Day 6 and we’ve peddled 430kms and Denmark doesnt seem to be getting any closer.So tomorrow day 7 we are jumping on the train up to Hamburg. Hamburg was our original destination with an intercity ICE express train from Amsterdam a mere 6 hours not 8 days peddling. The bike carriages of the ICE trains were totally full for August hence we thought we’d pedal instead…From Hamburg we are starting the route we wanted to do the Ochsen Way yes oxen a mediavel route.

Today was a really good day in spite of Tim putting his panniers on backwards and mislaying multiple things before we set off. It seemed that all roads lead to Bremen at one point we were on a Pilgrims route and when we did go wrong we still could do a few left and right turns and still be heading to Bremen. Morning tea was at an amazing water wheel set up for Benedictine monastry in 1200 to grind wheat, it has been replaced many times since then but is still operational at this lovely place called Heiligeronde.The bakery did great milk coffees, a big mug of tea for me and somehow Tim and Mick managed to slip in an order for an apple strudel each.It was an interesting ride including stretches on cobbled roads, my teeth havent fallen out just yet, how do the tour de france riders do it.?A lot of shady stretches luckily as it is warming up again another reason to head north. It was a beautiful ride into Bremen although at one point the signposts did completely disappear but very quickly we were being directed on by friendly locals.Tim and I took our time as we entered Bremen and then found all these market stalls selling food. It was so well organised and no throw away plates and cutlery, you just returned them to be washed up. I couldnt resist a big bowl of split pea soup, I know a bit warm for soup but it smelt really good. Amazing value 4euros including bread.

Bremen has an amazing city centre complete with a huge St Peters cathedral, town hall, fountains,statues, historic buildings and a huge market square. The cathedral and town hall survived the bombing of world war 2, suprisingly as 60% of the city was bombed .We are suprised how friendly and really helpful locals are here

There is so much to explore here you would need a week and of course the Brothers Grimm story of the 4 neglected animals a rooster,cat, dog, and donkey all musicians who set off to journey to Bremen is celebrated with statues all over the city.

We are staying in a very modern hotel its back to the 70s with lime green and bright pink and finally a proper bed ie. Not 2 single beds pushed together so that inevitably one of us disappears down the middle towards the floor in the night.Good job we didnt risk getting a supply of the hash cookies in Amsterdam I think looking at this psychedelic green and purple patterned carpet is enough to space you out when not under the influence of anything.

A relaxing evening looking out of our 5th floor window yes it is open wide.

DAY 7

Today was meant to be a nice relaxing day. It started out fine with a leisurely breakfast and then we met Mick at the main railway station. We were taking advantage of Germanys 9 euro train deal to go anywhere. The bikes still had to have their 5euro ticket aswell.Then we tried to get the lift to the platform. We queued and queued .Mick managed to get in but then deluges of people arrived with huge suitcases, everyone was going to Hamburg on their 9 euro ticket. Tim got pushed out of the lift and gave up angrily carrying his bike up 3 flights of stairs with all his luggage on. I took my panniers off and carried my bike up. By this time the platform was getting more and more crowded, and we had no idea where the bike carriage was on the train.The train arrived late and people were struggling to disembark by sheer luck we were standing right where the bike carriage landed when the train stopped.Somehow we got on but no seats the train was packed.So no relaxing train journey .Tim and I sat on the floor Mick stood the whole way.I still wasnt prepared for the horrors of Hamburg Station.The platform was totally packed a mass of people trying to board our train as we tried to get off.Then we had to get up steps amidst the crowds. .Luckily i found an elderly lady at the top of the stairs to guard my bike whilst I went back for my panniers.I wonder if the german government were regretting their 9 euro fares it was utter chaos parents were carrying 8 year old children to protect them just crazy.We loaded our bikes back up to exit the station but the lift was out of order. A guy in a wheelchair jnformed us there was only one lift in the whole if Hamburg station working, german efficiency?? One more effort up 2 flights of stairs and we were finally in the streets of Hamburg. The train was 20 minutes late as people had struggled at every station to board the train.

I could have done with a stiff whisky to recover but a drink of water had to suffice.

Luckily Tim was with it so he navigated us out I would have gone the wrong way.We stopped at a cafe for drinks and then had the lovely ride out of Hamburg along the Elbe. One beautiful section full of cottages with shutters was pedestrian only so we ended up pushing our bikes for about 2 kms apparently these were all once fishermens cottages in the suburb of Blankenese.We passed beaches with people swimming opposite container ships. The path varied from cobbles to compacted sand, but fortunately well shaded. At last we reached Wedel the first town of our Oxen Trail and to our very friendly hotel, Hotel Diament.

The town is famous for a statue of Roland 1400s who was one of the Charlemagne emperors and a battle hero.

It also has a beautiful lake full of waterlillies.The weather is warming up again so still wont be getting my winter cycling gear on.A modest 24kms peddled today but plenty of weight lifting of bikes and panniers up and down stairs!

453kms peddled!