Home again

Well I made it. Further reflection to come once I've recovered/digested/slept on it....

Things I'm looking forwards to doing:

. Sitting with Beth & watching the final episode of Game of Thrones.
. Getting Noah to make coffee at home now he's an expert!
. Snuggling up with a cat on each side and watching the bike racing I've recorded!
. Catching up on 3 weeks' comics!
. Washing 9 countries' (!) dirt off my bike.
. Opening my locked pannier (key broke a week ago)
. My own bed!

Homeward bound

What a day!

I left Frankfurt at 9.30am, safe in the knowledge that I could take my time because I didn't have to be in Rotterdam till 7.30pm. However, while sneaking past the hotel's car park barrier I caught it with my handlebar and knocked the barrier off its hinge! I quickly jury rigged it back on and did a runner!

I was making good progress; passed the new arena in Frankfurt - still under construction, but what a stadium! However, approaching Cologne the Autobahn was closed and left my GPS floundering. In the end I went right through the middle of the city - what a stunning place, dominated by the cathedral (where Martin Luther nailed his edict) on the banks of the river. I wish I'd stopped and taken some pics, but you can look up some on Google Images if you're intetested...

Anyhoo I got headed back on the road into Holland where the real fun began. Just over the border the Autoroute closed for repair and sent me away god only knows where. I tried to head towards Eindhoven but that seemed to be a no-go area for some reason. I kept getting redirected south and east - and Rotterdam was north-west! Time was getting tight, too - I had to get to Europort far across Rotterdam by 7.30!

I bit the bullet and headed north along backroads towards Nijmegan. This turned oug to be a good plan for three reasons:

1. It got me going in roughly the direction I needed,
2. It kept me off the Autoroute, and hence away from roadworks, and
3. It took me through several beautiful small Dutch towns and villages I'd otherwise have missed.

I picked up the Rotterdam Autoroute near Nijmegan and hammered it towards Europort, including missing a turnoff in Rotterdam and having to circle round and find my way back on track.

I eventually made it to the ferry with 8mins to spare!

Phew! Shattered and on my way back to Blighty!

Frankfurt Skyline

Not the prettiest of German cities; more business than bohemia.

On to Holland tomorrow and the ferry home!

Wilkommen!

Guten tag! The germans have the best roads, outstanding scenery, perfect weather and wonderfully polite and helpful multi-lingual people. I'll be back!

The run through the Black Forest was absolutely fabulous - an unexpected treat of wide, open corners, mountains and lakes; a beautiful part of the world. I'm more comfy with the language than Italian too, so maybe that helps.

PS I was passed by a convoy of military vehicles heading south towards Austria. I'm just saying...

Bye bye Alps

Some observations about the Swiss:

1. All men under 30 wear man-bags
2. Everyone queues 3m apart for the trams.
3. They all start work at 8am. Barbarians!

Wrong snails...

Dining in a Swiss restaurant tonight, with some menu translation issues:

"Wrong snails with beef, and herb butter." Wrong snails? Slugs?

"Chicken Karma" The same as chicken korma, I suppose, but the chicken had it coming...

Pic: my pudding (before).