Day 21: Barendrecht - Hoek van Holland 🇳🇱 ⛴️ 🇬🇧 Harwich - Ardleigh

I was so comfortable, surrounded by familiar humans who gave me cuddles, food scraps (when Dad wasn't looking), and even a sofa just for me. Five days with Dad Edu's family: Uncle Antonio, Aunt Wilma, cousins Lars and Britte... and cousin-cat Tom, who seemed more like a ninja than a cousin. Because he appeared twice and disappeared another ten times. I don't understand cats. They have the power to become invisible. I've tried it with my ears, but it doesn't work.

The morning started with hugs and goodbyes. First Antonio and Lars went to work. I felt a little sad, I admit. Then, with our backpacks ready, we said goodbye to Wilma and Britte, who were a bit down. And Tom... well, Tom would be in his ninja cave, as always. Who knows.

At eleven, I jumped into the car with energy, thinking we were going to the park or something. But no. We went to Maassluis, to Lidl. Well thought out, it's not so bad either. Our pantry was pitiful and the fridge was emptier than a bone at a carnivore convention. Dad bought everything, but nothing that crunched or smelled like ham. Terrible.

Afterwards we went to the port of Hoek van Holland. That's when things got weird. A lady asked for our passports. Dad's, fine. Mine... well, look at that, too. But also, she took out a machine that beeped and passed it over my neck. There's my chip, of course. I thought: "What if instead of my chip, it detects my last prank?" Luckily, no alarm went off.

We had to wait in front of a traffic light with a barrier, watching the trucks go up on the boat. A boring parade, without music or croquettes. When it was finally our turn to go up, Dad Edu went down some stairs and left me in the camper. In the belly of the boat! Look, I'm not afraid, but the metal walls make strange noises and everything smells like motor, salt and... truck.

It turns out the boat had more floors than a shopping mall: garages, restaurants, bars, shops, lounges and two floors of cabins. But Dad said we hadn't reserved a cabin because it cost almost 70 euros and it was "only" six and a half hours. Only. SIX. HOURS. AND. A HALF. In a floating garage.

While I was watching the camper like a champion (with some tactical naps), Dad Edu had a good time: he ate, slept, watched things on TV, walked around, worked on his laptop... or so he says. I think he was bored just like me. On top of that, when we were almost arriving in England, the boat stopped. They announced that we would arrive half an hour later due to "traffic". Traffic? But you couldn't even see any ducks! Dad grumbled like when he loses the WiFi connection.

In the end, after eight in the evening (English time, which is an hour behind), the garage door finally opened and I was released. But I didn't have the body to walk. I got straight into the car seat, as if nothing had happened. Come on, I didn't even smell the boat from the outside. Straight to passport control. Long line. Long wait. This time no one asked for my passport or scanned my chip. I felt ignored. Where's the entry protocol for important dogs?

At nine we left the port. It was almost night, and Dad had a face of: "Which side of the road is the right one?". Because yes, friends, in England you drive on the other side. EVERYTHING upside down! I looked at him with eyes of "I trust you, but... are you sure this is right?"

We drove for half an hour to a small parking lot. There was another van there, more discreet than ours, but with the look of also sleeping inside. That gives me good vibes. Simple people, who know how to live well: without rushing, without hotels, with a picnic.

Before dinner we went for a short walk. Pee. Poop. Darkness. We didn't see anything of the surroundings. Only some suspicious shadows and a couple of bushes that smelled like a fox. But tomorrow... tomorrow we will explore everything with light! And if we're lucky, with a new stick to chew.

So here I am, writing this while Dad snores and I watch from the window (well, okay, also half asleep). England, get ready: Chuly the Explorer has arrived!