Wesenberg to Copenhagen

And I thought yesterday was character building. Sigh L

When we woke up it was still raining, pouring down, not to mention windy L On top of that it seems Tony didn’t have a very good night, there was something about persistent thunder throughout the night…? He tried sleeping in the bathroom for a couple of hours until things quietened down. Must have been the rain J

We woke at 7 and did some packing. We’ve decided to catch a train to Rostok and avoid the rain and flooding. The trains not until 9:30, assuming it’s running, so we had a lazy morning which was nice. I’m getting an unexpected rest day which I think I need.

Ha Ha Ha. I wrote the previous sentence in the morning before we set off. Little did I know.

We packed at leisure, I had a cup of tea and then we rode up the main street to a Backerei and had a quick breakfast of a slice and drink. I bought another slice and roll for the train and then in the pouring rain we rode down to the station. The train was spot on time and we lugged the bikes up until the single carriage and paid for the ride to the nearest main station. Quite a pleasant little ride..

At Neustrelitz I quickly went and bought our tickets to Rostok and then we had a short, cold wait before walking our bikes onto the train. We had a nice rest on the train; we were able to watch the bikes from our seats. The train fairly rocketed along at times. It looked to be raining most of the way.

Some silly bugger, it may have been me, decided it would be a good idea to catch the ferry to Denmark since we were already wet. Tony was fine with that so once at Rostok we went out into the pouring, gusty, rain and (after going 1/2 a K in the wrong direction) set off for the port, about 12 Ks away.

The rain was probably worst when we left but never stopped. As we were riding we were fortunately quite warm and the route is reasonably well sign posted. So of course after about 12 Ks we arrived back at an intersection we’d already been too L Rather than trying to follow the signs again we used Tony’s GPS to get us to the port. This time successfully. Naturally it rained the entire way and then just as we were coming into the port my right rear pannier popped off on of its hooks (it’s done it a few times) so I pulled over to the side to put it back on and hit a rut in the road and went down. Bang. Bugger L

Fortunately I was hardly moving and the panniers stop the bike hitting you. Feeling more embarrassed than injured back on the bike and up to the terminal. I went in while Tony looked after the bikes and bought the ferry tickets; quite reasonable at Euro 38 including the bikes. We have 90 odd minutes so we went to the cafeteria and had a huge schnitzel meal with potatoes, a roll and a slice. Lovely and warm J, both the food and the café.

We rode, in the pouring rain and howl wind, to the entry gate and then through to the lane where we had to wait. There were buses queued here which at least kept us out of the wind. The ferry was just coming in so we had a bit of a wait. The staff called us over and had us wait behind a shipping container (out of the wind) which was nice.

The ferry unloaded surprisingly quickly and we were the first ones in, thankfully. We tied the bikes up (bungee cords) and went up to one of the internal decks. We grabbed a comfy pair of chairs and didn’t move for the entire trip. We were both cold and put on an extra layer for the trip over. It was sometime around now that I recalled that I’d planned to not eat lunch in case the seas were rough. oh…

Fortunately the trip was very calm. The seas looked a bit rough but on the ferry it was very relaxing. I dozed off and on and then we were already there (about 1h40). So we were back down into the hold and it was Cold! But it was only spitting lightly, so that at least was an improvement.

Denmark!

Of course all we needed was one thing to make it perfect. And of course there was nowhere to stay L So off we went heading north. We stopped several times at B&Bs and asked if they had a room but none of them did L We even checked out a camping ground that was 1K off the route; but it was a muddy swamp. In the end we decided to ride on to the next major town.

That could have been the end of the misery but, alas, there was more. We were making good time when I heard a very depressing sound coming from my rear tire. A puncture L I pulled over and popped a new tube in after pulling out a piece of rock shaped like a stone age flint. Fortunately (?) it didn’t start bucketing down until after I’d finished fixing the tire (and getting the chain back on after it dropped down below the 3rd chain ring). Sigh.

Still, with not too far to go we set off, the rain died down, the clothes started to dry out and finally we got to Nykobing Falster. It’s a lovely looking town, cobbled streets (we’re getting a bit sick of cobbled streets), historic buildings and not a hotel to be found L  We spent quite a while looking asked some people, the best suggestion was a place 10 minutes out of town.

What to do?

Well, again, we decided stuff it, let’s go to Copenhagen. So 40 minutes later we’d had a snack and we were on another train. 1h50 this time. It was pleasant enough on the train but of course we had no idea where we were going to stay once we go there. It rained most of the way there! (Should I be happy about that?)

