Alan: Sunday 25th
I guess no one would start a trip to Norway from Scotland by getting a ferry to Zeebrugge but cie la vie. Anyway, we woke to lashing rain and felt somewhat despondent but we were premature, as on arrive the rain had more or less passed. We had met a couple of Glasgow bikers also on their first European trip so shared a laugh as we parked up just beyond passport contol, to get "organised". In reality though this was a little bit of hesitation before we hit Europe for real. Not that twice around the Zeebrugge docks counts but at least we got held up waiting at a huge bridge over the canal to suggest we were "en continent".

With the sun occasionally breaking through the thin cloud and drying up the wet roads, it really started to become humid. I radioed dad how he was doing and he said fine. I suggested a stop to change clothes as I was feeling somewhat warm with my vest and shirt on under my motorbike stuff. You can imagine how astounded I was as dad had two fleece tops and 3 vests! Anyway 3 layers lighter and he was a much happier man.

Our route took us through 3 countries in 3 hours. Hard to believe Belgium and Holland are so small.

Motorway all the way meant we didn't see much as we passed Brugge, Antwerpen, Eindhoven, Duisburg and Dortmund to gladly discover a hotel just south west of Hanover around 7:30

Not sure we are sampling much of Germany though, as we are staying in a Tulip Hotel (read Travel lodge) and just had a huge burger in Michael's America Diner. Still, a hot bath awaits to ease a rather aching back side.

Tomorrow Denmark!