Day 12+: Harrogate to the North Sea and Amsterdam

It was time to leave the UK. Our trip to Newcastle was quiet and easy, at least compared to the trip going to Harrogate. Very fitting for a Sunday. In Newcastle there was plenty of rain, a little confusion about where to get the bus for the boat*, and a great lunch perfectly located at The Town Wall.

Packing up. Should we leave them here?

After experiencing Stena's buses here and there, we got quite a shock to see just what a trade DFDS do with foot passengers. They have something like 8 buses to shuttle people back and forth. The Port of Tyne ferry/cruise terminal resembles a modern airport. You walk on to the boat, greeted by an array of staff eager to give you freebies and help you to your room. My only (predictable) criticism is the cost of the food. Captive market and so on... Our solution was to share a pizza. Matt can't eat pizza, but given his worries over a repeat experience of ferry sickness whilst on a stupidly long ferry trip, he didn't want to eat much anyway (until breakfast of course).

Views of Tynemouth Pier and Tynemouth Castle and Priory on the way out

Children are spoilt for choice. Lego, drawing, video, ball pond, a slide...

Dusk

The views going out were great, and the price of a glass of wine was worth it just have it whilst watching the sunset colours over the big blue ocean. We had a good night's sleep, and after going through a fairly civilised experience getting off the boat, coaches were waiting to take us to Amsterdam. This last bit was a bit confusing: apparently you can book your spot in advance. Otherwise the driver will want €10. Pro tip: book in advance. Backup solution: Go inside and buy it from the service desk, you seem to get the advance price that way. The coaches are a bit of a pain for a short journey with luggage and a buggy; the busses in Newcastle were very buggy and luggage friendly.

*I can't do a whole lot to resolve the confusion, because the bus stop was moved, apparently just for a day or two during our trip. I'll try anyway though. Come out of the station, cross the road and head for the street between the church building (left) and Gotham Town (right) - Bewick Street. The bus stop is on the right, the bus number is 327 and it leaves (officially) at 2.45 and 3.45pm. It seems though that they run a more or less rolling service with many buses.

The elusive bus timetable