I started the day with the novel experience of cycling out of the hull of a ship. The terminal marshals held up a long line of freighted trucks as I swanned through on my bike. This was all very satisfying.
I soon discovered why the Netherlands is a cyclist’s paradise. Within seconds of leaving the terminal I was directed by signs to a cycle track independent of the road which would carry me all the way to Rotterdam. Much of the track wove through the dijks bordering the main channel of the delta that is fed by the Rhine and it was good to get acquainted with the river with which I will be spending most of the next month.
Again, navigation let me down once I arrived in Rotterdam and after an easy 90 minute ride it took me a further 90 minutes to locate my first host, Nicolas, who lived the other side of Kralingse Bos, a beautiful leafy area which I had chosen to name Cranny-yeah Park in my several requests for directions. No wonder it took so long.
On arrival at Nicolas’ flat I remembered that he had told me his bell wasn’t working and my heart sank. With my phone out of action and no internet (a request at a local insurance company was frostily denied) I had no idea what to do. Thankfully a passerby noted my distress and managed to locate and negotiate with someone to get me into the building.
Eventually I made it up to the third floor of the block and the home of the aforesaid Nicolas, who has been very accommodating. I have had the afternoon off which has given me a chance to run a few errands and prepare the next few stages.
Distance covered 22 miles
