On a ferry to Rotterdam
The owner of the garden center where I was camped last night stopped by about 10 pm. He was worried about my safety and offered his yard to me but I assured him I would be all right. Then a neighbor woman, Carol, stopped by to offer to dry any wet clothes for me in her house. What a great idea, but I realized I didn't have anything wet. (I told you I was managing the rain.). But when she offered coffee in the morning, I accepted. Knowing the owner wanted me out if there early, I told her 7:30. So i met her hubby, Bernie, daughter and son all this morning. Got directions to The Mossbrook and the bus station and some ferry info. Didn't really know when I left there how the day would unfold.
Got my package! Had a new battery pack to my solar charger sent to PO in Eckington and it was there! We'll see if this one works better with my iPhone.
Then off to The Mossbrook. I thought it was an inn, but it's a darling pub...a ladies pub by the clientele for lunch. The manager treated me to a cup of coffee, a tour of the main floor of what was an old house, and really no clue as to why it was called The Mossbrook. It may well have been the name of the house since they like to name them here and the house behind had a plaque "Moss Bank".
A Mossbrook at The Mossbrook
Then I biked into downtown Sheffield not sure what my plan was. Go first to the bus station to see about a bus to the ferries. Hull or Harwich. Bike has to be bagged or boxed. What! Not gonna happen. Guess I'll have to bike to Hull. About 85 miles away. Let's see what they say at the train. Ticket counter: go to Information. Information: need to speak with a manager. Manager: you'll have to ask the conductor an the train platform. He makes the decision. Ok. What time is next train? ( I already know the ferry has to be boarded by 7 pm). Leaves in 30 minutes (3:41) and arrives at 5:10. Ok! Let's give it a try today. Might as well find out sooner rather than later if Blaze can go.
No problem! Fully loaded! What a breeze!
I'm off to the Netherlands tonight!!! Didn't even have time to mail the last of my postcards. Oh well.
And in my usual "can you answer a question for me?" way I met Andy Heard.
I needed to figure out how to get to the ferries from the train station. And we chatted the whole way to Hull. A gent overhearing my question drew me a map of how to get to the ferries and brought it over to me:). That's the magic that happens all the time. The train was better and faster than the bus. Got good directions. Passed a delightful afternoon with Andy.
And after only getting confused 3 times, I got to the ferry. And to make sure I appreciated all the hills of the UK, they had a steep ramp for me to climb just to get on it:). Thanks!!
So here I am! Off to Rotterdam on an overnight 12 hour ferry trip with a berth and SHOWER!!!!
Then to dinner which required a reservation. As I went back to the host to suggest that if another solo wanted to share my table so they could eat 45 minutes earlier and not alone, Ursula from Switzerland walks up. Sure. Meet ya back here at 8:15. So I had a dinner companion who spoke very good English, same age, and would never do what I'm doing! I understand. Some of my girlfriends feel the same way.
Now if the disco bar underneath me would just quiet down, I might get some sleep.
BagLady
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