After resting up overnight and refuelling in den Helder we were off again to visit Vlieland one of the Frisian Islands we missed out on visiting during last years trip to the Netherlands. Another fine sunny day (29th April) we motor sailed for 5 hours against the tide around the N Sea coast of Texel and Vlieland. We arrived at the Marina at low tide and it was rammed. it is still school holidays in the Netherlands and everyone is out in force. We are directed to the last free space in the 12 meter area and squeeze into it ready for a sundowner.
The following day (30th April) we hired electric bikes to explore the island and its bird life on a warm sunny spring day. Great cycle paths through a range of habitats, woodland, dunes, heath and coastal marshland, surrounded by lovely sandy beaches. The Island has a reputation for amazing bird populations, particularly migrants. We weren't disappointed hearing and seeing a number of warblers, whitethroats,, large numbers of grey lag geese with their young, barnacle geese, eider ducks and many others. The highlight though was hearing four nightingales with their amazing loud song. A rare and threatened species it was a real treat rounded off with the call of our first cuckoo.
We headed back across bike tracks cut through dunes and heath to the pretty and only town on the island Oost Vlieland. What a contrast, a colourful main street with throngs of tourists here for the children's Easter holidays! A well earned beer and back to the boat for dinner.
Tomorrow (May 1st) we set sail for another long overnight trip to Cuxhaven on the river Elbe and from there along the Kiel Canal to the Baltic.