We arrived at Copenhagen at just before 10pm, as we went out I was freezing again (all of our clothes are wet). We’d thought we’d use WiFi to try and book something, which we had a crack at. Unfortunately I couldn’t get a connection and a lot of the places were shutting. In the end we went outside and started trying hotels next to the station.

So now we’re at the Raddison Blu Royal!

Tony hasn’t told me what it costs yet…

It was such a relief to finally arrive in a warm dry room, with WiFi that worked, have a shower, and get all of our gear out so that it could dry.

I showered, rang home and went to bed. Something like midnight. Phew.

Liebenwalde to Wesenberg

What a day, character building would describe it I think…

The day started pleasantly with a cool overcast morning and a touch of mist. We overslept slightly and ended up departing at 8:15. I paid and discovered that there was WiFi so I uploaded yesterday’s ride. The route continued following the canals (I think they are artificial and not rivers) and it was dead flat with very few turns. We made good time to breakfast around 9 am.

This morning we had a true cycle touring breakfast from a Backeri and a market. I had a couple of fresh bread rolls with a slice of ham and then an entire punnet of raspberries. Delicious!

Then it was time to get back to it. The route eventually left the side of the canal and we went through some small forests and I preferred this section, it became more rolling and had more towns along the way.

We stopped in a small town where Tony had a look at an interesting church and I had a slice I bought earlier (it had marzipan in it). It was beginning to look a bit dubious so we set of after only 3 or 4 minutes and then after only another 4 or so Ks we stopped at a small coffee shop as Tony wanted a coffee. It was also just starting to spit.

Just after we got there a large school group walked in and all had ice creams. They seemed totally unprepared for the torrential rain that then began. They took out warm tops and covers for their day packs but none of them had any rain coats!

Once the rain had died down we put our jackets on and set off. We had ummed and ahhed about the jackets but it started to rain softly almost immediately. We made it another 5 or so Ks and came to another café and decided it was a good time for lunch. A lighter lunch for Tony than yesterday’s humungous schnitzel! I had a quiche and a hot choccy which was easily half a litre. Sehr Gut! We sat for a while but in the end had to continue on L

The town itself was quite large and I was sorely tempted, but we’d only done 48 Ks and even I thought we should go on. Hmmm, I guess that was the right idea. Tony joked (?) that it was only 30 Ks to Wesenberg. HO Ho ho…

Once we were out of town it started bucketing down L There was nothing for it but to slog on of course, no turning around. We saw lots of other bedraggled cyclists coming the other way as well. Fortunately the road got a bit lumpier now; while the hills were a bit of a slog (I was sure I had a puncture on one) the actual riding was getting more interesting. We rode through a number of winding pine forests and there were quite a few reasonable descents for a bit of a free wheel. Even better there were some gravel/dirt sections through a couple of forests. Actually pretty nice riding.

Eventually the rain died down and the final 10 Ks or so was mostly dry. That final bit was into Wesenberg, sigh. I actually thought that in the last hour I felt better than the previous hour, but of course by then I knew, KNEW, we were almost done.

Once in town I made a bee line for the Tourist Info. He was ‘oh dear’ we are very full L Initially he suggested a place 6 Ks away (albeit on the route, for €96) but then he rang another place which was only €40. WooHoo! And then he got up, gave me the pamphlet and said it’s the white house (next door). WooHoo WooHoo.

The nice lady showed us the room and then we got down to carting everything up to the top floor and showering. Once done we went downstairs for a tea and coffee and then walked into town. We made it about 200 m and then it started pouring! We went inside the pub we were standing in and Tony shouted me a large Coke and he had two small beers.

Eventually we decided we should try and see the town so we bought a small umbrella each and did a lap of the town centre. There were two other pubs and a kebab place. It started to really bucket down so in a slight pause we rushed back to the room. We’ve decided to go to the nearer pub, they seemed pleasant enough.

Back at the room I used a towel to dry (less wetten J) my pants and then we sat downstairs while I did this diary. Then around 6:45 off to the pub for dinner!

Quite a nice meal tonight. I had a mushroom soup which came with 4 pieces of baguette (I could probably have eaten half a baguette J) and then veal with vegetables and chips. The veal was smothered in a cheese sauce with chunks of pork. Nice, albeit a bit odd with the pork chunks and all…

Back at the room I finished reading what I could of my New Scientist and thumbed through most of the Tour guide and then chucked out everything except the teams and stages. Hopefully those bits can dry out well enough to be readable? Sleep at 10pm.

