Day 15: Torun - Berlin. Decent roads (obviously they are better in western
Poland!) But our good weather had gone again; pouring by the time we reached
central Berlin. Garmins seemed determined to keep us in Torun, Hotel-
California-style! Terrible traffic going in to Berlin (toasted thighs again)
and nearing our apartment in the centre, on a particularly complex junction,
with traffic going all ways, I got the exit street wrong, and entered a short
street to a T-junction with the Garmin taking time to recalculate. Left it
was, so I indicated left, scanning to see where all the traffic was going.
Then Digital Doris changed her mind and says go right, so I'm trying to change
to indicate right, move across the street, watch all the traffic, and see what
she's going to do next. At this point I discover that 3/4 ton of Harley and
people will not stay upright when you try to turn 90 degrees at 5mph in 3rd
gear! Yes, with everything going one, I'd forgotten to change down! Over we
went, no damage to speak of. Back up and on to our apartment, nicely central.
Day 16: Berlin - Braunschweig. We'd planned a short day so that we could be
pedestrian tourists in Berlin, and when we got up, it was pouring. It was cold
(about 40F) and windy, with horizontal rain. We did our tourist thing
(very worthwhile - would love to visit Berlin again) then set off. By the time
we reached Braunschweig, we were frozen, stiff as a board, and soaked. We have
great wet gear, but had neglected to wear gaiters, or fasten the hood under
our helmets, etc., on the grounds that it couldn't rain like that all the way.
It did. Digital Doris was told - too late - to take the quickest way to the
hotel, abandoning our carefully planned scenic route, and insisted on taking us
cross country on tiny roads through little villages. Had we told her in
Berlin, she's have stuck us on the Autobahn to lessen our pain.
Day 17: Braunschweig - Rotterdam. Started VERY badly. Hotel car park was
underground, with a ticket barrier to get in, and another to get out. Try as
we might, the barrier would not accept our tickets. We tried to get it to spit
out a new one to exit through the in-barrier, no luck. Then a car came up from
the car park, and had similar fun, but the barrier went up eventually, so I
followed on his bumper. The barrier had other ideas though, and failed to
detect my presence. It came down, karate-chop style, right on my helmet,
knocking me silly, then knocking me off. Down goes the bike and I, other
side this time! A little more serious damage to the bike, and to my
helmet, but none to me. (Much to the amazement of my Mrs who - seriously -
thought I'd be dead.) Hotel manager summoned, and he instantly accepted
responsibility as it turns out this barrier has a bit of a habit of doing
this. Eventually, on to the Autobahn for the 500-odd km dash to the ferry.
Yes, more rain! Of course, this means nothing to the locals who continue to
drive on the unlimited sections of the Autobahn at well over 100mph in standing
water about 5mm deep, creating spray that could probably be seen in Paris.
Luckily, the weather brightened and we ended up reaching Rotterdam in the
elusive summer sun!
Day 18: Hull - home. Uneventful, but nature was spiteful, giving us an
entire warm sunny day to ride the end of our hols!
Here endeth the adventure for another year. :-)
Jim
Author
Topic: Scotland to Russia and back part one! (Read 4690 times)