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.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
10th June
We woke to a fine but windy morning. Packed our tents as light rain began to fall. After breakfast we set off back through the city of Ystad towards Trelleborg. Most of the way was on a cycle path. There was a very strong headwind which was a little unpleasant, and made it slow going. It was a distance of just over 50 is to the port city.
On arrival we had lunch at a cafe near the port - which is just beside the main shopping area. Then we cycled a few blocks to a Viking Museum. Here we saw a Viking house all set up as a working place, with a fire burning in the centre if the building.
From there we went to the gardens, where hens and roosters, peacocks and other birds roamed freely.
We sauntered through town, and had a coffee at a local cafe. All the other riders were around there also. We sat on the terrace and the wait staff came and turned on the has heater, which made it too hot.
Down to the truck which was parked on the wharf to change into street clothes before going for dinner at another local cafe.
From there we went to the St Nickoli Church, where there was a (free) piano concert. Excellent performance from three different pianists. It went from 7-8, so now we are filling in time until we get to board the overnight ferry for Germany at 10pm. Currently siting in the McDonalds opposite the ferry terminal to use the wifi!
Still very light outside as it doesn't get dark till 10.30, and light again by 3.45 am. This will change as we head further South.
On arrival we had lunch at a cafe near the port - which is just beside the main shopping area. Then we cycled a few blocks to a Viking Museum. Here we saw a Viking house all set up as a working place, with a fire burning in the centre if the building.
From there we went to the gardens, where hens and roosters, peacocks and other birds roamed freely.
We sauntered through town, and had a coffee at a local cafe. All the other riders were around there also. We sat on the terrace and the wait staff came and turned on the has heater, which made it too hot.
Down to the truck which was parked on the wharf to change into street clothes before going for dinner at another local cafe.
From there we went to the St Nickoli Church, where there was a (free) piano concert. Excellent performance from three different pianists. It went from 7-8, so now we are filling in time until we get to board the overnight ferry for Germany at 10pm. Currently siting in the McDonalds opposite the ferry terminal to use the wifi!
Still very light outside as it doesn't get dark till 10.30, and light again by 3.45 am. This will change as we head further South.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, 9th July
A quiet day in Ystad. Everyone got up about 7.30 and had breakfast, and then sat around talking for a couple of hours. Most of us then walked into the town, since the camp site is 2 kilometers out of town.
The town of Ystad is about 20,000 people. It's on the coast so there is quite a strong sea breeze at times with a cool temp. The centre of the town is touristy with lots of cafes. The town is best known for its half timbered houses, some of which date from the 16th century. There are plenty of streets with cobbles, and no cars in the central town which makes for pleasant wandering about.
We walked back to camp about 2 pm along the beach front, but it isn't really that nice since the kelp on the beach is rotting and the odour is quite strong. Plenty of little bathing sheds right on the beach front which the locals own.
The afternoon was spent relaxing at camp. Dinner was baked potatoes cooked on the charcoal BBQ with baked fish and coleslaw, followed by fresh strawberries and wine supplied by some random Swedish couple who liked the idea of people riding across Europe and turned up with a cask of white wine.
The camp is full of mostly Swedish people who are having a holiday in their large caravans with awnings, beautifully furnished, packed in side-by-side at the campground.
A cool day, often the threat of rain which fortunately did not eventuate.
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The town of Ystad is about 20,000 people. It's on the coast so there is quite a strong sea breeze at times with a cool temp. The centre of the town is touristy with lots of cafes. The town is best known for its half timbered houses, some of which date from the 16th century. There are plenty of streets with cobbles, and no cars in the central town which makes for pleasant wandering about.
We walked back to camp about 2 pm along the beach front, but it isn't really that nice since the kelp on the beach is rotting and the odour is quite strong. Plenty of little bathing sheds right on the beach front which the locals own.
The afternoon was spent relaxing at camp. Dinner was baked potatoes cooked on the charcoal BBQ with baked fish and coleslaw, followed by fresh strawberries and wine supplied by some random Swedish couple who liked the idea of people riding across Europe and turned up with a cask of white wine.
The camp is full of mostly Swedish people who are having a holiday in their large caravans with awnings, beautifully furnished, packed in side-by-side at the campground.
