Wietzer Berg to Celle
Distance: 45km
The forecasted rainfall did not happen. Good for me because while I was lying there in my sleeping bag, staring at the ceiling, I noticed all the holes, which would have made a rainy night fairly uncomfortable.
About the hike, well what can I say? Plenty of forest, with some nice Heiden (heathland) in between. To my delight, there's also a lovely pond waiting for me to jump in. After 3 days without the possibility for swimming, I thoroughly enjoy my couple of minutes in the pond, which I have all to myself. Coming out of the water, I feel refreshed, recharged. And it shows me once more: a swim a day keeps the worries away.
The next possibility to swim will be at Steinhuder Meer, where I will be the day after tomorrow. With a diameter of 5 kilometers but only a maximum depth of 3 meters, I'm curious to find out how warm the water is.
The pine forest, bringing back memories from Sweden, eventually ends as I get closer to Celle. After crossing an airfield mid-runway (I mentioned this especially for you, George ;) I soon walk through the suburbs of Celle. A sad sight. Dirty and run down. The city center however, blows me away! Absolutely spectacular with all the half-timbered houses side by side, all in different colors. I surely was not expecting that from a city, which name I first heard on my way up to Flensburg as it was the second to last stop before Hamburg.
I thoroughly enjoy my walk through the town. It's crowed though and I, after 45 kilometers, feel like getting to my camp spot asap. 1nitetent it is for tonight. 2 kilometers out of the city center with a hot shower and electricity. All I need. I share the lawn with a couple and their young daughter on their way from Lübbeck to Verona by e-bike. We have a lovely chat and I admire the patience they have to do such a journey with a 4 year old. Eventually, I excuse myself. It's been a long day and there's still some planning to do for tomorrow: An interesting day. Not so much because of the scenery - it's mostly farmland and forest - but rather because I have literally no idea where to spend the night. There's nothing else than some patches of forest (which are not always suitable because of the ticks) and some farmhouses. Having arrived in the thru-hiking mode my now, I don't worry to much about it now. I can do that tomorrow evening.
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Rob (Thursday, 09 June 2022 21:34)
That was quite a sizeable pond. An invitation to you - when you have sent recorded messages, aside from your foot steps, I am constantly mindful of the birdsong in the background. Do you know the birdsong? The different species? I didn't notice so much of that sound in your other voice messages from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, but I am very much noticing them on these voice messages from Germany. Sometimes they are very loud, suggesting they are closely, and at other times they sound clear but distant. Would you be able to name a few so that I can Google to find out more about them.
I notice with TAs, as they walk through Aotearoa NZ, many are not conversant with the native bird sounds here. You know me, as soon as I hear or see the bird, I am quick to name. It has often been my experience when we've been sitting out the back, and the various birds have flown through the garden, or above, or I have recognised the birdsong, that they (TA), have said "oh is that what that call is" and I've named it as a 'Kotare' (Kingfisher). TA comments, "I've heard that call a lot while walking but not seen the bird"
Sooo, can you name a few of the birds in your voice messages, so that I may find them.
I am enjoying your blog, and the photos are awesome.
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