Left just after 8 this morning, forecast was sunny! Caught 3 trains to a small place north west of Berlin. The station was mainly closed down, just a dropping off/picking up point, and looked a bit sad. The rain started as we got off the train, so we managed to find some shops relatively nearby and bought another umbrella, lol now we have no excuses for getting wet, we have 2 each, just have to remember to take them with us, even if it is sunny!!!!! Walked about 5 kms since leaving the hotel to get to the next spot, which was rather strange. We had some very quiet village streets to walk (the rain had stopped by now) and then through some hedgerows. These had lots of wild plum trees growing, tiny little plums in various colours, and very sweet! There are a lot of mystery virtuals arranged in rows over a rape-seed field and a wheat one. At least the rape-seed one had been harvested so we could walk on the stubble, but not sure how anyone would get them when the crops where growing. Managed that lot with lots of walking and a final multi-cap to get those in the unharvested wheat field. Then southwards to another rail station for the trip home. As we had to change to another train we went out of the station, did a few more munzees then discovered the station we next went to was closed, so then a tram to the next station and a train back to our hotel. Another 15 km day, but back early, so hopefully we can get an early start tomorrow.

Rain in Paderborn and sights of Madgeburg

Awoken at midnight by rain, thunder & lightning!!! However it had all stopped when we left the hotel at 8 and got back 16.5 kms later at 8.15. It was a long 16.5 kms. Sometimes the map does not load all the munzees on, especially if there are lots and so we didn’t realise the scope of what we were headed for. We did some physical mystery’s along the road up to the Tiergarten. An extremely large park/wooded area north of the city centre. It was a lovely place, lots of pathways through it in all directions. Not quite central is a large roundabout which has the Berlin Victory Column in the centre of it. There we met a fellow munzer, JackSparrow and we did some rover swapping. There are badges for the number of unique rovers transported, so new ones are always good to have in ones kennel, even for a short time. From there we headed for the virtual clusters that just kept going on and on and on. There were lots around the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstadt, so we did get some sightseeing done in this city as well, LOL. Sadly the camera I bought for Zack in 2003 has decided not to work any more, so the phone camera will have to suffice.  There will be some more photos, it’s just tooooo late to do them tonight, sorry.

Not much happened today, mainly travelling. We caught the 7.15 train from Paderborn to Hannover, where we had a little time between trains to cap some of the virtuals at the station. A train to Magdeburg was next, found the luggage lockers and then had a walk through a rather pretty city capping more virtuals along the way. Got to the station in time for the train to finally work out it was cancelled, so had another hour to wait and no munzees, sigh. Interesting regional train, it had a toilet in the carriage we were in, suitable for wheelchairs, well there was a constant stream of people, not in wheelchairs, using it. Got to Berlin at 16.45, found the hotel, popped out again for a little light capping and dinner, and now working out tomorrow’s routes. Helen has lost her Fitbit in Paderborn, left her back rest in the Hannover train, here’s hoping she doesn’t manage to lose me as well, lol.

Had a reasonable sleep with the window open at the top rather than the side which meant less noise. Awoke though to the most dreaded sound on a munzee hunting holiday, rain on the window!!!! Helen read a note from a WA munzer about the tail end of a hurricane hitting western Europe. It had stopped by 7.15 when we left the hotel to do some more physical munzee hunting. Had breakfast about 10 and then had to find shelter under the brolly and a very tall hedge as the skies opened up and it poured. 10 minutes later it had cleared enough for us to resume our walking. 13 kms later we were back at the hotel for a rest and a little nap, lol. 16.15 we caught a bus over to the other side of Paderborn and did another mystery trail. A bus back, a rover pickup and some dinner from the supermarket meant that once back at the hotel we had covered 20.5 kms altogether today. Off to Berlin tomorrow.

We had an interesting night last night. Helen had found us a hotel near the Paderborn train station so that we didn’t have to walk too far encumbered by our luggage. The hotel we discovered is right next to the train tracks and we have our room overlooking them. Well there were several trains through the station last night, one of them thundered through at a very rapid pace, and of course the obligatory horn!!!! (our window is wide open though as we prefer fresh air, so some of the noise is our fault, lol) However we did manage to sleep and left around 6.30 for out first excursion through Paderborn. There is a very large network of physical mystery’s and we won’t be able to do anywhere near all of them, but will make a dent in them, lol.

Found a little cafe for a quick breakfast snack and then more walking and capping. The nice thing about these blues are that they were generally the minimum 50 ft apart which makes for lots in a trail. We followed a circular route with a couple of small detours and 8 kms later were back at the hotel for a brief rest. Then out again just after 12, lunch bought at a supermarket as we couldn’t find a bakery, and the onwards. We did set off a virtual multi-cap after we had whittled them down to 100, and then on again, feet and legs feeling tired, having done another 11 kms. We actually had dinner at the proper time, a lovely battered fish with mushroom sauce and new potatoes for me, chips for Helen. Then back to the hotel via the rover drop off point to collect a few more for their next leg . Back in our room doing evening things and planning tomorrow’s capping.  

Well folks, we had breakfast in Belgium, lunch in Holland and dinner in Germany! We got the 6.36 train from Antwerp (it had stopped raining which made for a dry trip to the station) and arrived in Amsterdam, just under 2.5 hours later, having changed trains at Rotterdam. Our phones and Internet/GPS connections do funny things on the high speed trains, there must be some sort of signal blocking but we did manage a few munzees along the way. We put our luggage into storage lockers in Amsterdam and then walked around the canals, roads and alleyways capping virtual munzees all the way. One had to be careful which cafe’s one stopped in front of, the odour of pot wafting out could be quite strong!!!

One of the interesting sights today was a canal dredge pulling dumped bicycles out of the mud and sludge at the bottom of the canal. He was doing very well at it, obviously lots of the thousands around the place end up in a watery grave!

We retrieved our luggage and made the train just in time, we seem to have to hurry up for them often, but we did the same last year, so it’s an old trend, lol.
We had to change trains twice more, so that was 5 trains we managed today, in 11 hours total, which included the 3.5 hour stop in Amsterdam.

Once in Paderborn our first task was to find a Telekom shop and get ourselves a German phone card solely for data, and at 10 euros for 250 Mb and then shaping it’s the best way of doing it. Had dinner, capped a few virtual and physical munzees and dropped off the rovers yet again. Anyway, we want an early start in the morning as it’s nice to hunt when there aren’t many people around, the only thing it’s 21.30 already, and seems so wrong to be going to sleep whilst it’s still light out. But sleep we must!!!

One thing I forgot to mention about yesterday was the tram conductor on our first tram wasn’t interested in taking our fares, lol, she just said she didn’t want it!

Rather an overcast look to the sky this morning, when we finally left the hotel. We hadn’t gone to sleep until just after 11 pm, so didn’t get up until late as well. Caught the 9 am train to Rotterdam, which was just over an hour north of Antwerp. Had a quick brunch at the station and then caught a tram out to Het Park which had a nice collection of virtual munzees around and through it. Lovely park, flower beds as well as lightly wooded areas and an escaped parrot or 2. We caught the tram back to the main station and then back on the train to Antwerp. These Europeans are so lucky, they have a great rail network and can get around so fast and easily, all places are accessible and relatively close!
We got off the train in Antwerp to discover it was raining and had been for a little while. Not heavy, but just enough of a drizzle to need a modicum of protection. We had a kebab in an interesting pocket of some bread like substance, it was delicious! Back at the hotel we have been sorting out bits and pieces, munzees & trips, and watching the rain. Here’s hoping Amsterdam is drier tomorrow.