Spandau to Berlin to Liebenwalde

Longest day of the tour… I hope!

I woke just before 7, updated the diary then dressed and finished off the packing. Just before 8 checked on Tony and then started loading up the bikes. Pretty quickly we were ready and then we headed back the way we’d come into Berlin.

Tony had picked a route into town on his GPS and it went through some quite back roads, over a hill, and then joined this massive 10 lane road through Germany. I was surprised at the continuous stream of cyclists in Berlin, apparently they are doing all the right things. I noticed a pretty good looking model train shop, closed L And a pretty good looking Wine shop, closed L

There was a monument we came to and we both wondered if it was the Brandenburg gate but it didn’t go all the way across the road and wasn’t very impressive. We continued on, past another monument. And then we came to the Gate. We got some photos, I went over to the Info office for a city, closed L So we road back up this enormous boulevard and stopped at the Russian Memorial and then the Reichstag.

We then headed out of town getting onto the start of the route and we stopped at a small store and had a snack, as we hadn’t had breakfast. Feeling much better off we went. The route is reasonably clearly marked but getting fully out of Berlin would have taken quite a while if we hadn’t had Tony’s GPS. The only thing I notice is that Tony spends ages with the thing.

The route is very scenic once you get a bit further out (although we could have been close to a town for all we knew). We went down little lanes, over canals, there were swans, bridges, nice gardens, picturesque houses, all very nice. We eventually stopped for lunch at a former town hall. I had a burger and Tony had a huge slab of schnitzel, how on earth will he ride with that? Lubricated by 2 half litre beers of course J After we’d paid they brought out little berry and cream tasting glasses. Tony didn’t want his. Delicious!

Then it was back on the bike, up a steep hill to start with which was a bit of a slog. I was really starting to flag but thought we should get 70Ks in (which would be 82 considering the ride into Berlin). Eventually, eventually, we reached a hotel. It is a spa hotel with a pool, massages etc. It’s really looks rather run down from the outside but the location is very peaceful. I imagine it was quite pish in East Germany in the 50’s/60’s. And there was no way I was riding any further!

They only had one room, with a double bed, but two mattresses, so Tony said he’d sleep on the mattress on the floor. We put our bikes in the bike barn, dropped everything in the room, showered and then went to an outdoor area and Tony had a beer while I had a 750 ml sparkling mineral water. We sat for a couple of hours then went inside for dinner.

The restaurant area is modest although it does have nice linen table clothes. They offer a buffet or a la carte. I checked out the buffet. Nope. I had a nice penne with pork(?!) and mushrooms and Tony had 3 medallions pork. I was soooo hungry I forgot to photograph dinner! Oh, and yes I had a G&T.

After dinner we sat outside while Tony finished his third beer and I uploaded all of the photos on to the laptop and did today’s diary. Then back to the room for some TV and reading before bed. Out like a light at 10’ish.

Amsterdam to Berlin to Spandau

A much more relaxing day today, and my legs need it after the 20 odd Kms I walked yesterday!

I had a pleasant morning with another repack; I wrote down on a piece of paper where I’d put all the major bits to see if that would be helpful. Normally I wouldn’t really need that but it’s been so long since I last went touring…

After that I lolled, read and watched some TV. They have a TV series here like Escape to the Country, but it is where they are looking for somewhere for vacation. Funnily enough the episode I saw was where a Dutch couple wanted a characterful house in England!

Just as I checked out Tony SMSd that he was already here! So I finalised everything rode to the station, only about 4K’s. There was this annoying older guy I passed who was smoking a cigar (yuck L), I’d pass him then he’d sail through the next red light and he’d be in front of us again; I did eventually drop him. The only hard part of the ride in was in the square where the palace was I needed to turn left; in the end I did a U-turn after the lights and then straight down to the station. All in all surprisingly easy. Tony was waiting out the front, we chatted for a bit and then headed back the way I’d come to look for somewhere to eat. I had suggested grabbing some stuff and eating in Vondelpark but there was a reasonable looking brasserie along the way where we could lean the bikes so we stopped there. One of the nice things about Amsterdam is that you can sit outside on the main street and not be bothered by traffic noise, as there’s hardly any.

After lunch we rode back to the station and sat to wait until it was closer to the departure time. We both went and got ourselves a drink and nice piece of chocolate. I ate mine straight away J After getting to the platform and working out where the bike carriage would be I popped back down stairs to a vending machine. I wanted a croquet, but alas they didn’t have any. Shocking!

