After Hamelin, I decided that E11 wasn't the right path for my purpose. For one thing, there is a deadline and I'm afraid going southwest for one day and northwest the next won't get me to Cork in time. But most importantly, I don't think I belong in a forest (after reading this blog, you may disagree). In all earnestness, I quite like the company of my own species. In fact, it is the main reason I enjoy walking at home: you get to see more people.
So now I'm sticking to cycle lanes and country roads and am having much more fun (see below).
Places
If you pass by some summer party at the very end of a sunny day, people say hi, you are suddenly invited up for a Bratwurst (grilled sausage), then some more, then beer, then some more beer and other drinks, then realise it's somebody's 30th birthday you are gatecrashing (strange customs they have here: on their 30th, unmarried men have to sweep up a pile of sawdust or styrofoam, unmarried women have to...clean a door or something?), and if the birthday boy then offers you his bathroom to have a shower in, you are shown a nice place to camp and on top left with a generous donation by a fantastic young dad of two, if all this happens, then it was a very good day, indeed.
A big thanks to all the lads and ladies in Schaumburg. You guys are unreal.
The same goes for my wonderful hosts in Hamelin, Wöhren and Osnabrück who made me feel very much at home. I will not forget.
After one rest day here in Osnabrück, I will now FINALLY cross over into the Netherlands probably around Monday. The ferry is getting closer...