Day 124: Recharged

Handeloh to Bispingen Naturspielplatz

Distance: 35km

A proper bed, a good sleep. Well rested I wake up and go downstairs, were I'm greeted by Kai. As I decided to take it slowly today after a string of long days, I'm not in a particular hurry. It's around 06:00 and I do not intend to leave before 8 o'clock.

After 10 days without, it's a welcome change to have a coffee to start into the day. Odin and Matthias, my other wonderful host, which I did not meet before are joining us a bit later. While I do some last minute planning for the next two days, Kai gets some fresh bread and fruits from town. What an amazing service!

Time is flying and eventually it is time to say goodbye. Initially, I ponder the possibility of staying for another night - which I'd love to very much but the urge to keep moving on is stronger in the end. 

Thanks for everything. I'll remember the stay with you for a long time to come. Hope to see you in the Engadin in the future :) 

It's impressive how such a great experience with my hosts, a good night's sleep in a proper bed and plenty of food can make walking easier. I feel light and agile as I walk through the Lüneburger Heide. Undeloh is picture perfect village I pass through after two hours of nice forest trail. Everything is incredibly neat and tidy. Such a contrast to Hamburg's suburbs. Blustery winds are accompanying me up to Wilsederberg, the highest point of today (169m). Right as I reach the top, the sun breaks through the clouds after a cloudy morning. Good timing!

The remaining day is fairly unspectacular. Mostly along roads. Something that Matthias mentioned this morning keeps popping up in my head: he used to live near the Black Forest. And when he went hiking and climbing its hills, he would see the Swiss Alps. Well, in a few weeks time, when I see the Alps from there myself, home will only be a stone's throw away.

By 19:00 I reach my camp spot, which I found earlier this morning on Google maps. An "adventure playground" in the forest. I expect it to be a quiet evening. Until two young men pull up and get their BBQ stuff ready. We start talking, I get offered a beer and we end up having dinner together. At one point, they set up their hookah. When they found out I never tried it, they insisted to take at least one puff. Curious as I am I do it. Tastes good but one puff is enough. We keep on talking until they leave around ten. I set up my camp in a shelter. It's getting dark now and now I am pretty sure I have the place to myself.