Justgiving

A big thanks to those who have already donated, but can I give a reminder to anyone who is thinking of making a donation, however small, to remember that the UK Government will add pound for pound any donation made, but only until 3rd May.
So just think, you've got out of buying me a pint for my 65th - put the £3 into a donation. It's very easy, just click on the Just Giving link on this Blog

Celle to Wolfsburg, Wolfsburg to Haldensleben

After many attempts by Youth Hostel staff and by me on Internet to book youth hostel in Wolfsburg, gave up and decided to press on regardless. Lovely trip through lanes, and many spring flowers appearing on the roadside.   Approach to Wolfsburg is alongside big canal. The size of some of the vessels using these canals is staggering. Anyway, I arrived Wolfsburg youth hostel, and guess what?
Hostel closed! So booked into The Global Inn which is nearly next door, but 3 times the price of Youth Hostels: made me choke a bit, but very, very comfortable. 46 miles.

Great ride to Haldensleben through wooded lanes, full of wood anemones. Arrived Haldensleben Youth Hostel to very cheerful staff, especially Marcus, Michelle and Birgit, whose photo I took - but still haven't found out how to load onto blog!  I haven't given up yet, so keep looking! Only 35 miles today - Global Inn lulled me into a lazy mood.

Mardorf to Celle

From 'T' shirt weather 2 days ago, it's back to winter. Very cold northerly wind and drizzle. Very thankful I decided to book hostel only 35 - 40 miles away. Also very thankful to find cheery roadside cafe which served me good hot coffee and a plateful of Bratwurst and chips.
Arrived youth hostel mid afternoon.
Half an hours walk into Celle town centre to see what festivities goes on here on a Saturday night!

Holland and into Germany

Good cycle through Holland. First night at recently refurbished Youth Hostel in Soest. Really lovely - better than most hotels. Second night at Arnhem. Both days I made 60-65 miles.
I left Arnhem, which had quite a bit of historical evidence of Second World War battle, and decided to take route through lanes, only to come face to face with a tributary of the Rhine. However there's a ferry the other side of the river (big enough for 6 cars). When Kapitan saw me, he reved up the engines crossed the river, loaded me up and took me across. Cost for me and cycle - €1!  By this time it was mid morning and pouring with rain. So hot coffee was definitely on the agenda. About 10 minutes later rode into lovely little village and had the best cup of coffee in one of the poshest hotels - Would be good to go back there when I am more suitably attired.
Friday 26th April. I am now in Germany, making pretty good progress. Although I am having a "day off" to wash 'smalls'. Very good Youth Hostel right by Steinhuder Meer - ver big lake. Lots of school kids running around making a lot of noise, but enjoying themselves. Had a good chat with the teachers, one who came from Peuto Rica in the States.

Syrian Crisis Apeal

A very big thank you to Jonathan and Francine for the first generous donation to the above Apeal.
Any other donations would be very welcome - these people are in a desperate situation.  It's very easy, just log onto the Just Giving link on the 'Blog' website.

Day 4 Harwich and Day 5 The Hague

66 miles from Cambridge to Harwich. Quite extraordinary day, very strong southerly wind, which nearly blew me off my bike a few times, and then when it was dead behind me, blew me along at 20 mph! Arrived Harwich and with time to spare, found Morrisons next to ferry port and ate 2 'Golden' chocolate biscuits, one banana and a large plate of fish and chips! Wonderful diet.
Very good ferry and lovely cabin, all to myself  (Sweetheart would have loved it).  Had a beer on board with George who had just given up his job looking after Simon Hughes' affairs in Parliament, and was cycling, firstly to Amsterdam and then to the Beaujolais area of France.
Arrived The Hague around mid day, so I've got a day and a half before setting of again.

Day 3 Milton Keynes to Cambridge

Another good day - about 54 miles. Problem is! - I've found a pub to rival 'The Nags Head' - good food, and company and great beer, and it's only 200 yards from the Youth Hostel.  Probably the last good pint I'll have for months, so I have allowed myself 3!

Days 1 and 2

Pretty good first day to Stow on the Wold, and very good to meet old friends Bruce and Marj, and share a couple beers and a very good plate of liver and bacon at the Queens Head.  Got back to the Youth Hostel and met Barry (aged 70), who at the age of 60 decided to sell his flat and see the world.
One of his ventures was to buy a truck in USA spend 4 1/2 months travelling round 42 states and Canada and then selling the truck for $200 more than he paid for it.
Good trip to Milton Keynes after changing inner tube. Second day - first puncture!
Thanks to everyone who posted comments. Great to hear from you all - especially Sweetheart.

The First Post

Although the cold weather hasn't encouraged me to get out on my bike as much as I would have liked, with the encouragement of Chris, Lisa and the rest of the staff at PF2 Gym in Malvern, I am somewhere near fit enough for departure.

I'm looking forward to the ride a good deal more now that the cold easterly wind has at last swung, and weather is a bit warmer.