Day 21: Oudeschip - Borkum - Oudeschip

Woke up with the morning sun shining through Gret's homemade curtains - a spectacle of colors!

Jan expected us for breakfast at 8 o'clock. After the first sip of coffee, lively chatting ensued. We rode our bikes to Heemshaven to catch the ferry to Borkum. That's an 8 km ride. The return journey took a bit longer as we took a different route.😜

A strong wind (85 km/h) was blowing on the ferry, leaving its mark on the island as well. The benches on the boulevard were completely buried in sand.

The town was quite crowded with many German families. Once we took a slightly more secluded path, it became much quieter. We first explored the town and then went to the beach to visit the Louis Mission.🦭

With binoculars at the ready, we kept an eye out for the seals. And behold, around 30 creatures were lying on the sandbank. We watched through the binoculars for a while and then sat on the terrace overlooking the whole scene with the seals, delighted to see a new clique forming around Louis.😊

We also visited the aquarium and went for a beer on the island within sight of the train station, where we started our journey back at 5:40pm.

We had a meal on the ferry and then cycled back to Jan and Greetje's place (taking the infamous detour). There, we were offered a drink and spent an hour chatting outside in their garden.

Just as we were about to go to bed, we heard the hooting of an owl. We quickly got dressed and went outside to see. And sure enough, we saw a couple of owls flying and sitting in the tree behind the house. Overjoyed, we went to sleep. (I copied and added a photo taken by our host of the tawny owls!)

Until tomorrow!

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Woke up with the morning sun shining through the self-made curtains, a light spectacle. Jan expects us at 8 for breakfast, and after the first sip of coffee, we're already chatting again. Then we get on our bikes and casually head towards Eemshaven, where the ferry is located (a good 8.5 km away). The return journey takes a bit longer due to some unplanned sightseeing 😄

We're almost blown away on the ferry! The wind is blowing at 85 km/h, leaving its traces on the island as well. The benches along the beach are completely buried in sand!

The town is crowded with German families, but a few streets further it's already much quieter. After buying a sandwich in the supermarket, we eat it while walking around and explore the rest of the town. Afterwards, we head to the beach, where we stroll along the boulevard and look for the part where we can see Louis/seals!

Walking is made difficult by sand blowing hard in our faces, so sunglasses and a hood are necessary!

When we arrive at the spot, we immediately see 30 of them, yes! We look through the binoculars for a while and then sit on the terrace with a great view of the whole scene with the seals while enjoying our second beer. We're happy 😊

We also visit the aquarium and then go to have our last beer on the island within sight of the train station, where we start our journey back at 5:40pm.

We have a bite to eat on the boat and then cycle back to Jan and Greetje's place (taking the famous detour). There, we're offered a drink and chat outside with them for a pleasant hour.

Just as we're almost in bed, we hear the hooting of an owl and immediately get dressed and go outside to have a look. And indeed, we see a couple of owls flying and sitting in the tree behind the house. We go to sleep very happy. (I copied and pasted a photo our host took of the eagle owls!)

Until tomorrow!