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.
 

Four days to catch up on now I'm back on line!

After setting off from Bad Segeberg there were some good bits and some not so good!  A great bike path took me over 20km before some smaller roads and dirt trails caused me a few problems.  A complete lack of signage saying what was where!  Plenty of bike signs with arrows pointing this way and that but some place names would have been a big help.  However after 108km of pedalling I arrived at Gluckstadt Youth Hostel.

A quick shot out of my bedroom window at Gluckstadt Hostel.

A nice spot, right by the harbour.

Tim Kaarsemaker from Amsterdam was billeted in the same dormitory and was cycling to Copenhagen.  He had recently completed his degree as a high school art teacher and needed some "bike time" after three months of sweating over a computer!!

A calm crossing over the Elbe.

Followed by a quiet ride to Otterendorf.

The Elbe, a couple of shots from the Dyke.

A few street scenes in Otterendorf.

A bronze of the Town Crier and audience.

Strudel and a coffee.  Well you have to try these things out!!

Breakfast was served in the Ratskeller below the Town Hall.

A view from the dyke while leaving Otterendorf on my way to Cuxhaven.  That there is the North Sea.

Miles of this and hundreds of those woolly things!

Lunch at Cuxhaven Camping Platz; Currywurst Nicer than it looks!!

On the way to Bremerhaven, I think it's the daughter of the lady I met on my North Sea bike ride.

A hazy view over a camp site towards Bremerhaven and the Weser.

This huge container port was under construction last time I was through here.

I managed to get a room at the Youth Hostel in Bremerhaven and this morning it was a ride through the city to the ferry over the Weser to Blexen.

Some of the modern architecture by the harbour.

The Weser.

A twelve minute crossing.

The first few splats of rain got me right by a bus shelter!!  Unfortunately the next lot got me a couple of kilometres from Varel!

Am warm and dry now though and heading towards Emden tomorrow.

 

Not much of a push today, weather colder and not much sun. What's the world coming to!!

Reasonably early start, 0830 and off on some back roads, was soon onto roads with a bit more traffic but at a junction with the road I was after there right across the carriageway was a cycle path set back a few metres from the road and it ran the whole of the 35km to Bad Segeberg!  Not particularly interesting riding but better than traffic dodging.

 Geared up and just about ready to go.

And here we are in Bad Segeberg.  On the plinth one of the town's eminent citizens.  When I walked back up the street later in the afternoon the council workers had finished sorting out the water supply and it turned out that this guy was a water feature.  Water was gently bubbling out of his top hat and out of four spouts in the base of the plinth!  Any guesses as to what his job was??  I'll try and find out.

Just a few of the buildings that impressed me.

The Market Square.

An impressive doorway even for a bank.

That's the rest of it!

The pedestrianized bit.  Sand pit sponsored by local toy shop.  Most of the planters are council property but one or two are sponsored and maintained by florist shops.

Segebergsee.

I read that there was some work by a Native American.  There are five pillars and you have to get into the right spot to see how they all come together.  I wandered round and round them but for the life of me I couldn't quite make out what I was looking at but thought as I'd taken the trouble to see them I'd better take a photo,  It wasn't until I looked at the photo it started to make sense.  If I'd moved a bit further away and to the left it would probably have worked.  Anyway, I can see a face on the right with a feathered war bonnet flowing left..........or is it just me???

That's it for today, I've still got stuff to do.