Our cycling holiday started with a very smart breakfast followed by the usual row over which way to turn out of the hotel as we argued our way out of Stralsund’s cobbled streets. Not over the big, sweeping bridge that had given us nightmares but the lovely, older bridge that runs alongside it without the severe elevation.
Our 65k route took us out through farmland, woodland and small villages with beautiful thatched cottages. Heading out of one small village, we passed a new development. We’re trying to work out how we can live here, it’s a far cry from new estates at home.
Our instructions warned us that there would be no refreshment stops for first 42k which had us worried. Resourceful packing ensured we were ok for elevenses, and we reached the elegant town of Putbus, for a well deserved coffee and cake, before malnutrition set in. Putbus was founded in 1810 and is renowned for its white mansions and statutory rose bushes. It is stunning, and a real surprise after the rural landscapes we’d been cycling through. We had a slight detour through the 75 acre Schlosspark before heading out to the Haus-Knopf-Uber. Not only is it upside down but tilted so the whole experience challenges balance and perception, can you find Kim and Jacky in the photo?
We haven’t mentioned that our arrival in Putbus was delayed by the need to fix a puncture. Who was so careless we hear you cry…
We treated ourselves to a brief ice cream stop overlooking the sea at Gross Stresow before passing the megalithic tombs of Ziegensteine.
What had been a rather pleasant, if long, cycle ride was marred by an unexpectedly steep climb in the last few kilometres. We all have to admit to getting off our bikes and pushing. The long descent finished at a small inlet where we, and our bikes, were loaded onto a small motorboat and ferried across to our hotel. We were greeted with a complimentary glass of bubbly before being allowed to check in – a rather lovely end to the day
braysabroad 