Dedicated to a wonderful Mother Jean Noble 31/5/1929 - 20/8/2007 - may we never take our mothers for granted. - Goodbye Mum

GERMANY PAGE 5 NOVEMBER 2007

Germany, has had a huge influence on the world. In the 1800's the Otto Cycle was invented and made to work – no not a bike, but the pre-cursor to the engine we use in our cars today. Do you wear “Jeans”? Or Contact lenses? Had an X-Ray recently?? These were invented by Germans. I do not have the space or time to list all the inventions that have come out of this nation over the centuries.

The German people have a lot to be proud of. President Kennedy of the USA made a speech in 1963 "Ich bin ein Berliner," that still rings in my ears today. Who can forget the reunification of this nation? A moment in history like few before. We, once again, are here to learn. Perhaps we will be lucky enough to peel back a layer or two on our journey amongst them, to get an idea of what they are all about? Lee and I sincerely hope so. Whatever happens we will continue to report things “as we see them” Warts n' all.

Tuesday 20th November 2007 Klindworths Gasthof (Sauensiek) to Zeven
Approx. 24k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hrs. M Max speed kph Max temp we recorded 6ºC (Figures added to next day)

Had a good night's rest in Klindsworth Gasthof. “Gasthof!!! What!! do you think we are millionaires?? http://www.klindworths.de/ (soon they will have a new “super duper” web page) No not in the hotel, but in the camp ground at the rear :-),

We are putting their website here not because we got a discount, or anything for that matter, but because they said the next day “IF” they had known about our journey they would have given us a room complimentary... We were charged €10.80 ($AUD18.00) for the tent site, internet and ablutions combined, however, I truly believe he meant that about the room.

A balmy 7C is all we got to today, but bright sunshine made the temperature seem irrelevant. We are camped in a C/van park just short of “Zeven”

On this occasion we paid €15.00 ($AUD25.00) for NOTHING. What's more we were aggravated all night by a mad man – We both are very compassionate towards those with mental difficulties, but, some can be VERY trying at times. What a difference a day makes. Catchya Later...

Wednesday 21st November 2007 Zeven to Wuhrden
Approx. 68.24 k's Average Speed 10.93kph Cycling time 6Hrs. 14M Max speed 30kph Max temp we recorded 7ºC

Had a freezing start to our day caused by it being both cold -1C and windy.. Those that know, will understand the “Chill Factor” can be more difficult than a low temp in calm conditions. Cycling along I spotted a man in a ditch, with pleading eyes and hand held out.

I pulled him out “Danka”, “Danka” was all he said... then the “aroma” hit me, he was well drunk and had failed a right turn only to go A over T into the bush. I will not show his face here but you can see him after we helped him across the road, hope he made it home safely. Lee said he past us quite some time ago... Poor fellow!!

We had decided on the C/van park we're in, before we left, knowing it was about 45k's away. When we finally got here it was 3 and a bit pm and almost dark. There was a camp kitchen and no campers. We asked if we may use the room as a sleeping area and the owner was more than happy. It was raining lightly and another wet tent – we did not need :-) Some half hour later she came back and said “we have an “On Site Van” not being used”, “would you like to use it”? Yes we said and asked how much extra? “No extra” she replied.. Our costs for tonight is a TOTAL of €6.00 ($AUD10.00) The generosity of some German people is very humbling indeed... Oh.. and she grows some VERY big Pumpkins...

An example of some of the cycling signs in Germany – there are other types..

There is a huge difference in the cycle paths/routes, from absolutely atrocious, to fantastic and somewhere in between.. About 70/30 respectively. Catchya Later...

Thursday 22th November 2007 Wuhrden to Hude
Approx. 51k's Average Speed 10.65kph Cycling time 4Hrs. 44M Max speed 30kph Max temp we recorded 13ºC

 A foggy start and VERY cold... (The date is wrong on the camera)

Help often comes from nowhere.. This guy “collard” us and despite speaking no English, did his best to help – even giving us a map.

The generosity by many of these people is truly awesome. I “sort of” gathered his family (some) are in Australia, he would have loved to talk but we could not.

Oh!! for a global language, I for one would make every effort to learn... I understand the “tribes” and their collective “tribal” pride will slow down this much needed change... English has become (Like it or not) the “de facto” global language for the moment... It certainly is an important “Link Language”, However, there is so much tribal hatred, that it can never be “the” one. Sad really it is very well established in most parts of the world.

Well that's about all for today.. Great ride today and warmish weather :-) Catchya Later.

