Saturday 11th July.

Thale to near Wulfen.

Aut viam inveniam aut faciam.

Set forth again at 0800. After a jaw dropping near vertical start, the planned escape by courtesy of Pythagoras entailed taking the hypotenuse route from Thale to Gatesleben thereby missing out on miles of more forestry stages.

This route led us by chance through the unbelievably, astonishing town of Quedlinburg (look it up!).

 This off route cycling was a joy until we joined the R1 at Gatesleben.
After breakfast at the local supermarket we had no option other than to follow the map again. The route was a distinct improvement however compared to Holland! - (we loved Holland) - the unpaved surface saw us bouncing our meat-tendering way along yet more R1 to the town of Stassfurt.
The town was a complete contrast to Quedlinburg being somewhat run down and we quickly cycled through.
After more careful route selection, Nienburg on the R. Sarle offered us lunch.
Derek was by now softened up and I could take liberties down small country lanes. A bench stop saw him unconvinced and unsmiling......

....but his demeanor improved dramatically when he realised we had cut off about 7 miles off the route.

We eventually arrived at our intended campsite to find, only for the second time on this trip, that we could eat and buy beer. Our joy was short-lived as the receptionist told us it was 'party night' with live bands and fireworks. We decided to risk it as we were in the middle of nowhere with no viable alternative. Will report tomorrow on the results.
Total distance cycled - 59.2 miles.

Postscript.
Our diet for today is quite interesting.
Campsite - yogurt.
Breakfast - cheese bun and two jam donuts.
Lunch - eischololade, cream gooseberry cake.
Bench stop - nectarine covered in rice pudding (tub split in bag).
Supper - 2 bratwurst and two large beers.
It has not been easy to find eating places anywhere on this trip!