Arrival in Shetland

My Bicycle
First, a few words about my bicycle: Simplon Kagu frame, the bike dealer I trust has attached the components he believes in and that I like. Among other things, it has a Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 and an Airwings seat post. I also have a belt drive and a lowrider now. The Backroller bags are from Monsterando, and the Frontroller bags from Ortlieb. I've been using the Ortlieb handlebar bag for 15 years.

Munich - Amsterdam - Ferry to Newcastle
On June 2, 2025, we will start the adventure around 10 PM. We take the train to Munich, actually 1 hour too early. The original plan to take the S-Bahn at 11:09 PM is canceled due to construction work on the main line. Experienced S-Bahn riders always check whether the planned S-Bahn is actually running or how delayed it is anyway.
Around 11:40 PM, DB prepares the ICE train to Kiel, which we will take to Cologne. First shock moment: my bike doesn't fit in the reserved space due to the lowrider, which has the horizontal suspension at the front. I reject the first idea of unscrewing the lowrider as impractical. The attempt to place the bike in one of the spaces with ceiling suspension works. It should not matter to the cyclist boarding in Ulm where their bike is stored - that's what I think, and I'm supported by everyone around, including the conductor. And indeed, the couple from Ulm had no complaints!
The transfer in Cologne to the ICE to Amsterdam goes similarly. I take a ceiling hanger, and that's that. We reach Amsterdam on time (!).
We have time; we need to be at the DFDS terminal in Ijmuiden by 4 PM, where the ferry to Newcastle departs. It's about a 1.5-hour drive. Unfortunately, I suddenly have a part of my rearview mirror in my hand while attempting to readjust it. We can't manage to push the part into the ball bearing. But we pass by a bike shop, and a strong man easily fixes it...
The idea arises to cycle via Haarlem, terra incognita for us. We left Amsterdam quickly, it was too busy there. We didn't regret the detour; the city made a good impression.
We finally reach the check-in at the terminal. The booking was successful, we pass the first passport control, and we are allowed onboard. The reserved cabin with porthole is small, but we manage to fit everything: my 5 pieces of luggage and my wife's 4. Because we slept poorly on the ICE, after exploring the ship, we have a beer and then a lot of sleep. The sea is rough, but I can still sleep. And how...
At 7 AM, breakfast is served, a buffet like in a hotel. I eat my tried-and-true 'setting': muesli, eggs, bacon, and beans, a roll with jam, honey, and Nutella. Along with a pot of black tea - now the next journey can come.

Newcastle - Aberdeen
It takes a while for us and the other vehicles to be allowed off Deck 4 of the ferry. Another passport control, a picture of the ferry, and off we go to the station, which should take about an hour. We ride a bit on Hadrian's Wall, of course no longer in its Roman original. Then we go down to the Tyne, the city gets closer, but we have to overcome a good incline to reach the station. I get exact instructions from a very friendly lady from the service team on where we should stand, what to note, and that the train is on time. That was my biggest concern, that due to train delays, we would miss the ferry. Our train has 4 bicycle spaces, 2 on the left, 2 on the right, each in a lockable compartment that can only be opened by the staff. A compartment was reserved for us, but the lady from the service immediately realized that this wouldn't work with our bikes. Therefore, the bikes are separated, and the compartments locked.

Aberdeen - Lerwick (Shetland)
The fear of delays was completely unfounded; we arrive in Aberdeen super punctually, leisurely cycle to the terminal, wait a bit, roll the bikes onto the ship, and store them as instructed (mine is tied to a trash can). We take our cabin (with porthole). It's even more comfortable than with DFDS, although not larger. We end the day with fish & chips with peas and a beer, enjoying the beautiful sky over Aberdeen, and are happy to have made it through the first 2 days dry-footed.
The sea is rougher than on the first trip, but we cope well. Breakfast at 6:30 in the cafeteria on board - guess what - consists of eggs, bacon, and beans, which strengthens me for the first ride in Shetland.