Leiden in 1575. it is the oldest university in the Netherlands.
In 1590, fifteen years after its own founding, the University of Leiden founded the Hortus Botanicus which is now one the world’s oldest botanical gardens.
Leiden has been the Dutch city of light for arts, science, and tolerance as it was the home of Rembrandt (van Rijn), Carolus Clusius/Charles de l’Ecluse, Nobel prize winners (Onnes, Zeeman, Lorentz and Einthoven), Descartes and the American Pilgrim Fathers (pre Mayflower voyage).
Abraham Philipszoon(before 1580 - 1645). Less than six years after the siege of Leiden and five years after the founding of the University, Abraham (the son of Philip) was born in Leiden (a town of 12,000 people). In the early 1600‘s Abraham was a Spekverkooper (Pork Seller) on the Middleweg in Leiden and it is more than possible that he sold his goods to his contemporaries; Charles de l’Ecluse, Rene Descartes, John Robinson and Rembrandt’s parents.
Abraham Philipszoon’s son, Isaac Abrahamszoon, is the first person known to carry the family name Lindhout (then as van Linthout).
Abraham Philipszoon is the 9th Great Grandfather of HCP.