Day 368 22nd July
51 miles (Wittenberge to Tangermunde) Average speed 10.7 mph Top speed 22 mph
I got up at 8 and had brekkie of cheese and mushroom omelette and tea. I chatted to two young guys from Koln and said goodbye to the family of four on two recumbent bikes. The boys were up front reading books as they left. I turned left out of campsite hoping to get on the main road, but the track I was on had no easy access, so I eventually pushed the bike through a ditch to get there. The road was really busy but not a problem for me as I coasted past all the traffic at the lights. Then once over the bridge I turned left and right to find a quieter route but within minutes the rain started. I hid under a tree for a while but decided to go on as it looked to be set in. I got very wet and found refuge in an imbiss (snack stop) called Ali Baba in Seehaus for a coffee under an umbrella, followed by a bar of Milka chocolate to give me the energy to carry on. It was just stopping as I left and found a great road alongside the railway track to Behrend, which was fantastic apart from the holes in the road, but it kept me on my toes to find a good route through and I was rewarded by the sight of a young deer in front of me and then running alongside me as I spooked it. This was followed by an eagle taking flight right in front of me and then a beautiful captive deer in somebody’s garden.
I rejoined the main road but now it had a good cycle path alongside, which was magnificent going through pine forests. I then joined a cycle route but chose to go on the road as the surface was terrible.
The road was good and I stopped off for a late lunch of cheese and bread outside a church with a cycling mural. I then had the choice of 4 or 15 miles to the next campsite and feeling better for some food I chose the marina here. It was a good ride and there were lots of wind turbines to keep me company.
The city itself is quite strange with lots of lovely buildings and lots of cobbled streets but it also seems quite run down in places. I set up my tent and went to Lidl to buy brekkie and beer. Then found a very good Greek restaurant for dinner after hearing how good it was from a barman at the Dark Moon pub. I had souvlaki and laughed with another diner about the noise of the storks.
I’m now sat by the river listening to the party going on next to my campsite in the boathouse. I was told earlier that it’s a private party so I may just visit the Black Moon to see if anyone has arrived. I hope it gets busy later on, as he was a nice guy with a lovely family. It feels like I need a Saturday night out just for a change and there’s no point trying to sleep at my tent just yet.
Camping at marina 5€ No Euro coins so a cold shower but very refreshing.