The train arrived about 10 minutes early so there was plenty of time to get the bikes in and set up. We both used ceiling hooks so we could just leave the panniers on the bikes! The bike area was huge and could easily take 20 bikes, and as it turned out did. A surprising number of people got on and off with their bikes en route as well. A rather good system really.

We settled in for the rather long (6 ½ hour) ride to Berlin. There was a British couple behind us who Tony talked to for quite a bit, they were cycling a different route to us, but also heading north. When the ticker collectors came I realised that being the last carriage it is also the sob story carriage. Oh I didn’t realise I couldn’t take a different train, oh I thought I could use my XXX student card, oh no I don’t have any money I just need to get home to my mummy in Poland. The last one the Dutch gave a free ticket to the German border, the German’s kicked him off the train!

Tony had a couple of beers during the trip and I had warm baguette with Coke which was pretty good for a train. We arrived in Berlin on time (naturlich) at 9:30, went down 4 levels to the train back to Spandau only to discover it was an ICE which doesn’t take bikes. So we went back up 4 levels to buy tickets on the next RE train and then back down 4 levels to catch the train. Phew!

Uneventful from there to Spandau, lights on, ride to hotel, Tony checked us in, bikes down stairs and then upstairs to the rooms. The room is quite spacious, a bit old but perfectly serviceable. I had a shower, lay down and at 11:15 was out like a light! 

Full day in Amsterdam

I slept quite well last night! I woke a couple of times but managed to loll until about 7 am. I then showered, did some re-arranging and then wrote this diary and copied the photos from my phone. Finishing around 10 am I set off!

The weather was cool but sunny which turned out to be perfect for the long day of walking that was ahead. I’d decided in Sydney that I’d go to the Rijks Museum first so I headed off to there. I took a slightly different route to yesterday for a change of scenery. I was looking the whole way there for somewhere nice to have a snack but there wasn’t anything that appealing. Just before the museum there is an area on Nieuw Soiegelstraat which is the ‘Art and Antiques’ district. There were some nice, and expensive, shops but nothing that appealed on the food front.

In the end I went into the museum and ate there. I had bread with cheese (one large piece of bread with 4 or 5 slices of Beemster cheese) and a plum paste. Rather nice, especially with the hot chocolate. Naturally I had to follow that up with a traditional apple pie or apple cake as they call it. Delicious.

I then spent 2.5 hours wandering through the museum. I’d wanted to go ever since the renovations finished, but of course it is so long ago that I last went I can’t recall much to make any sort of comparison with the old one. I saw lots of famous paintings, including of course ‘The Night Watch’. One of the things that stood out was how bright the colours are! In the section from the late 19th century I was struck by the similarities with the oil painting I have at home, I guess they were the inspiration for it. One funny thing, I also noticed one Asian lady who seemed to be going around taking photos of all of the dogs in the paintings, but not the paintings themselves! There was one interesting modern, mechanical, art, I took a short video, it reminded me of Jelly Fish which was probably the aim I guess.

This photo is for Paul :)

After the museum I walked past the Concert Geboux and then went down Frans van Meirsstraat and took a photo of the house dad lived in during the war. 

From there it was a short walk to the Albert Cuyps Market which I walked the full length of. As I was taking a photo of the sign, which said use their free WiFi, I noticed a Poffertjes place so I got 10 with butter, icing sugar and stroop. Very nice. I think you need the Stroop.

Feeling fortified I wandered back to the Leidseplein to look for the Indonesian restaurant that I normally go to. After at first thinking it was gone I found it (different coloured sign?) and checked the opening hours. 5pm. So I set off down through the mall and ended up walking all the way to the station and back.

I was feeling a bit buggered, not to mention hungry, by the time I got to the restaurant, the Puri Mas. I got the 2^nd dearest Rijstafel. I would have gotten the dearest but was worried about the quantity.

Gosh how on earth will I finish all of that? 

No problem it seems :)

After the meal I walked straight back to the hotel, via a different route. Sore feet and tired, so I had a shower then channel surfed for a bit before doing this diary while my phone recharged and then bed around 10 (although I think I slept through some of the TV I was ‘watching’).

In Amsterdam

The plane had a front view camera, from underneath, which gave an interesting view when we landed. Once down it was a quick walk through to customs, a bit of a wait, and then I got changed (why didn’t I do that on the plane?) and collected my bags. While I waited for the bike I started repacking my bags for the ride. Once the box turned up I started the (sweaty) work of putting it all back together.

All in all it took about an hour to be happy with it all. I left the box (which was torn in places) and went out to the airport. I used the free Wi-Fi to check the map and then put some water in my bottles from a fountain. I went outside and immediately decided I needed to put my thermal top on, it was chilly!

