Tuesday, 18 July 2017

Day 17

A brilliant day riding cross country today. Stopping off to walk around Gluckstadt, a 400 year old former capital of the Holstein lands on the banks of the lower Elbe, we took in the harbour, along which many original buildings still stand. Then a short way down stream, took the ferry across the mighty river.

The ride on the other side was just as good, with the sun now blazing. Marred only by a slight detour, due a) to me missing a turnoff (it's not easy without the voice directions, now cardo has packed up) and b) the road just after being closed for roadworks. Still, we were soon back on track.

The final part of the journey was almost dead straight for well over 30 miles I reckon, as we ran parallel with the Kusten Kanal. It was great for overtaking the slower traffic and also watching the antics of the German car drivers. Mind you, we had to be wary as they sometimes came towards us on our side of the road. I had to dab the brakes once for one such clown.

Papenburg where we are staying is a former ship building town and there are quite a few references around the hotel, which sits by a canal. The surroundings though all look pretty modern, so I'm wondering if shipyards, etc were reclaimed.

A walk took us up to a huge windmill, our second of the day and into Jameson's Pub. Trying to be Irish, it failed, mainly because of the English red telephone box inside.  We grabbed a couple of beers and sat outside overlooking a park and lake, before finding our way to McDs for our tea. The only other eatery we saw open was Turkish and we didn't fancy that after Greek last night.

On our travels, we spotted an Aston Martin, with UK plates on it. Not a model I recognised, a Z(?) with a rear light cluster I'd never seen before either. Stranger still, it was left hand drive. Blow me though, if when we got back to the hotel, there wasn't a Vanquish, again with UK plates and again with left hand drive. If anyone can enlighten me, feel free.

We popped into the bar for another beer and sat watching this strangely dressed, i.e. in green shirt, trousers, jacket and socks (not all the same shade though) man, with 3 young women. Reminded us of a guy we saw in Athlone back in 2012, a peacock (more cock actually) surrounded by 3 young women.

Tomorrow we are making our way to Amsterdam. Hopefully the weather will be fine, though I suspect we may run into a rain storm. Fingers crossed.

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