Today has been a steep learning curve. You should never leave things in your cabin when you leave the ship. If you are going to do this, make sure it is something inconsequential, like socks, not your wallet. If you do do this, then remember to go back before you have covered 20 kms.

I think you can see where this is going. So I retured to the ferry and the people at reception went to have a look. I was thinking my trip is going to be very short, but I was soon reunited with mz wallet and the 600E tht was in it! Absolute plonker I know, should of got up earlier.

So it was on the road and Right! Right! RIGHT! at every junction. thigs began to go better. because I had spent so much time 'otherwise engaged', I was running out of time and had to give the Van Gough museum a miss. Sorry Vincent, maybe another day.

I did ride over the huge dyke that keeps most of Holland dry, what a feat of enginnering that was! Snigger if you must! I eventually left Holland behind, Lovely people, nice roads but oh so flat!

Into Germany and after 10 minutes of going silly on the Autobonn, I settled down to a steady 130kph which was just about comfortable. I was amazed at how many wind turbines there were, even more than Holland. Mid afternoon i noticed Betty was dancing a bit and a quick look at the front wheel confirmend I was looking pressure fast.

We limped off the motorway and parked up. Poor old Betty, this was hardly her fault but there she was no front wheel and sat on my topbox for all the world to see. Henerick stopped to offer help but then I was saved by Spencer. Originally from the UK but settled in the UK for over 30 years, I had found a great translator, with a car and with all the time in the world!

So my luggage, my wheel were loaded into his car and off we set to find someone who could help me. eventually we found a bike shop run by an old fellow and his wife, in what looked like, his front room! Whilst he put a new tube in, I was treated to coffee and an entertaining chat with Spencer. We finally retured to Betty who looked so forlorn sat on her forks, but I think her mood changed when we replaced the front wheel.

Spencer would have nothing for all of his troubles and made sure I got back on the Autobonn OK. It is a humbling experience to be treated so well by complete strangers. Very good for the soul I do think! Spirits lifted I was back on the road again.....

Many a wind turbine in Germany...

So I finally arrived at my campsite at Hargen, just south of Bremen. It was a little way from just about everywhere, so quiet, too quiet really. I chatted to a fellow with his little son who had travelled around the country in an engenious motorcycle combination. There was enough room for the childs bike on it!

I needed an early night, the missing home stage ahs begun to kick in!