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Biking and birding at our own pace

Our ship arrived at the island of Texel yesterday evening.  Today Steve and I chose the option to bike on our own.  The maps we were given show the bike trails, and Google bikes seems to know them too.

We had another lovely day and I routed us to several ponds where our guides told us we might see migratory birds.  I circled the locations on our map.


The island has a lot of sheep.  They use the levees for grazing.
 


Occasionally there were steps or a ramp that went up over the levee.



The lakes were formed when there was a break in the levee.

I think that the water in what looked like a sea is fresh water.  That is what our guide told us.

The water side of the levee was paved part way up with a shelf that was now a bike path.



Our guide told us last night that this ship is where some Ukrainian refugees live.



We had fun identifying birds using the Merlin app from Cornell School of Ornithology.
 





I took a picture of the town name where we a topped for lunch.  It was a lovely little town.



My favorite bird for the day was the Eurasian Spoonbill.  A large lovely white bird with long floaty feathers on the back of its head. It reminded me of a lions mane when it shook its head.  The bird we saw was quite animated as it bathed and danced.

After lunch we entered some areas of sand dunes and saw several beautiful pheasants.


Even going our own pace we got back around 4:00 and rode about 26 miles.  I am coughing more and trying to stay away from crowds or sucking on cough drops.  I don't know how that will work at dinner tonight...

Our room is also our laundry room.  Each day we wash out the biking clothes and hang them around to dry.


Thanks for the comments on the previous posts.

It is good to know you are reading this and traveling along.  I still haven't figured out why everyone is showing up anonymous in the comments... except for Jim and Kathi.

I don't want to spend time figuring it out.  I would rather have conversations with our fellow travelers.

We are dining each night with a couple from Brazil.  Last night they showed us a video of their lovely town.  I tried to find a similar one for Inverness, but had no luck.  

Tomorrow is a sailing day!  We may get to help raise sails and stuff.  I will learn something new.


Comments

  1. BCRApril 30, 2025 at 3:24 PM

    Beth Richardson here. Sounds like a lovely day. Thanks for including pictures! Ta ta

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan Straley, AuthorMay 1, 2025 at 1:48 AM

      Hi Beth. I guess I missed mentioning that you aren't anonymous and neither is Ann Abeles. So I am not totally in the dark. Thanks for following along and cheering me on.

      Delete
  2. AnnApril 30, 2025 at 3:50 PM

    This day of biking and birding was really a great experience for you - and hopefully done at a pace that had you out in the sunshine and not being exhausted. I hope each day will be so enjoyable! We all show up as “anonymous” because the site wants us to sign in with our Google password but I haven’t figured out how.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ann AbelesApril 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM

    I think I managed to sign in with my Google account. The directions certainly are not very clear but there I am. Have fun each day and I certainly hope your cold stays on the mild side!

    ReplyDelete
  4. KathiApril 30, 2025 at 4:59 PM

    Fun to know there is another species of spoonbill. I only know the pink ones from Florida. Where are your friends from in Brazil? I know two Portugese words tudo bem/greeting and obrigado/thank you. O-bre-ga-do. Pronounced almost sounds like avocado

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan Straley, AuthorMay 1, 2025 at 1:45 AM

      Thanks. I will try those words. She works so hard on her English.

      They are from Curitiba Brazil, south of San Paulo.

      Delete
  5. AnonymousApril 30, 2025 at 5:06 PM

    Sue. Hope u get to learn something about sailing. U will love it I think. I used to sail from pensacola as the captain of my boat from pensacola to Key West each summer when working and live aboard my 28’ Islander all summer. And I’ve chartered 44’ CSY’s in the Virgins, Leewards, and Windwards multiple times. I loved sailing so much when a younger woman. I hope u learn some basics !!! It’s easy to get hooked on this for sure. Am enjoying ur adventures. I always wanted to see the flowers in Holland by bicycle. Didn’t make it and now it’s too late. Enjoy all that on what sounds like a fun exciting trip for u and Steve..( sans the cough). Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan Straley, AuthorMay 1, 2025 at 1:41 AM

      Thanks Charlotte. I love hearing about your sailing days. And I know you enjoy your moments wherever you are. It's all about the attitude, yes?

      Delete
  6. MaryAnnApril 30, 2025 at 6:31 PM

    Finding the Birds you post so interesting, especially the Eurasian Spoonbill, one of Cindy's favorite birds & in yellow, what a treat.
    Smiles about the Elio, sadly $ failure for the Company, we switched over following Aptera, they had a Prototype on the streets, then political upheaval shook up the world & their promised grants/finding dried up, so we ARE looking at the small electric truck.
    Keep us posted, we follow car trends & live vicariously through good friends. MAR

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Susan Straley, AuthorMay 1, 2025 at 1:42 AM

      https://insideevs.com/news/757802/slate-ev-battery-chemistry-lfp/

      Delete
  7. JimMay 1, 2025 at 8:34 AM

    Diggin the birds. Glad you guys are having a great time.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousMay 1, 2025 at 9:29 AM

    Wow on the birds! What a wonderful trip. Enjoy every moment. Cindy

    ReplyDelete

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