Out/back and around Texel – 73.5km
A fairly early start this morning, breakfast in the apartment and then a brisk cycle the 10km to the ferry. Slighty damp, but more mist than rain which we hoped would clear.
Cycle.travel our favoured route planner did a great job of guiding us to the ferry port with no issues. We knew we were on the right track as we were passed by the Dutch Navy on a bike heading in the same direction. The ferries go every hour, but we were way ahead if time, so we had a short wait in the ferry terminal, which in comparison to Harwich, was superb.
For once we didn’t have the heaviest bike. Looking at the full on camping load, I’m beginning to think credit card touring is the way to go.
The ferry to Texel takes 20 mins, but like the terminal it’s none too shabby. Lovely and bright with a huge lounge and cafeteria. The only challenge, finishing tea and cake before we dock.
Sadly the view wasn’t up to much, hopefully it will clear.
What greeted us at Texel was steady rain, we hoped it would ease off, but it meant a lack of photo stops. We were heading to the far North of the Island to visit a lighthouse. One of the top ten tourist attractions here (it’s a very small island) . Fortunately, the rain eased off as we hit a small port halfway up the coast. It was home to a fairly good selection of working boats and masted ships
After that, things got a bit desolate as we cycled on up the coast. I expect the weather here would be quite unforgiving in winter. We had a good tailwind, so we speed along, but in the back if my mind I was thinking of the return journey (positive as always)
Finally we viewed the lighthouse in the distance and within the hour, we were hauling ourselves up the 180+ steps to the top.
I’m sure the view is spectacular on a clear day, even today it was impressive. Though couldn’t quite see England.
After we had negotiated the steps down, which was much more difficult, it was a 16km ride back to Den Burg, the island’s “capital” . The ride back was slightly more challenging with a fairly bracing headwind. So challenging for me, that it required a stop at a boutique hotel for a hot drink. The hotel lived up to it’s image with “cut glass” teacups and golden spoons. Two drinks for €7.50 which we didn’t think was too bad. Unfortunately no pastries, at least for us. All we could do was gaze enviously at the breakfast spread on a nearby table, where a large group of Dutch women were tucking into a mini feast of croissants, jam and pastries and another large group tucking into brunch. Quite what the ladies had been doing to have breakfast at 1300 was beyond me, but they all looked happy.
A quick snack stop in Den Burg and we were off again to the ferry port. Only 7km, but with the strong wind we didn’t want to leave things too late. In the event we had around 20 mins before the ferry left.
With heavier rain due, it was straight back to the apartment and a hot cup of tea. Dinner from Lidl tonight probably
