You know how when you strike it lucky but have a feeling that being one up on the group is probably a bad thing….

So we duly arrived the ferry port of Malmo, reaffirming that the docks in a huge city is really the plug hole of the place. Even this was not without incident though for the official GPS track took us to completely the wrong part of the harbour – which in this case is pretty big, so we had to tack on an extra 5km or so to an already lengthened day.

And with the now standard GBI organizational planning we stood around from 6pm until we could board at 9pm. At least we could change though and so were at least comfortable if a bit sticky! During this time we received our cabin allocations. Joyously we had a double cabin to share rather than a 4 berther or even 6 berther. This is where we should have known better.

It felt strange to pedal the bike on board across the truck loading gangway competing with huge 18 wheelers. Once on board we stowed the bikes on the truck deck too. Well, stowed is a generous description – propped against the wall (bulkhead) is a better description.

Feeling small and insignificant next to the leviathan vehicles we made our way to the cabin. Horror. A tiny airless prison cell with hardly enough room to swing a mouse, never mind a cat! Internally located, with no natural light and devoid of any discernible ventilation. Just desserts for grabbing the only double cabin. Those with the four and six berth options would have been suitably amused – if we had told them!

Anyway – all ends happily as after a rather good buffet dinner the kind receptionist upgraded us without charge. Apparently a couple of truck drivers didn’t pitch so there was one cabin (yes, just one) spare. This on a ship with more accommodation than many hotels. But what a cabin! Better than many hotel have had the pleasure of checking out of in Europe. With en suites (admittedly smallish) beds, desk, TV, occasional chairs and table and – wait for it – a window! Oh, and a few floors up. The ship has seven decks.

The route the next day was 120km or so from coast down to Hamburg. Just to remind you, that will be day 4 on the bike after

Totaling 656km in the three days.