A cool day, often the threat of rain which fortunately did not eventuate.
--
Monday, July 9, 2012
Our truck and cook crew
Sunday, 8th July - Travel into Sweden
After breakfast we all brought our bags down into the hotel carpark, from where they were conveyed along the road to where the truck was parked on a local square. Once it was loaded we were ready to go! A quick group photo then we left the hotel and travelled the 500m to the Copenhagen Railway Station. Tickets for 1 person and 1 bike to Malmo were purchased, and we assembled on platform 5 for the train. We were all able to fit into the train at once - they go every 20 minutes - there is a special bike carriage which held most of the bikes, the rest were squashed in the entrance way of the carriage which meant that every stop they had to be shuffled to allow for other travelers to get on and off the train.
It was a 35 minute trip to Malmo, crossing the Oresund (between the Baltic and North Seas) on a new bridge which is the longest free-standing bridge in the world.
So we arrived in Sweden at Malmo Railway Station. After disembarking we cycled through to the centre of Malmo, then headed for Ystad. The route was mainly on cycle ways, once out of Malmo we were cycling alongside Route 101 through wheat fields and past other crops. The only livestock we saw were a couple of horses and a few sheep. It was a very pleasant ride, relatively rolling, and lovely and warm, through many little towns. The lunch stop was at a little town, where we purchased rolls and ham and cheese and some fruit.
As we neared the coast the fog was rolling in, so the last we kilometers to Ystad were in the mist, therefore we did not get a clear view of the sea. Many people had been to the beach for the day, and were leaving.
The camp is just past Ystad, and when we arrived the truck was there. We set up our tents and showered. The cooks started their dinner preparation while the campers wrote up the day's reports. Today we rode a modest 70km. We have 2 days here. The campsite is beside a busy road (we have ear plugs) but dinner is now cooking and we have all showered and washed our cycling clothes. Tents are all up and washing lines strung to dry our clothes.
It was a 35 minute trip to Malmo, crossing the Oresund (between the Baltic and North Seas) on a new bridge which is the longest free-standing bridge in the world.
So we arrived in Sweden at Malmo Railway Station. After disembarking we cycled through to the centre of Malmo, then headed for Ystad. The route was mainly on cycle ways, once out of Malmo we were cycling alongside Route 101 through wheat fields and past other crops. The only livestock we saw were a couple of horses and a few sheep. It was a very pleasant ride, relatively rolling, and lovely and warm, through many little towns. The lunch stop was at a little town, where we purchased rolls and ham and cheese and some fruit.
As we neared the coast the fog was rolling in, so the last we kilometers to Ystad were in the mist, therefore we did not get a clear view of the sea. Many people had been to the beach for the day, and were leaving.
The camp is just past Ystad, and when we arrived the truck was there. We set up our tents and showered. The cooks started their dinner preparation while the campers wrote up the day's reports. Today we rode a modest 70km. We have 2 days here. The campsite is beside a busy road (we have ear plugs) but dinner is now cooking and we have all showered and washed our cycling clothes. Tents are all up and washing lines strung to dry our clothes.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Saturday 7th July
We all assembled around 9.30 for a briefing, which included updates on accommodation, the handing out of our special tour jerseys and some rules and guidelines for riding. Then we all prepared our bikes and left for a tour of Copenhagen. There were 16 of us, as even the cooks came along for the ride! Unfortunately the rain continued off and on for the duration of our sightseeing.
John led us out from the hotel and across the street, then we were on bike paths for most of the ride. It was a 19km jaunt through the city, firstly past the Zoo and up a slight incline (Who said it was a mountain?) then through an area of desirable housing. We meandered round streets until we arrived at the Little Mermaid. From there we negotiated our way past the present Queen's palace to arrive at the bridge to Christiania. Once over the bridge we slowly meandered through a number of streets looking at the alternative lifestylers' residences.
Returned back to the hotel for before heading out to a late lunch. Tomorrow is D(eparture) Day, so the time has come to finish long term preparations.
We went for dinner with Stewart and Nelson to the Chinese Restaurant beside the Hotel.
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John & Liz Pfahlert
P O Box 9740
Marion Square
Wellington 6141
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