Done it! Beer and feet up time!!

Into Den Oever a day early and managed to blag an extra night at the Hostel cum B&B Het Huis van de Wadden. 

At breakfast Tina, the owner of the property asked if I had plans for a meal that evening and if not would I like to eat with the family!  They would eat about seven but give me a shout half an hour before. 

Breakfast was sufficient to see me through the day along with several mugs of coffee and tea.

A shout through the partition door and off I go to the main room.  Two newcomers had just arrived, a Dutch couple at the end of their first day of riding!  Places were quickly made at the table and a pleasant evening was had by all, finding out about the Waddenzee area, the Ijsselmeer and assorted travellers tales.

It transpired that the Dutch couple were retired GP's who had spent some time working in Australia and had cycled in Viet Nam and Cambodia.

Tina and son on the right, Henri her husband furthest away on left.

I joined the retired Doc's for breakfast before our mass exodus with them heading NE across the Ijsselmeer with a tail wind and me, SW, head wind, again!!  I was even beginning to wonder how I could justify getting an E bike!!

New cycle trails took me through places like t'Zand and  Hippolytushoef before getting onto the great tracks through the dunes.

The dune area is a nature reserve which meant no camping but late in the afternoon I rolled into Bergen aan Zee and spotted a "Zimmer Frei" sign.  "For two?"  "No just me (and a bike)"  "Ach!"  some head scratching went on.  "I will give you a room for two but you pay for one, your bike can stay for free!  Pushing my luck "Does that include breakfast?"  "Ja, I will give you breakfast".

A chilly looking North Sea at Bergen aan Zee.

Thursday 25th, breakfasted and lunch roll stowed away I was back on the dune trail again.  Nearing Wikki aan Zee I could see the cranes and chimneys of Ijmuiden, Amsterdam's ferry terminal and my finishing point.  Assorted emotions, pleased I'd done it; sorry it was over but happy to be going home.

Part of the dune path network.

The big fields of bulbs had all gone but these huge globe Aioli were on sale at a stall by the roadside.

From here it was into the industrial side of Ijmuiden and a traverse across the sluices into town.

Done It!!

It seemed a bit of an anti-climax but I was looking forward to a shower, a beer and a sleep!!

Nearly there now!!

Crossing the Ijsselmeer Dyke, 81km on the main road, roughly 100km on the coastal bike trail.  I'll be around the 2000 mile mark by the time I get home.

The sun was shining in Harlingen during breakfast but by the time I'd loaded the bike up it was hammering down and there was a rumble of thunder in the air!

I had some time in hand before I was due to check out so waited for the rain to ease before wandering up to the Tourist Office to look for what I hoped would be the last map I'd need to get me to Ijmuiden and my ferry back to Newcastle.

Map tucked away in my bag and sun now shining I took a few last photographs before leaving Harlingen.

A fine array of sailing barges in the inner harbour.

The old harbour offices, now a restaurant; the new offices are in the white building to the left.

The three master in the background was heading for Breezanddijk to cross into the Ijsselmeer.

The harbour end of the strand, a forest of masts and the broad gravel roadway which was my route south out of town.

Waiting to go through the bridge and lock into the Ijsselmeer.

A bright spell between showers.  35km of bike path from Zurich (Not the Swiss one) to Den Oever, the Ijsselmeer on the left and Waddenzee and the North Sea hiding behind the bushes.

Tuesday 23rd, a cold, showery and windy day, I'm glad I decided to stay put in Den Oever, a couple of easy days should see me in Ijmuiden with a quick blast into Amsterdam..

Lauwersoog to Nieubildtdijk, talk about "Landing on your feet" and on to Harlingen.

The Shepherd on top of the dyke keeping an eye on his flock!

 Wind turbines marching off into the distance near Emshaven.

After the thrash against the wind to Lauwersoog I was looking for a reasonably short day.

I got the tent stowed away almost dry and went off to reception to pay my dues, I'd taken my time knowing that the camp restaurant didn't open until 1000 and that was where I planned to breakfast.

Breakfast, green tea and apple tart, now how healthy is that?  I'm not sure what the white stuff is that the waitress insisted in putting on my plate!?!

After crossing 7km of dyke damming off the Lauwersmeer the road was left behind and pleasant trails cutting through fields and villages was followed.  The trail took me past some of the things I'd seen on the NSCR in 2013.

The church at Nes.

What to do with any old seafaring stuff laying about!

The anchor is still there to keep my bike safe while I had lunch at the bar across the road!

My plan, such as it was, was to get to Nieubildtdijk and see if I could get a bed at The Old Schoolhouse Bunkhouse I'd stayed at previously.

1700 ish I slowly pedalled past the building, the bunkhouse was there but no B&B sign.  This was looking like a bit of a non starter.  Quick think up a plan B.  A few hundred metres back along the road I'd seen a B&B sign, try that.  Pedal back down the road and into the driveway, ring bell, dogs barking in the house, not a bad sign.  No one comes to the door.  I keep ringing the bell, still no one and dogs going mental!  Ok, plan C, back up the road and into Sint Annaparochie (St Ann), it's only about 3km, I'm bound to find something there.

By this time I'm slowly pedalling past the Old Schoolhouse again.  A shout from a group of people enjoying a drink in the evening sunshine "You need some help?".  I explain that I was looking for a B&B and that I'd stayed at the bunkhouse two years ago.

"There are new owners now but they're out"

"Yes, and I've tried the B&B along the road and there is no one there either"

"I'll make a phone call for you, there is another B&B further back along the road"  (No answer).

