84. Europe Bicycle Trip--SAND---De Vriendschap and More SAND

I made it to the other end of Texel Island with about 30 minutes to spare. Two other touring couples came also. I was worried about all the SAND between the office and the funny looking dock. The guys from the boat came up to chat for a while and I asked if I could have help pushing Silver through the sand. They were very helpful for the rest of the trip. The boat only goes if the weather is good and today was perfect.

Sand and a long high dock

Our boat-De Vriendschap     Everyone else had to take off their front bags but Silver was brought on first by one of the sailors and did not need anything removed.

A nice ride

The head sailor brought out a drink for everyone for a small fee.

Juttertje from Texel

The dock on Vlieland Island

All the people that had spent the day on the island were coming to board and go back to Texel. Because the dock was so narrow we had to wait for everyone to board before we could start to leave. It must have been a 100 meters long!

When I looked out to the side it was like a desert of wet SAND.

I walked Silver as it was too dangerous to ride.

View back to the water of the Waddenzee

Waiting for us was a HUGE truck.

The driver told us it would be bumpy and when we came to the dunes there would be a big uphill followed by a downhill. He said that this part of the island was military land and he hoped there would be no shooting this evening.

Leaving the long dock behind

Deep ruts in the SAND. You don't want to stop and get stuck out here.

Apparently the truck brings day excursions out to this spot.

I had to check Silver frequently.

On the North Sea side of the island , we followed the shore for quite a while.

An oil rig

Finally we went up and then down a big hill and came to the dunes.

I got off the boat wtih Ken and his wife from British Columbia. They are cycling up the coast to Denmark.