Thursday, July 18, 2019, Hanover

 

Got up well today. I slept a little restlessly, probably also because my tour continues.

Finally, after days, nice weather again. At around 9.30 a.m. we loaded my bike into their small trailer. Katrina and Pia had to go in almost the same direction, but on the Lübeck side. But they drove me to Husum. There were 2 wuffies, one of them, a Spitz was their guest for 1 month. That was really nice. In general, many thanks for the nice days (week).

Also very nice that I got to know Jenny and Tobi. Very nice people. We had a lot of conversations, including the fact that I might want to emigrate, which is very obvious. Because my gender is recognized here, I have a lot more chances of getting a job. On the tour I was repeatedly addressed as a woman. That is good for my soul. At home I always looked after women, a desire for femininity. Here in Germany that is hardly available, because they give me a certain feminine self-confidence.

I don't like goodbyes so much, so I said goodbye quickly but warmly. Then I drove off, first towards the Husum campsite, where I was last year. But I didn't go all the way there, just filmed it. Then I made my way to Wesselburenerkoog . The anticipation to see Andrea from the campsite again was great.
I was wondering what the Koog means in the many places behind it. Now a Koog, also called Polder or Groden, is flat marshland on the North Sea coast of Germany, Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands through the construction of dykes and drainage. Hence the Koog behind the name.

I had a slight headwind or cross wind. But that was fine. Nevertheless, the departure time at 12 o'clock was already late. Had over 70km ahead of me. I hope I can do it, I thought to myself.

I made good progress, but in between I treated myself to a meal at a small seaside restaurant, a small mixed salad, potatoes with pikeperch and a vegetable side dish. Tasted really good. Then it would continue along the North Sea. Shortly before Büsum a man stopped me. He said my journey ended here. At first I thought he was joking. But then it turned out that he was checking bathing stalls and that you had to get off your bike and walk. He kindly asked for a fine. Oh god how expensive it might be? This cost me € 2, uff.
Arrived in Büsum, there was this skyscraper. Actually ugly, but again imposing. Because you could see this part for miles.

At 6 p.m. I still had 29km to go. I called Andrea from the campsite because she was closing the reception at this time. On the tape she said that the campsite is full, possibly still tents. Uff, I hope it works. Said her on the tape that I would arrive at the campsite at around 8 pm and hoped she would listen to it.

Easily in a hurry, but not stressed, I drove on. I used my cell phone as a navigation system to see how far it was. I knew the route in reverse from last year.

Finally, one more turn, a few more meters and I was there. I drove to the registration house, no Andrea. What should I do, just pitch the tent and see tomorrow?
At that moment I heard a bicycle bell, looked around and saw Andrea drive up. I was relieved and happy to see her again. We fell on each other's necks, hugged each other. A wonderful moment. We talked a little. She said I would always have space and if I had to spend the night in her garden. Wow….

Then she showed me the place, the same place as last year. I built my tent. Not finished yet, I was invited by Andrea and her friends to have a drink. We had a lot of fun. At some point I had to leave before it got dark. Set up a place to sleep in the tent and then take a shower. Then I crumbled into the tent. Soon afterwards it started to rain. Again, perfect timing. So I let the evening end, happy and content I fell asleep.