After all the eager anticipation and planning the day had finally arrived. Two bikes from Silsden, one from Burley in Wharfedale and two from Ilkley, we were away on a five day tour bound eventually for Einbeck in Germany. Five bikers and myself as a pillion passenger.
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| Self Riding Pillion |
The trip to our port of departure Hull was made in good weather, perhaps a little cool but not uncomfortable. Our bike arrived first and had no problem having our passports checked and getting our boarding cards and cabin keys. Unfortunately there was a delay with the other bikes and we had to wait twenty minutes due apparently to a booking problem, it was resolved and on we went to strap the bikes down on the car deck. Our ferry that night was the MS Pride of Rotterdam and according to the technical data sheet available on board was built in Venice and launched on the 29th September 2000. We were to travel to Rotterdam Europort a distance of 204 nautical miles/378 km
Our cabins were small but functional for our one night trip, all bags were quickly stowed and we made our way to the bar and relaxation. The entertainment that night was in the form of a guitarist/singer with backing tracks followed by another singer also with backing tracks, I think the ferry company must be making cut backs as the last time I had the pleasure of travelling with them we were entertained by a full band, much more atmospheric but to give our evenings entertainment their due we all enjoyed that part of the evening.
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| Dining in Style |
We decided as it was our first night to dine in the Four Seasons Buffet Restaurant, I seem to recollect the price was about eighteen pounds, it was well worth it including several courses and virtually all you could eat. One word of advice based on our experience, don't leave it to late to eat as some dishes at the buffet appeared not to be replenished as the night goes on. One nightcap after the meal and then away to bed, unfortunately I had drawn the short straw and found myself in the top bunk, okay to climb into but if you need to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night in the dark its an adventure. The next morning we were awakened by the tannoy announcing our imminent arrival at Europort.
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| Europort |
