I've barely arrived and Germany's having a go at me!!

Thursday late evening, I'd posted the blog and had a last look out of the window

Red sky at night and all that; it had the makings of a fine day for Friday.

Friday 29th, All packed up but before heading to the border I wanted to have a look at a couple of old Prussian forts which my route brought me past the previous evening but the light was too dim for taking photos.  It would also give me a chance to see what is reputed to be the best beach in this northern corner of Poland.

Booking.com got me a very cheap room here!!

Some sand castle!

Nice big beach but the Baltic breeze is keeping the crowds at bay.  Germany in the distance.

 

 

Lots of underground bunkers and gun emplacements overlooking the mouth of the River Swina.

 

 

A lot of elderly folk on coach holidays across from Germany taking advantage of the cheap prices that Poland offers.

 

Five kilometres up the road I ride past a red and white painted concrete post and that's it, Germany.

 

Guide book stowed away, my "Ride the Baltic" bit finished at the border.  I'm in Seebad Heringsdorf and about to harass the staff in the tourist office for local maps showing cycle routes.  I've got a rough outline of where I'm aiming for but need some detailed information showing routes which will keep me away from the busiest roads; they also did some phoning around and found me a great little B&B which was on my route for the following day.  The place was supposed to be self catering, bed only but the lady obviously took pity on me, she fussed around making sure I was happy about where my bike would be locked up and then while I was taking my bags to my room proceeded to put a garden table and recliner chair into the sunshine and brought me a big cup of coffee!

 

Five minutes later she came trotting back saying breakfast would be at 0900 and if it was sunny it would be in the garden otherwise in my room!  She also produced a piece of amber for a souvenir to take back to Scotland!!  Apparently her husband often found pieces of amber on the beach when he went fishing.

 

Saturday 30th and I could hear the rain spattering against the window.  I wasn't looking forward to starting off in the wet but by the time I was packed and breakfasted the sky had cleared and the sun was breaking through.

 

My plan for the day was to ride up the east coast cycle trail of a peninsular ending at Peenemunde.  Peenemunde was where the V1 and V2 flying bombs were developed, and back down the west side trail crossing the Peenestrom into Wolgast.

 

The cycle trail was mostly great, hard packed surface through the woods and paved through the numerous small seaside placed dotted along the coast.  The skies darkened and the first fat splats of rain were bouncing off my bike helmet; I pulled under the trees and started putting my waterproofs on, the rain got a bit heavier and the first flash of lightening split the sky.  Within ten minutes it was all over, sun shining and the ground steaming in the heat.

 

A look over to the west and the next squall was already starting to build up.  Ah well, plod on.

 

A glimpse through the trees of an almost deserted beach near Koserow.

 

Yep, the next downpour and it was hail, cold and painful as it bounced off my scalp through the air vents in my helmet!!

 

Nicely thatched holiday homes.

 

A new complex of properties going up and all thatched!

 

Another few kilometres and I was in Peenemunde. 

 

The complex was comprised of workshops, a large power station and launch test areas.

 

The V1 (Doodlebug).  The ramp in front of the train is part of an original launch system.  The train was used to bring slave workers from a camp at Karlshagen a few kilometres away.

 

A V2 rocket.

 

 

 

 

 

From the star it looks as though the Soviets had use of it for a while.

 

The figure on the right with the binoculars has got an arm like Popeye's!

 

From here it was a case of making the best of the weather and pushing back down the west side of the peninsular and over the bridge to Wolgast.

 

Cross into Germany tomorrow (Fri 29th).

Germany's going to be country No 8, should really be nine nein?

Sorry.

The last couple of days have involved a lot of off road stuff which has added interest to say the least!

The 26th started so well; 10km of moderately busy road, then a quick view from Dabki looking over the Jezioro Bukowo.  Another big lake separated from the Baltic by a narrow spit. 

The off road even started with a bit of paved stuff just to make you think it's not going to be that bad after all.

Then it all started to get a bit 'orrible!!

Shoes full of sand, mozzies biting, I was not a happy bunny!!

Nice view of the Baltic and the breeze cleared the mozzies.  It was about a 7 metre drop to the beach!

Down to the wee track in mosquito heaven!!

Track gone, dragged bike back up the dunes and aiming for the beach.

Too soft to ride.  In all, pushed and dragged bike about 15km.

If only!!!

Latarnia Gaski,  it meant only another 8km to go today!!

Into Ustronie Morskie and found a cheap room, more soup and noodles!  Breakfast was a cup of green tea and a banana.  You really appreciate the coffee and cake when you can get it!

Wednesday 27th.  Off just after eight and onto a great cycle trail along the coast for 12km to Kolobrzeg.

A great track, walkers only got the squinty bit on the right!

The last couple of km into Kolobrzeg.

The rest of the day was a mix of concrete slab road, reasonable forest trail and a long section of cobble stones (12km) through a big military area.

The Latarnia Morskie.

Crossing the bridge into Dziwnow.

Got into Dziwnow and found a B&B, 70 Zloty (about £15), the ground floor was a restaurant, bar and pizza parlour, well sorted for food!!

I had to have some pud!  Apple tart with a caramel topping, caramel sauce, nuts, peach and strawberries, and it tasted as good as it looks!!

Mr J and his mum, owners of the eatery and B&B.

Right across the road from my room!  When I arrived I could see the big metal frame work of a ship in the park over the road but it wasn't until I had a quick look out through the curtains that I saw this!! 

Thursday 28th.  A late start, I was packing my bike by the outdoor bit of the eatery when I heard English voices, it was two big guys in jeans and tee shirts.  "Hello guys, what brings you to a place like this?"  It turns out they are members of The Blue Angels, a world wide bikers club and they'd come over for this big rally in Poland.  Anyway, a bit of chat and it's time for me to be off, I've got a ferry to catch later.

The drawbridge over the outflow from Zwalew Kamienski.

And lastly for today my ferry ride over the Swina to Swinoujscie, a bit of Poland stuck between Germany and the river.

Countdown towards Germany, Country No. 8 coming up!

Breakfasted, loaded up and away in bright sunshine!! (It's not going to last)  It's not me being pessimistic, the forecast was on along with the news that Poland has a new president.

10km of not too busy road and then onto more diverse stuff.

But first elevenses and a bit of rehydration.

Another stork in its "Des res"

Bumbling along through the forest and all of a sudden there's a brand new piece of bike trail!

Action picture!  Actually riding not eating!!

A remote piece of beach by a calm Baltic between Jaroslawiec and Darlowko, roughly 7km in either direction from anywhere.

A nice concrete slab trail through the forest, a sandy slope to negotiate and then....

A veritable motorway!!

I was on a spit between the Baltic and Lake Jezioro Kopan.

The motorway takes a break either side of the lake's outflow while the rider negotiates soft sand, a wee wooden bridge and more sand before regaining the motorway.

Lake Jezioro Kopan.

10km of motorway brought me into Darlowko, another 2km of streets and I was in Darlowo, day's riding done.  Another 50+km tomorrow.