Friday 23th November 2007 Hude to Oldenburg
Approx. 19.25k's Average Speed 10.33kph Cycling time 1Hr. 51Min Max speed 18kph Max temp we recorded 7ºC

A late start as it was “bucketing” down with rain early.. We almost max'ed our stay in the “YHA alternative” (The YHA is of course closed) in Hude.. A wet start at about 10:45am meant the day would be a short one. We needed a rear light for Mal's bike as the rain had got into the waterproof one I had... The one I had was “waterproof to 30 Metres” so it must have been when we last used the trike's as submarines, we got it wet Duh!!! the corporate world...

A good ride but a wet one we approached the City of Oldenburg and Met Hans-Peter Dethlefs, a local Pharmacist.

We had called into his shop seeking advice for Lee's feet, she now has some “Chilblains” on some toes and the sole of her left foot

Hans-Peter and his wife Cordula have four children (above) ranging from 12yrs old down.. They had a very busy social calendar and we did not talk too much last night... Little time for our diary tonight... Catchya Later.

Saturday 24th November 2007 Oldenburg
Approx. 0k's Average Speed kph Cycling time Hr. Min Max speed kph Max temp we recorded ºC

After massive arm twisting lasting ¼ of a second we agreed to stay another day :-).

The company of Hans-Peter and his lovely wife Cordula was really nice.. We were able to exchange views on many issues and were very impressed with the depth and breadth of their conversation. We got to know the boys a little and both of us were delighted at their complex interactions – each of them were a real pleasure to be with. Lee took lots of pictures and we cannot show all here, they are ours for “posterity”.

Sunday 25th November 2007 Oldenburg to Suddorf
Approx. 22.6k's Average Speed 11.34kph Cycling time 1Hr. 59Min Max speed 20kph Max temp we recorded 7ºC

A VERY late start after everyone tried out our bikes.

Freezing rain, VERY heavy at times was the order of the day... we got soaked and cold. The rain was mixed with particles of ice much like hail, so it hurt at times, when hit with a large particle. We both are still overwhelmed and grateful for the hospitality of our hosts. The stop allowed us to email many people (maybe not all) and call family in both England, Australia and Thailand.

Only 20+ k's under our belt today - a short day we are probably about two days away from Holland.

Monday 26th November 2007 Suddorf to Dorpen
Approx. 47.69k's Average Speed 11.48kph Cycling time 4Hr. 09Min Max speed 25kph Max temp we recorded 6ºC

Another late start due to the weather.. We were greeted with Rain, Snow and Sleet, fairly heavy in the morning, plus of course extreme cold. It was about ten'ish when we finally made the decision to get wet again. The snow eased to freezing rain mixed with hail and this was to be the way it was for all of the day. Our travel is along a canal, a very large canal with fairly big ships.

This means it is flat.. Our max. speed was on the off ramp to our destination “Dorpen”... We are now in a “Bed & Bike” accommodation for the night, unable to find ANY camping facilities whatsoever.

Tomorrow we cross into Holland, here we begin a new chapter.

SUMMARY GERMANY

We found Germany to be a nation of incredibly warm generous people. Far more friendly than we had been led to believe.

Sadly, we also found it to be a nation that carries a heavy burden from it's past. One would have to be aged -at least- in their “eighties” to have played any significant role. However, the burden is carried by those who could not and can not change a thing. 

For me, those that insist that children pay for the crimes of their ancestors is wrong. No one, anywhere on earth, can move forward with a philosophy of hate, handed down from generation to generation. An elder statesman “Nelson Mandela” is a person I could have forgiven for feeling eternal hatred towards his tormentors. He did not!!! After his incarceration and accent to the top job in South Africa, one of his worst “tormentors” wife, developed terminal cancer. Mandela went to his home and asked if there was anything he could do to help. Mandela's “humanity” is truly humbling – he is a remarkable MAN. 

The “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” set an example of “Admit, Forgive and Move On”. There are lessons for humanity in this philosophy. Vergangenheitsbewältigung is the German answer (Source: http://tinyurl.com/2jwhxv) and it began long before Mandela's. It is (in my opinion), impossible to find a “tribe” (Nation) of people that have done more about their collective past, than our German friends.

We feel privileged to have been with the Germans. It did not matter where we were, we found warmth and a “genuineness” difficult to quantify, but very deep and very real. Both Lee and myself sincerely hope to visit these wonderful people again.

BACK | FORWARD To Holland

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