Days 4 and 5 ( Tues June 10th / Wed June 11th)

Day 4 – Den Helder to Harlingen

Pouring down as I had my last brekkie with my cycling buddies and pedalled off east , alone for the first time . Some of friends heading back to Haarlem and a couple going off to the island of Texel off the North coast. Through the big port area of Den Helder on big roads with thundering trucks ( I was on a cycle way so no worries) but then quickly into quiet farming country (still raining) -quiet but big fields . Dawned on me that even though you’re a small country , if you’re flat – you can make your fields big ! As I pass the odd person on two wheels, I exchange “ Hoi” – they might even think I’m a native !
So approaching the Afsluitdijk , the major northern dyke constructed in 1930s and annexing part of the North sea ( the Zuiderzee) , I cycle onto a narrow path with stiff side wind thinking maybe this is it – the dyke – it’s a dead end . After a couple of enquires, transpires that the dyke is currently closed to cyclists as they reinforce it against ever increasing North sea threats due to climate change . Find the free bus stop and take the 20 min trip over what is a construction taking 4 lanes of traffic to keep the North Sea at bay . Manage to lose my bike lock keys somehow – irritating – so buy another lock in Harlingen which is 30mins cycle from bus drop/off . A bike shop is never far away when you’re in a town . Harlingen proves to be a charming port .

Day 5 Harlingen to Holwert ( see above )

Retraced my steps by 1km to get my 2nd landmark photo by the Stone Man statue erected in honour of Caspar de Robles who coordinated repair work to dykes after a storm in 1570. Now in Friesland , a land of farms , wind and many many sheep.

Arrived at my camp site on a sunny afternoon . Very friendly owner. Good spot to chill with a pizza and beer !