We start our journey as three, with Elisa meeting us on the way to the station. And then horror of horrors, she runs a red light!!!
I know, shocked I watch as she runs a foot over the line and turns right onto the cycleway.. We point it out but she is adamant she was on the right side of the line, I'm not so sure and point out we might do that sort of thing in the UK, but our police don't have guns, they won't shoot you for that... A puzzled look then the realisation I am teasing her and that taking everything I say on holiday as if gospel is a mistake. Unflustered Elisa presses on as she knows the streets and within minutes we are snaking our way through the streets as quickly as possible.
Once at the station we need to buy tickets for our bikes, this proves more difficult than it should be and it is with just a moment to spare that we charge up the stairs and onto the waiting train.
Once seated, we are whisked through the German countryside. Germany is far more rural than I had imagined. Lots of fields of wheat, rye and barley as well as hops and sunflowers. Then there are the log transporters, I have seen more in these 3 days cycling than in a lifetime in the UK. We are quickly at our destination, where we disembark and pick up the trail.
Soon we are away from the station and in the countryside with the sound of nature and the peace and quiet that's craved by so many. I am jolted from my relaxation when I hear pop music... How?? where?? It turns out that Elisa likes to ride to music and whizzes past me to some UK hit. A request is made for German music, when in Rome and all that. The pace is quick, and we are soon at the first 10K mark.
We stop for water and reapply sun cream, and I explain that we are not in the shade but dappled shade, that there are different kinds of shade, each with its own property, full, partial, dappled. We move on to rain, mizzle, drizzle, patter, sheet, pour, torrential, raining cats and dogs, bucketing down, deluge... I could have continued but there was little point, there were no clouds in the sky.
We press on and circulate, each chatting to each other as we meet different terrains and the lead rotates. Benjamin's knee is certainly better, so we continue at more than 17km/h
At one stop Elisa suggests isotonic tablets and kindly gives me some. A bit sweet but the results seem to be substantial as I finished the day without cramps and feeling much more alive. Very much appreciated Elisa.
On our way, we pass a few villages, and as we arrive at one, we cycle past an ambulance and a few people talking; then, as we round the bend, we see an air ambulance in the newly harvested field. Elisa explains they are even used for cows to transport to the vets. Its certainly rural here and we have been on cycleways and not roads.
A few more breaks under shade as the sun rose, and so does the temperature. Then several long stretches of open fields and no shade, I find myself conscious of the open fields and searching for the next shade to shelter under. It's a morale thing, my spirits lower as the temperature rises and these exposed landscapes unfold I find I am scanning the horizon and reluctant to leave my last shade for exposure to the open skies and the shimmering sun. Then a stretch through woods with the cool breeze and ample shelter, bliss.
This ends with a final stretch that is fast downhill into the urban streets. Not long now, but first to collect Benjamin's parcel, waiting in the local DHL parcel dropoff.
We then find out that opening one of those automated boxes is not so simple, he can collect but has no 16 digit number, only a 17 digit. I see shade, more than dappled but certainly not dark, and a nice comfy block stone floor and decide to snooze. Before long, I am away with the fairies, and in my dreams, the fairies are talking German and are clearly not happy about something. I wake to ear that both have been on the phone to sort it, and it turns out that they have not sent it to the storage unit as promised but to a human-run operation.
We leave there with the parcel in hand and in search of our hotel room which is nearby.
That evening we leave for a medieval walled city and a very delicious meal of what looks like macaroni but is in fact, Spaetzle a local delicacy, very tasty. Thank you Elisa for a lovely meal.
As we finish the first spots of rain hit. Bliss, that joy. We make our way back and as we get to our bedrooms the winds grow to a hot gale and then the sheet lightning. Stunning and so refreshing. The smell of fresh rain and cooler weather is on its way.
What a great way to end the day, thank you, Benjamin and Elisa, for a memorable day with friends.
