Germany 1

So crossing into Northern Germany at the Flensburg border we managed to get rid of our remaining Danish Kroner on petrol and ice creams. In Germany freedom camping is not allowed but there are places called Camperstops where you can stay with a motorhome. They are, in the main, very cheap and sometimes free but they have begun to spoil this nice little commodity by being greedy.

We were very lucky when last year we were given a Camperstop book which became Gary's bible but, between the 2013 and 2014 season, prices had skyrocketed and facilities deteriorated or diminished. Not to be put off we did find some very nice, reasonably priced areas to park our Molly but generally they were twice the book price as, all that was once included was now paid for separately. The bigger the city the bigger the price.

Weather as well has been not so favourable. The evenings have become decidedly cool, the days sporadic sunshine, heavy clouds and lots of precipitation and strong winds. Of course this can also make for some interesting trips and uncomfortable nights.

So really we have moved through Germany pretty quickly. We have reconnected with O2, so have had data, and DM, so we have cheap toiletries and amazingly crunchy cereal. We have eaten boxes of cheap, delicious raspberries and discovered "pulled pork" in a box = awesome. We have driven through lush forests where trees seem to jump out at you in an effort to kill your wing mirror. "We"(royal we) have reversed into a power pole, making Molly bleed and breaking a joint or two on her bike rack. Nothing that a bit of a "gaffa tape cast" and a bionic arm wouldn't fix though. We have driven and biked along narrow cobbled streets and somehow landed at a "funny farm" where the owner was absent - "taking a tour"!!!!!- and a photo shoot was in full swing - go figure that one. We have had people camp right at our doorstep where there has been an empty paddock all around and we have peeed in a Tardis. We have both been unwell with chest issues, colds and coughs and the dishwasher has given up the ghost at the Lodge.

In spite of all this, plus a "back attack" out of the blue, we have had an awesome time.

We have visited so many amazing places, soaked up so much history and been wooed by so much incredible architecture our heads are spinning.

Flensburg, Kiel, Plön (city of 7 lakes), Seehof, Sternberg, Plau-an-See, Berlin, through the Zeawold to Lobben and Cottbuss. On to Bliese where we enjoyed a 25km bike ride around the lake, through the forests and to unknown villages - yes we got lost but it was an adventure and fun!!!!!! Dresden where we mingled with the trams and got bounced around on cobblestones. Olberhauer a little township as we headed for the mountains literally full of stuffed people and flags (send me an email if you have any questions) - they were celebrating their existance or something. Finally, and our last stop and night in Germany, a ski campsite in the mountains close to the Czech border. This was Seiffen and I will always remember this place and not only for its attrocious roads which looked as though they had melted and the tar had all slipped to one side, if you can envisage that. Anyway it was pretty, odd, quirky, hilly, full of shops making traditional wooden toys, had an amazing Imbiss (cheap cafe) with equally amazing German food that was sort of thrown at you by the gummy waitress but was delicious. This was where O2 cut off my cellphone but not Gary's saying I had already crossed the border.........not!!!! And this was where we met an elderly couple who made us laugh sooo much - just watching them initially would have made a great video. We later helped them, mainly her, to conquer the bathroom code and got to know them a little better. How they managed to safely travel from Munich to Seiffen we will never know but we do hope they get back home all in one piece and enjoy the time they have left together knowing one another. As we were leaving she came to say goodbye and claim a hug and as we drove away they were waving us into the distance like long lost friends. So, so sweet and a fitting end to our Northern German adventure for tomorrow we cross the border into the Czech Republic.

I have not expanded too much on all the places we travelled to but if interested try looking up all the aforementioned places and see for yourselves how pretty they are. Each one very different from the other. I will, however, add a short postscript for Berlin.
The obvious main attraction in Berlin is the wall which once separated East Germany from West Germany, parts of which still remain as a reminder of what it once stood for. Cobbles in the road indicate it's pathway through the city and small portions of it are now main tourist attractions with plenty of information to read, soak up and realise what brutal times they were. The Brandenburgh Gate and Checkpoint Charlie are other        well known must sees but it is The Museum of photography that really brings home the inescapable fact that this was an  era of genocide, brutality and discrimination and serves only to emphasise mans inhumanity to man. There is a rather lovely and very fitting memorial that has been built to commemorate all the Jewish lives that were lost.....it is very sobering.
Berlin has risen again from the ashes and is a remarkable City but I felt a shadow was still hanging over it????

Enjoy the read and we will see you in Czech.

PS. We will be returning to Germany at a later stage as we head towards Switzerland.