Monday 14th July

Bad Belzig to Berlin.

Datum perficiemus munus.

Isn't it strange how one seems to sleep better in a proper bed rather than in a tent. A splendid night's sleep saw us again on the road just before eight. It would have been later but the Pension we were in refused to make us breakfast because we were the only two who wanted it! Thoroughly unloved we set off on the last leg of our journey. The R1 again took us through forests but this time with beautiful paved cycle ways. A quick stop in Bruck saw us eating our traditional breakfast of Pfannekuchen with hot chocolate and espresso. We also called in to the post office (we'd been looking for one for 3 days) to buy a stamp for Derek's daughter's birthday. It's on the way Helen!
We soldiered on with rather leaden legs until just before Potsdam we stopped for further refreshments.

 Onwards then to Potsdam where Anne and Jenny were waiting to offer encouragement for the last 25 miles of the journey.

After failing to get either of our wives to change places with us we trundled off towards Berlin. We came across a monument to Derek's new grandson (still to be named but we both feel confident Wilhelm 1 von Warendorf will feature somewhere).

As we drew closer to Berlin we were composing phrases for our final blog. It was going to read - 'the two gallant cyclists made their way through the Tiergarten towards the Brandenburg Gate, a fine example of man and machine in perfect harmony...'

Unfortunately the heavens opened and we cycled under the Brandenburg Gate in torrential rain. We arrived at the Hotel Melia like two drowned rats.

Todays mileage - 58.3

That seems to be all there is to say. We covered a total of 564 miles in 9 days and if we had just one single piece of advice to give anyone else who might wish to follow the R1 cycle route it would be this - don't EVER leave the borders of Holland.
We have three nights in Berlin before we return by train to Arnhem and from there home.

Ad victorium.
Acta est fabula plaudite.