Day 6 - Rotterdam to Middelburg

Last night, news that Rotterdam could have been a terrorist target was slightly discomforting but the news/names reads a bit surreal and this morning BBC has modified the article slightly.

My third 100km ride this trip so hopefully the backside is well rested.

The Dutch must be made of different stuff to sun bath and swim here in such wind! Some have winter jackets zipped to the chin.

The toughest ride yet and it's not over. Riding all day into a 12mph headwind along vast exposed coastline and high dykes is demanding and slow going. At least it's sunny and dry:) Could be a lot worse.

No gourmet restaurant on route so have to settle for this deep fried satay in a beach hut. (It's really good!) I normally wash my face to refresh mid way but this tap water here is salty! Urghh! Apparently this Neeltje Jans Island is famous for its mussels.

Middelburg

Finally reached the Airbnb place at 5pm exactly but no answer. Only afterwards did I get a message asking me to get the keys from a nearby restaurant which was all dark inside so I went strolling the city instead.

The apartment is nice but the absence of the landlady and the intro over the phone sucks.

Love the art deco and chose it because it's right in the centre next to the town hall.

Went strolling by the marina before my booked table for one at the highly reviewed seafood place Restaurant Basalt.

Creative appetiser steak tartare with radish in curry sauce

Scallops with wasabi fish roe, Ikura, Coppa di Parma and curry sauce.

Ordered three starters in the end. They kinda served it to me wrong so I just went along. Started with warm scallops with coppa di Parma and fish roe in curry masala. Followed by the surprise cold razor clams which was still tasty especially with the cream dressing. But I needed something hot so ordered the shellfish bisque which is like a lobster bisque full of crayfish. Really good. Finished with their aperitif cava with lemon cells and this: