11th & 12th July

The absence of wifi means that this update covers two days. The ferry crossing was very calm, so calm you could hardly tell the ferry was moving. We didn't board till 10.30 at night. We shared 4 berth cabins which were very comfortable. Arrival time was 6.30am in Rostok, where we went straight into town for breakfast. Just before we arrived it poured with rain.

We ate at a great diners called Alex where a cooked breakfast was about $13. Then on out of town toward Krakow am See, a distance of about 90km. For those following us the route was through Polchow, Schwann, Butzow & Gustrow to the campsite. The countryside was predominantly wheat fields and other crops. The route was through rolling countryside about half of which was on dedicated cycle ways.

No rain while riding but a brief shower while we were waiting for dinner. This morning we departed about 8.30am for a 50k ride to Waren, via Linstow (morning coffee at a beautifully restored country villa), Loppin and Jabel. The route was among beautiful forest country on dedicated cycle ways. The surface was quite variable with gravel, seal and cobblestones.

The whole area is a lake district with lovely tree lined roads and quaint villages. No rain today while riding, but it hosed down shortly after arriving at camp. Waren is a beautiful village with a cobblestone road through the main street.

The campsite here at Waren is a large grassed area overlooking Lake Muritz. Dinners and breakfasts are supplied by Des and Mick, both of whom are excellent cooks and go out of their way to provide top notch food. Italian wine is €3 a bottle.

We met a German couple on a tandem at Loppin who were amazed that we were heading to Barcelona. Stuart, one of our number, speaks German and was able to describe what we were all up to.

Today was washing day so John hand-washed our clothes and we are hoping they will dry overnight. Stuart has advised us not to leave our shoes outside the tent tonight since raccoons will steal them!

The group is made up of some really experienced riders, two of whom have ridden around the world, and several others who have been on multiple cross-continental rides. We must have been near a military base today because we heard jets at several times today.

One of our number is Ralph who I see has just emerged from the Lake having been swimming. He is an ex Air Force colonel who has been to most places (on a bike) on the planet and is very knowledgeable on a wide variety of topics.