Hamburg is a Huge city that seems to have as many streets of water as those that are paved.  We rode for 6 to 7 miles along the Hamburg harbor, one of the main receiving ports for the country; and with Germany importing more goods from China, that (in itself) is a Lot.  Saw the sailing ship in port that visits the Norfolk harbor during HarborFest.

Just outside the city, we realized how wide the Elbe Rive had become. We had a short ride through the woods where you could see the steam rising from the street as the sun hit the newly moistened road (yes, it rained again last night).

The route from Hamburg to Glückstadt is a straight shot, except for a couple glitches.  We skipped the sandy beach that was part of the course, but could not avoid the stairs. Seriously, we had to push our bikes with 50 pounds of gear UP the stairs. Once out of the city the water-scape reminded us of southern California, beautiful homes staggered within the hillside overlooking the water……different water of course.

And then it began………twenty five miles of “dodge the do”.  We crossed a gate into sheep country.  Although we had been biking by sheep at all turns in the last two months, we had yet to bike through sheep; they wouldn’t move and some even insisted on their picture being taken (you had to be there).  Cute for the first couple of miles, but after dozens of gate crossings and more piles than you can (breathe through) imagine, we were over it.  Luckily, the cows and horses were fenced off the course.

At 1:00 and 45 miles we’d reached our destination and seriously contemplated going on.  With the flat, straight course, we didn’t feel we’d biked enough.  Over coffee and beer we looked at all options and decided to stay.  Found a fabulous little bed and breakfast, Pension Am Museum, might sound stuffy, but it would make most master bedroom suites in a nice home pale in comparison.  We settled in, then out the with our obligatory tour.  This town seemed different than most in that the town square was the least interesting thing to see.  The side streets and small waterways offered a much more interesting site.

Glückstadt and the surrounding area are known for Matjes (young female herring), so we had to try it….….very tasty.

And two last pictures for Robyn, beansand flowers, is your garden ready?