2024-10-12 51 4

Location

Valkeniersweide park, Rotterdam.

Participants

Expedition

I had to run some errands today and decided that I could squeeze in this geohash without too much of a detour. So I drove the hashmobile to the southern end of Rotterdam and found the Dordtsestraatweg where I parked. The hash was close by, on the grass next to a pond in a small park. There were a few people about, some of whom were walking their dogs. I found the hash point without any problems and took some pictures. I then got back in the hashmobile and continued on my way.

Except, that's when the problem started. I drove off straight away because parking is paid in this area, and I didn't want to bother with that because I only had to be there for a minute. As I accelerated onto the motorway, it hit me.

The smell.

It started out innocently enough, with this sudden feeling of "do I smell something? Or is is just my imagination?". Then it became stronger. And then it became overwhelming. As it turned out, I had stepped in dog poop back in the park, and there was now a huge clump of it sticking to the sole of my right shoe.

But I was on the motorway, and there was no way I could do anything about it. I briefly thought about finding a service station, but what would I do there? Try to wipe my shoe on the grass? And then what? So I drove on, even though the stench almost made me vomit. I tried turning on the blower, using the air conditioner, and opening windows. Nothing worked. And there was no place where I could stop and properly fix the problem.

After twenty-two long minutes, I finally reached the southern end of Delft, where I knew a good place to stop: a small car park next to a forest. There, I was finally able to wipe my shoes on the grass, find some twigs to get the remaining solid bits out of the grooves, and then rinse the soles in a puddle. Luckily I had managed not to get anything on my car's floor mats or pedals, so I could finally drive home while breathing reasonably clean air.

Photos

It's a nice park, with a pond inhabited by ducks and other waterfowl.
And it's autumn, so there's leaves everywhere. So you can't really see what you're stepping on.
Reached it!
Lloyd celebrates, high and dry above the ground.
Another view of the park. It looks nice and peaceful. Definitely no hidden surprises here.