Lunch is taken in a wooden bus shelter, commodious enough for bikes too. We just beat 4 German tourers to it, who then have to wait to cross the busy road to the shelter on the other side. After lunch a monsoon sets in so I resort to that most attractive of head gear - the plastic bag under the helmet, previously modelled by NZ Judy (sorry for sniggering at you).
Eventually the rain stops as we reach the very attractive little fishing port of EMDEN. Despite it being a 3 day holiday weekend we secure a room with balcony overlooking the fishing boats.
There is a bit of a dash next morning to catch the tiny ferry from PETKUM to DITZUM, as it only runs hourly. The views from it are of the Dollart Bay with avocet, shelduck, curlews and lapwing feeding on the mud.
The weather hots up and after days of everywhere looking like Holland we are now actually there! We are not sure where we crossed the border but by the village of BEERTA all the car regs are NL and we don't understand the signs.
The canal we follow into GRONINGEN is big enough to take massive oil barges, with road and rail bridges opening to let them through. In the old town centre there are thousands of students drinking or on bikes as it is their Freshers week.
Kleis is our warm showers host. A very experienced winter tourer, his last trip was Texas and the Florida area, where he met some fascinating Americans and lots of mozzies.
Next day was our longest mileage so far this trip, at 101miles, all flat and in sunshine, but with a strong headwind. Alongside canals and sometimes waiting at opening bridges for yachts to pass under, finally we cross a large Polder and road bridge to reach the town of LELYSTADT. This has a beautiful new harbour full of tall ships and a few fishing boats. Our W.Showers host, Vanessa, cycles to meet us and takes us to her house.
Miles to date 3,788
Location:WILHELMSHAVEN to LELYSTAD
