Day 5, Tuesday, August 25, 2012
31 miles all over Texel Island.  After everyone arrived back at the Angela Esmee, the boat departed for Texel Island.  The trip started by going through a lock.  Although we have seen many locks, we have never been through one.  Dinner was at sea and quite delightful.  After arriving, we wandered around Oudeschild and saw the dike which runs the entire eastern side of the island.

 Today was YOYO-you're on your own.  We decided to head to Den Burg for some coffee and a goodie.  However it wasn't very far away and we weren't ready for our morning break.  We walked around this very old village and did some window shopping.  Unfortunately the shop selling yarn made from local sheep was closed on Tuesday.  Having my fill of shops, we headed off.  We spied this door within a door on our way out of town.

 As we headed down the road towards deWaal, we noticed a fietspad-bike path-that was headed in our direction so we left the road.  It ran along a field of sheep and a wooded hedgerow.  The odd thing about the sheep raised here, in general the Dutch do not like lamb and it is almost all exported.

 We reached de Waal in no time.  This very old  and tiny village had a restaurant, but no morning coffee.  This tidy property with art work and garden is typical of the homes on the island.  We left deWaal and turned to the east.  We were certain that there would be many options in de Koog which is a resort town.  We were not disappointed and found a seat under an awning to enjoy our break while there was a shower.

It was too overcast and cool for Paul to jump in the North Sea. (He did go swimming yesterday, but there wasn't a picture worth publishing.) Since it was only 11:30, we decided to pedal up to de Cocksdorp.  Suddenly the bike path was in a very wooded area with small hills and many other riders.  We even saw some other tandems.

 While on our way to de Cocksdorp, we passed many sights.  This wooden windmill objet d'art was the most interesting.  We also passed the the island's airport which was a grass strip.  We continued on the well marked and numbered bike paths.  Most of the day we were not on any roads, just dedicated bike paths that often paralleled the road.

 We found a lovely bench in the shade.  It was a perfect spot for lunch and the small supermarket across the street offered free WiFi.  It is my observation that in Holland it is easier to find free WiFi than a public toilet.  It is still a beautiful place to visit.  The wind had been behinds most of the morning so we knew that the trip back to the boat would be a headwind.  We pedaled toward the ocean and the Lancasterdijk.

 When we reached the Lancasterdijk we were on a road that was between the ocean and the dike.  THe tide was out and clamming appeared to be the activity of the day.  Since the wind was from the southwest the dike offered us some protection.  We zipped down the dike road going 15/16 mph.  A few miles south, we had to cross over the dike to the road that was located on the land side of the dike.  Needless to say, our mph dropped. Tomorrow I will include the picture that was supposed be next.  I is an awesome view of our ride along the paved Lancasterdijk and the ocean.

 When we returned to Oudeschild, we went to the De Oude Vismarkt.  Paul treated himself to some local herring.  I offered to take the picture but decline to partake!  It was lucky that he did not decide to have the smoked eel.........I am not sure that I could have taken that picture!

 Then we went on the last adventure before boarding the boat.  About 20 peole from the tour went to the Trexel Brewery for a tour.  They make a traditional beer (not lager).  Our guide spoke to us in 3 different languages.  It took some time, but everyone got the story.  It was interesting and then we sample the goods.  THe flight of beer offered was varied and if I lived here, I would have 3 of the 4 again.

Paul also enjoyed a glass of their prize winning dark beer.  He enjoyed it and then we headed the mile back to the boat.  As soon as the bikes were all loaded on the the boat, we set sail for Den Oever where will spend the night.  This harbor overlooks a long dike that was built in 1932 and created land and a fresh water lake.  Early tomorrow morning we will pass through a lock into the lake and head south where we will begin our ride.  We are having quite a time