At 10:30 we rode off to Eemshaven where we upon arriving are going to board the Ferry to Kristiansand. A friend did ride along with us for a short part of the way. Soon we reached the Highway and continued out journey north to the Afsluitdijk. The roadworks at the afsluitdijk appeared not a big hold up after all.
Pictures are added later. The WiFi on the Ferry is not strong enough to facilitate up- and downloads of large files, especially not after dinner time when a lot is returning to their cabins.
So, after 80 km’s we did a quick stop to stretch our legs and i forgot to put my earplugs in so that could be fixed as well. We met some other Norway travellers on their bikes and had some discussions with them. After 10 minutes we continued our way. We quickly passed the City of Groningen where the new road was opened. This saved us 10 minutes because we did not need a d-tour now. After some turnes we left the city of Groningen behind us, and continued on a 2-lane road towards Eemshaven with the green graslands surrounding us. Electrical Windmills where forming the landscape more and more so we knew we where vastly approaching the Eemshaven.
We entered Eemshaven at 13:00 in the afternoon and the cruiseships and Ferry’s welcomed us to the harbour. We drove around to the check-in and got in line of the Queue. While our engines ware spinning, and the fan of the cooling was blazing, we got up to the front of the queue where a lady with rastahair friendly greeted us. After she checked our boarding pass, we were instructed to form a new line of bikes in front of the existing one. There were already 50 bikes waiting.
On YouTube i saw that bikes where boarding before the cars, but here we waited 2 hours in the sun with no information of the how and when. Finally when all cars, busses, caravans, campers, bicycles and walkers were aboard, all the approx. 100+ bikes were allowed to board. Because i was in the new formed second line, i was allowed to enter the Ferry in front of the line.
When parked, it is expected you figure out how to secure your bike to the floor. There was only one hole in the floor. Appearantly this ship is not suited for that much of bikes on the main deck. Luckally the sea is calm but i think i should leave it to the gods. So, i removed my clothing bag from my panier and added the camera bag, and toiletbag from the top case. Now went from deck 1 to deck 8 to find our cabin.
The cabin is 2 meters wide by 3 meters deep with 2 beds and 1 bath/toilet closet with a sink. We even have a TV on the wall. The furniture is simple and effective. We put our riding gear on the beds and changed into more comfortable clothes and left for the prommenade to watch the departure from the harbour. After some time enjoying the views, we head inside to the bar for drinks followed with dinner and bedtime.
Tomorrow the are arriving in Norway and set-off to our first adventures.
Frank’s Rides 