Europe 2014: Texel island

Today's distance: 47km (30 Miles)

Shorter day today since we decided to head up to Texel island which is part of the Wadden islands, dotting the top of Holland. Had a wonderful breakfast and conversation with the owners of the B&B about the region we were in. Also about what the Dutch have started to do in anticipation of rising sea levels since about 70% of the country is below sea level now. He said that they are building manmade sand islands off the coast, letting the wind and water carry the sand to the mainland where it helps fortify the dunes that are already there. You can count on the Dutch to never give up the battle against the elements of the sea.

It was an overcast and slightly misty morning when we set off to catch the ferry in Den Helder to Texel. Felt kind of nice for a change, especially since the winds had calmed as well. We followed the bike signs to Den Helder when we reached a guard house in the middle of the road and a person in uniform came out to ask us if we had a pass to enter. Apparently there was a military installation of some kind ahead of us. He said that we had to go back 3km to the bridge we had crossed and go in a different direction. I really got to push my Dutch to the limit in a spirited "debate" with him why they would put a sign pointing to Den Helder, but no mention that you would eventually need a special pass further up the road. He sympathized with us and agreed it was dumb, but that he had strict orders to not let anyone through. We both wished each other a nice day while we turned the Bike Friday's around to retrace our tracks. It would have been more irritating if it was at the end of the day, but we were still fresh and in a good mood.

We had understoood the B&B owner to tell us that it would take over an hour on the ferry, when in actuality it was only 20 minutes. Surprised us because we were enjoying a nice cup of coffee and gevuldekoek when they announced that all should get back to their cars and bikes quickly to disembark. We didn't have a chance to put of helmets or gloves so rode off like the rest of the Dutch bicycle riders. Many Germans out and about as well..

Found our camping ground which again is part of a farm. Set up the tent and headed into the nearest town (De Koog) to get some groceries for lunch and breakfast in the morning. We then biked to the beach and sat now under sunny skies, enjoying our lunches and people watching of course. Not an official nude beach but some evidently took advantage of the nice weather to get rid of their tan lines...

Made a reservation at an Indian restaurant for tonight.. Heading for Hoorn and then Enkhuizen where we will catch the ferry to Friesland the next day.