River Oder into Kostryzn, Poland

Cycling out of Berlin was just as easy as getting in using the established D3 cycle way which is the EuroVelo route 2 through this part of Germany.

Very soon on tracks skirting lakes and forests. Variable weather but warm. For the first time off cycle paths and on some busy roads.

In Muncheburg an oldish guy accidentally falls off his bike and an ambulance attends. Round the corner two cars bump into each other but not too seriously and 5 minutes later I pass a high sided lorry half toppled over the verge with police attending. I concentrate hard and move on cautiously!

No control on the border and Kostryzn is just the other side of the River Oder. This Lubuskie region was once occupied by Germany until after the War when the Germans were expelled and Poland took control.

Sightseeing in Berlin

My day in Berlin would be completely insufficient to do justice to this city. To be reminded of the World War and Cold War associations would have to be enough.

Kaiser Wilhelm memorial church is an iconic landmark left in its damaged state, following wartime air raids, as a memorial to the war devastation.

Alexanderplatz and the Fernsehturm Tower (the one that still looks so futuristic) is so Cold War and so atmospheric. The Russians were still ahead in the Space Race in that era of course!














And the Wall, a section controversially retained, seen from a viewing platform above a memorial exhibition centre. It is decaying - perhaps intentionally? I see the dilemma of actually 'maintaining' this symbol of segregation and division.

The memorial to the murdering of Jews in Europe, the Holocaust memorial, is an extraordinary statement. Standing in close proximity to the Reichstag and Bradenburger Tor is  a statement in itself.

The unmistakable Reichstag building and the seat of the German Bundestag. See it in action through the Norman Foster glazed dome over. Intentionally avoiding 'closed doors' in these new times.

Berlin

I guess Germans have little opportunity to visit the coast but they just love to take a dip when the sun is out - in the lake! Its a scene which is innocent and touches the memory chords.

My 'ribbon of green' route allows me to leave the waterways of Potsdam and enter Berlin effortlessly. Past the Victory Column (pre war triumphs) and through the Brandenburg Gate.

There is something very special about this city.

Magdeburg to Potsdam

Saturday

Magdeburg cathedral on the River Elbe and more modern architecture. The landscape is heavily wooded and testing long tracks  unwelcome on a day with a b&b deadline!

I disturb a deer with a stunningly glossy coat of hair. Seeing it leaping through the undergrowth was breathtaking. What a beautiful creature in its natural surroundings! Wolves have migrated into this more northerly part of Germany and generally welcomed, but not by all farmers!

Nature gave me and the bike a hammering today!

Potsdam in the Federal state of Brandenburg is 30 kms short of Berlin and lies within a network of small lakes and waterways.

An extravagant rococo palace and the Summer residence of Prussian King Fredrick the Great reminds me of the extensive history of this part of the world. The rebuilt Evangelistic Lutheran St Nicholas church with dome is still sparklingly new. Steadily post-war rebuilding continues .....

Saxony-Anhalt

Crossing the line which was once the border into the Germanic Democratic Republic, East Germany, is an important moment on the journey. It all happened back on the 20 December 1989, remember (some of you anyway)?

Romanesque style churches in mediaeval towns in this region of Saxony-Anhalt are a surprise and the area is beautiful. Memorials to dead German soldiers often seen on the roadsides.

Magdeburg is a major city on the River Elbe and once one of the most important cities in Medieval Europe. Otto 1 the first Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire is buried in the Cathedral. After being heavily bombed in the war the Soviets cleared much of the historic part and rebuilt the city. It is an impressive place nevertheless!

The Jugendherberge (Youth Hostel) saves the day as I am turned away from my 'fully booked' Hostel with whom my reservation was made! The language barrier is sometimes an issue in these circumstances.

Harz mountains to Goslar

Goslar has a lovely mediaeval center and stands alongside the Harz mountains which are the most northerly mountains in Germany.

The Imperial Palace and what's left of the original Cathedral together with the town center make up a World UNESCO site. Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire used to spend time here. Interestingly, mentioning the Romans, the area north of the Rhine was never conquered by the Romans - like Ireland!

Hazy sunshine for the first time today!

Holzminden in Lower Saxony

From my living room sofa I saw Jorge leave in the early hours for Suisse and a paying tenant set off for her course in 'Infomatics'. She prefers the teaching methods in Holland but had to come to a German College to pursue her preferred career! I simply have to lock up when I go!

Lovely countryside with rolling hills and time to reflect in the quiet AirBnB in Holzminden..

North Rhine-Westphalia

Tuesday

This region of Germany is North Rhine-Westphalia and one of 12 regions in the country. It is similar to Holland and mostly agricultural land.

No real problems although arriving at Bielefeld was a bit of a shock as the land suddenly rises steeply. In pre-historic times this was once the coast line. Holland did not surfaced for some time!!

Warm Showers host Jorge and friends prepare and share dinner on Tuesdays. Great meal, interesting and travelled people.

The difficulty the German nation has with matters relating to Israel and the Jewish race is evident. However sensitive the topic is not hidden and you have to respect that attitude.

New wheel for new country, Germany

Finding a bike shop open was the first objective today. Persuading them to urgently fit a new wheel assembly was next. Rob and Lucie, my Warm Showers hosts, were happy to help. Without their help I doubt I would have made it to Munster today. (thank you both)

The Munster building is the original town hall (Rathaus) and contains portraits of delegates attending the Peace of Westphalia talks in 1648. It's been a very complicated day with bike repairs and old fashioned map reading. And, in case you wonder, those life-size figures are carrying sausages!

Utrecht to Gaanderen

Rain and wheel rim issue combine to make it a difficult day. Rob and Lucie are lovely well traveled Warmshower hosts in a region of Holland where the population is in decline!

Generally shops closed on Sundays here and, from earlier travels in Europe, many are shut on Mondays too..............worrying with major repairs to bike required!!

Worldly Dutch, Netherlands

Cycling is what the Dutch do and my 99 kms journey to Utrecht, through Den Haag (The Hague), never once took me off dedicated cycling paths. It is no accident that people journey by bike!

The Peace Palace is an iconic sight in Den Haag and a Peace flame burns alongside. Endorsed by 194 countries the list of countries supporting this Peace initiative includes Wales. The Palace accommodates the International Court of Justice and the Permanent Court of Arbitration.

Also in Den Haag is the Dutch Government building and a double storey cycle park in front of the main railway station holding about 20,000 commuter bikes. That's the way to make a difference!

A new friend Alexander, whom Sandra and I met in Santiago, with his partner Stukia say goodbye to friends cycling home after a sumptuous meal at their home near Utrecht. Wonderful hosts!

EuroVelo 2 Capitals Route - Galway to Moscow

The European cycle route network covers 14 long distance rides across Europe aimed at encouraging Sustainable tourism.  EuroVelo 2 is known as the Capitals route connecting Galway in Ireland with Moscow in Russia.

The route crosses 8 countries and is in excess of 4,000 kilometers.

Stages 1 & 2 (2014 & 2016)

Images on route from Galway to Dublin in Ireland, Holyhead to Cardiff in Wales and via Bath into London in 2014 & early 2016.

Irish whiskey, Tullamore Dew

Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Venetian architecture in Bath

St Paul's Cathedral, London

Stage 3 (2016)

The completion of the final stage beginning in London on 20 May and ending in Moscow on 26 June 2016. On

Friday 20th May  following a long 125 kms first day ride from London to Harwich, the ferry has set sail and early tomorrow we dock in Hoek van Holland.