Very anticlimactic border crossing, no cool signs to pose by, although to be fair did cross via a cycle path over a sluice.

No obvious changes on the other side, and after a few miles reached a little ferry, necessary for crossing the estuary. It was already nearly full and ready to sail - small foot ferry - jam packed with touring cyclists, more than I've seen in the last two weeks! Where did they all appear from!
The ferryman stowed my bike, fortuitously as it turned out, next to two French guys who introduced themselves as Quentin from Monaco and Alex by way of Brussels - and guess what - they are both heading for Norway!
So it suddenly seems like rather than an obscure trip, this is actually a common pilgrimage for thirtyish guys who need a break from the grind.
It has been nice to have some empathetic company for the last couple of days, and share the effort of navigation and wondering where to sleep, but our schedules are different so had to say goodbye today as I head for Bremen while they make a bee line northward.

The German coast has been characterized by being extremely windy and always blowing the wrong way, and being covered in wind turbines. More regular pockets of woodland and dare I say slight gradients have crept in, along with a reduction in dykes and waterways.
Along the river banks, massive cranes and industrial works are more prevalent.
Campsites are now exclusively sprawling holiday parks jam packed with back to back caravans and campers, giving the incentive to spend the last two nights wild camping, with no problem at all (not technically legal but the same rules apply as anywhere else, if you're out of sight then who's to know)
A few long days in the saddle though, clocking 130km and 120km, so glad to have a shower today!

Also, saw a German Shepherd dog being used for shepherding! (Of cows)

Couldn't find anywhere to watch the champions league final, every bistro and bar was closed by 9pm! Same story yesterday trying to buy fish and chips. Early bedtimes!

And enough of these public holidays, blimey! Supermarkets now have more sausages and less cake :(