"Wait here with these ladies I'll go and see someone"  And off goes Jos on his bike!

Dretske indicates where to leave my bike, a large glass of wine is handed to me and I'm introduced to Rea, Astrid and Lydia who along with Jos and Dretske have been putting the world to rights.  Serious stuff; the women are all involved in social work and they were really discussing some local issues.

Jos returned having drawn a blank.  "There is a room here where you can stay and you can eat with us all this evening we are having an Indonesian meal.

Rea taking the photo, me with my feet under the table!!

The view was over acres of corn field, a farmhouse in the trees and the North Sea over the horizon.

L to R, Jos had prepared the meal and done an excellent job! Rea, Lydia and Astrid I may have mixed up, if so my apologies, I'd had a glass or three of wine by this time!  And on the right, Dretske.

Underneath the slices of fruit was yoghurt, apple and black cherries.

A most enjoyable evening !!

This morning it was lashing down!  The forecast was to brighten up, but when?

I'd been given breakfast, planning to leave around 0900, it was still pouring.  My hosts insisted, stay until it improves.  Lunch arrived! 

1230 ish it was looking brighter and the rain had calmed down to a drizzle.

Time to go.  I couldn't thank Jos and Dretske enough for their kindness and hospitality but I had to move on.

A couple of kilometres along the dyke I came to De Zwarte Haan (The Black Hen) which is one of the starting points for the Camion de Santiago de Compostella.

6.5km from there you come to Sint Jacobiparochie (St Jabik) (Need to check translation!)

Oh what I'd give for a lorry load of ready-mix!!

I've no idea what happened to the church!

I don't think its seen a train in a while!

A sailing barge in Harlingen.

The old Town Hall circa 1778.

Got to get to the tourist office in the morning the check out hopefully my last map before home.

Emden Germany to Delfzijl Netherlands and on to Bierum.

The previous day's reconnaissance ride to find the ferry departure point had been worthwhile as it was about 5km out of town in an industrial harbour area, it also gave me a chance to check out the name of the three master I photographed yesterday (forgot the name by the time I was back at the hostel).

She's the Heureka.

Here comes my ferry, about to swing round and come alongside to pick up the bunch of cyclists and walkers waiting to cross the Dollard, a  large body of water near the mouth of the Ems river.  The German/Dutch border runs through the Dollard.  Two years ago I'd had to cycle around the Dollard because I was too early in the season for the ferry to be running so I figured that as I'd cycled it once this time I'd take a boat ride.

Lots of riders off to do the Dollard Route back to Emden.

Some seriously big merchant vessels taking on cargo.

The crossing took just over an hour and once in Delfzijl I reloaded my bike and headed off north along the dyke road towards Bierum.  My intention was to call in on a couple of great folk who very kindly let me use a house they just happened to have available when I was cold and tired on my last trip.

I vaguely recognised the track junction and turned off through the gate, about three hundred metres further on I spotted the small B&B sign by the hedge and rode into the yard.  Joop was working in the greenhouse and did a double take when he recognised me.  Again I was made very welcome and was soon clutching a coffee while we waited for Sophie to return from a brief trip to town.

On the Thursday Joop had some family business in Groningen and Sophie had a voluntary job at a hospice.  I'd already been through Delfzijl and so it was suggested I went to see Appingedam, a city but very small and with character.

The bells and clock workings could be seen through the gaps around the clock faces.

A Burgher of the City now immortalised in bronze.

Cycling back through Marsum.  It's not my photography, the church tower had a definite list to starboard!

This came to join me while I had a cup of tea.

The prime spot!  The old dog would stand and bark at the cat as if saying "Come on, it's my turn now".

A second very pleasant evening was spent around the table before I had to get my bags sorted for the following morning.  The wind was going to be in my face for the best part of 60km on my way to Lauwersoog and the campsite.

 

Varel to Emden and some down time till the ferry to Delfzijl runs on Wednesday!

Away from Varel just after 0800 on Sunday morning.  Overcast and chilly.

A straight forward ride out of town on a great bike path, smooth asphalt for nearly 15km then back roads, bits of single track, slab paths and dirt roads; about seven hours of riding, a few places where the bike didn't have a clue where to go but eventually arrived in Emden.

Figured I might go, you never know someone might be looking for one with a bike!!

Didn't spot the traffic lights photo bombing me!  Most of the mills are tourist attractions now, this one is an art gallery.  The upper part of the mill above the railing is thatched.  This one is near Riepe where I joined the Ems-Jade Kanal route for a few kilometres before coming into Emden.

Booked in at the Jugendherberge and am here till first thing Wednesday as the ferry over to Delfzjil only runs Wed, Fri, Sat.  I did the ride around the Dollart, a fair sized body of water, and fancied a different view plus I will still be two days ahead of my timing to get to Amsterdam.

A few buildings and places in Emden.  Neue Kirche.

The gateway through to the Stadtgarten.  The building houses the Ostfriesishes Landesmuseum (As far as I can work out: The East Fresian Area Museum).

Ratsdelft.  The SAR boat 1st left is the Seenotrettungkreuzer (Sea-going Rescue Cruiser) The George Breusing.

Museumsfeuerschiff (Light Ship, now a museum) Deutsche Bucht.

The Fishergirl of Emden.

The Street Sweeper still at it.

Breakfast as there was no catering staff at the hostel till the hoards moved in this afternoon!  A toasted salami and cheese baguette.

Back into town tomorrow to sus out the route to the ferry pickup point.