Ah, finally, out on the bike! A very pleasant meander from the airport, immediately through into the country side and quit country lanes. I meandered through the burbs of Amsterdam and Vondelpark and then almost directly to the hotel. Around 17K’s I think.

The hotel is quite new and looks quite nice. I was way too early to check in so I left my bike and gear, got changed, paid for my room and then headed into Amsterdam. A pleasant enough walk; only a couple of kms to (a former co-worker} Andrew’s place, so I walked a bit further before heading back.

The live in 5 story house of which they have the top 2, with a great view. It is very peaceful up there and very hairy! 3 cats J We went out straight away for lunch to a pleasant Italian restaurant and (I forgot to photograph it) I had a meatballs penne. We also had cheesy cauliflower and tomato eggplant and all washed down with Chianti. Nice! We had a good chat, Andrew wanted to hear about Optiver Sydney and I wanted to hear about living in Amsterdam. Afterwards we picked up a dessert each and then went back to their place for tea.

I left about 4 pm and wandered home where I did some unpacking and charging while watching TV and reading. I also did most of my washing after a very relaxing shower. I struggled at times to stay awake and eventually conceded defeat around 9 pm.

Off to Europe I go!

An early morning start today, 6am. I had to finish packing and taping up the box, cuddle the dogs, get a cab, drag the bike box down to the street and then wrestle the box into the cab.  The trip to the airport was quick and then a bit of fluffing around with the check in. I wanted to get the two big panniers wrapped in plastic but they don’t do that at the domestic terminal (yes I have to go via Melbourne) so in the end I got two (free) Qantas plastic bags, which worked a treat. The check in itself which was easy enough; although it’s been so long since I last travelled with the bike I forgot to the have bike on its end and couldn’t get into the check in area initially J

After that I went through to the lounge and then had a light breakfast of a scrambled egg on toast with a mini sausage and some baked beans. Then the newspapers and puzzles and call home before boarding, on time!

The flight to Melbourne was pleasant enough, there was a nice omelette with hot bread and a Danish and all washed down with an Austrian Grant Burge sparkling. I was actually feeling a bit sloshed!

I didn’t have a very long wait at the airport, so after a slow walk to the lounge I read the AFR and in no time we were boarding. The plane is an Airbus A350, a new addition to the Cathay fleet, so Business Class is a 1-2-1 configuration. I was in the middle and in the rear cabin where there are only two rows, so nice and quiet. It’s a fully flat bed and there is a really handy storage area.

I watched ‘Assassin’s Creed’ and then the latest X-Men, Logan. Both were ‘ok’. Dinner started with a G&T and some nuts, then a salad, garlic bread and a Foie Gras Terrine with a pleasant glass of Austrian white (Veltliner?).  Next was duck with a light French red, a Gamay which was a nice but a bit young. Then we had a cheese plate with a Portuguese port, followed by some fruit and then chocolate ice cream.

I was feeling a bit tired so I had a doze for a couple of hours. As we were getting close to Hong Kong we had a light second dinner of fruit then a mushroom and prawn penne. I didn’t feel up to any more wine, so a coke, and then there was a nice chocolate mousse.

When we arrived in HK I was feeling quite tired but didn’t want to fall asleep (or eat) so I went for a bit of a walk before going to the lounge. The lounge has a very nice spread of food but I decided to have a shower! Very nice, I felt a lot better after that. Unfortunately while I was in the shower they announced that the departure time had been delayed 1h20 due to a delay at the other end L

I read for quite a while and then went for a very long walk around the airport, it is huge. A lot of stores are shut now (after midnight) but I found a good wine shop which had some interesting French reds. I might be tempted by a 1993 Bordeaux for $100 on the way back if it is still there.

Back in the lounge I read while trying to stay awake until we finally got to board. I was so tired I had a fruit juice instead of Champagne (shock horror). But there was worse to come; I chose the light meal rather than the full three course meal because I just wanted to go to sleep! The light meal was a salad and smoked Halibut with asparagus and potato and garlic bread. The Halibut was very strongly flavoured so not the best choice. After the meal, finally, off to sleep. 6 glorious hours!

I woke up about 3 hours to go so I watched a couple of episodes of ‘Mars’, sadly a Discovery Channel docudrama; dumbest astronauts ever (or maybe second dumbest after the movie ‘Life’). Sigh. Breakfast was fruit, muesli and an omelette with potato’s, a sausage and bacon. Good enough.