No Princess and No Peas!

I forgot yesterday to post my location and distance cycled!

Today I did 83.5 miles to Den Oever.

Last nights room was a bit dodgy. I think a well known author had stayed in there at some time. The book was ‘Rusty Bedsprings’ by I. P. Knightly! I certainly am no Princess who could detect the Pea under the mattress but it did creak a lot.

I collected my bike from the store, nice and early.

I had a good breakfast at the hotel before starting. Muesli, yoghurt, fresh breads, sliced meats and cheeses and boiled egg. I passed on the pastries! That’s what I call ‘will power’.

The fairy dust must have worked this morning (or was it my huge calorie intake) as my pumpkin and I flew through the coastal dunes at speed with some wind assistance.

I did my first ferry trip across a large canal.

The dunes landscape can be quite unearthly.

There were few towns to mention and I didn’t see much of the sea for the first 40 miles. It was mostly over the other side of the dunes. When I found the sea I also found a cafe for a coffee that I was desperate for.

I thought I would plough on without a lunch. I relied on a banana and my homemade Grasmere Gingerbread.

I reached the main town of the route, Den Helder. It was a Naval base and still seems to have a presence.

By the way – if you subscribe to get emails I think you have to select the online blog to properly get the videos. They might exceed the data for an email!

It was on the way into Den Helder that I got a total soaking. Well, it was going to happen sometime today! I didn’t dissolve.

I took refuge in the Maritime Museum. I had a walk around when it dried up.

The last 15 miles were a bit of a chore. I needed a second piece of Gingerbread!, but I got to Den Oever which is at the southern end of the Afsluitdijk causeway. It is over 20 miles long and crosses IJsselmeer; a man made lake by those clever Dutch engineers.

My accommodation looks OK. I have a bedroom for three people. A bit better than last night. I certainly will be ready for sleep tonight. My shoes are drying out as I write! Good job there is a hairdryer in the room.

The owner told me there is a bereavement gathering downstairs this evening. I think I will make myself scarce.

I managed a walk to the fishing harbour…

The town has a proper windmill too. Only the second I have seen so far.

My evening meal was at the harbour. A very popular fish restaurant.

So, in summary, today there were no Princess’ or Peas!