2019  Germany

 

Leaving Toronto mid June, Frank stayed at Camping van Veen for a few days before heading along the coast of the North Sea.

Kibbeling!:

Pannekoeken! :

First stop was Den Oever on the Wadden Zee, at the western entry point to the Afsluitsdijk. a free stellplatz, electric included, overlooking the channel, I stayed here a few days, reading and eating kibbeling and haring from the vishandel kiosk right at the stellplatz.

Kibbeling & Haring!:

 

Next I drove over to Groningen, where I did the annual APK inspection on the Hymer at the RDW and strolled through the very engaging town.

 

From Groningen, I drove to Leer Germany, where I stayed in the stellplatz and again strolled along the altstadt fusgangerweg around the harbour.

Next morning I deeked back into NL to visit the old fortification of Bourtange...

 

... the headed towards Hamburg, staying the night in Sittensen,

before heading up towards Lubeck (decided to pass on Hamburg).

In Lubeck I had a great spot on the "Media Docks", right in the center, overlooking the shipping canal, with wooden sailboats next to the camper. Tried the local Labskaus at the Schiffergesellschaft restaurant (touristy but engaging) - a strange dish descended from food that sailors took with them to sea in olden days - a sort of dried meat porridge with an egg on top. Not a hit.

Schneider Hopfenweisse!:

 

Labskaus..

 

After a couple of days in Lubeck, I headed to Rostock, where I had a stellplatz again right on the water/shipping channel, right in the centre of town. Ate schweinshaxe in a brauerie overlooking the harbour.

Schweinshaxe und bier!:

Leaving Rostock, I revisited Lubeck, this time trying the other local dish in the stunning Ratskeller restaurant - a stew called the "National". Before leaving I picked up a bottle of Lübecker Rotspon red wine, which turned out to be a hit . Google it, it's fascinating.

The National! (Hanseatic Stew):

Heading back towards NL, I stayed one night in a great stellplatz in Bad Zwischenahn, with electric and access to pool and showers.

From there I headed back to Den Oever for a night, then to a favourite - the Jachthaven in Medemblik, where I did some real estate and some laundry, before heading back to Kees' in preparation to pick up Taylor & Odin on July 1st.