Cycling North After Winter

[Bucketeer]

I seem to remember that a while ago someone suggested a go fund me account or sending money by paypal so that you could continue entertaining us and not die of hypothermia. I'm more than happy to put a few quid in.

Thanks to everyone who said they would donate to a fund or whatever. I think I mentioned a while ago but I would prefer to use the money I've got with me, and then if the worst should happen and that runs out and I get stuck I may start a fundraisin type of page. I'm not skint yet so it wouldn't be for a while hopefully.

 

Junkman and RBJ, I can't talk much about cultural Germany and it's populace but the scenery has been nice so far and I have boats, trains and cars to watch along the river so I'm happy.

[Bucketeer]

I popped outside Ghost Hotel in the early hours of the morning and according to the thermometer it was -7C.

It's still -4C now and this is the current scene outside.

 

 

 

I think I'm going to hang around and see if anyone bothers to appear at the hotel. If not, I may have to 'forget' that I only booked for one night and stay for another.

[Isaac Hunt]

And if the "we wish you a merry Christmas" parcel is still around you might have to deploy the "neun Zehntel" law, you wouldn't want to offend anyone.......those bloody ungrateful brits, been declining help for over 100 years

[Bucketeer]

It was several years ago that I first met my friend Andreas who I stayed with in Cologne last week. He arrived on his bicycle at the hostel I worked at in Bulgaria and stayed for a couple of months. We got this picture the day he left to continue on to India.

 

 

And last weekend we recreated that picture before I left Cologne.

 

[Pillock]

Well as long as you virtual-pinkie-promise to let us know if the cash does run dry, because I'm really enjoying reading your travel log and would hate for it to be cut short.

[meshking]

 

I was thinking this early that I'd be more than happy to fund a night or two in a hotel for you. In fact, if you can plan far enough ahead, I think i can hook you up with some Marriott points for a hotel.

 

But - I definitely see your point of going it alone, and I'm thoroughly enjoying living this bike ride vicariously.

[Shirley Knott]

Fingers crossed you're enjoying an additional evening gratis/undisturbed in yon deserted hotel

 

If not then PM me ASAP, I'll happily cover the cost of another night

 

I'm continuing to enjoy the updates, keep 'em coming

 

EDIT: Beaten to it by meshking, either way the offer still stands.

[Luxxo Waftybarger]

Let me know and I'd happily chip in. If you need anything to keep the ride going to should let us know.

[pshome]

I popped outside Ghost Hotel in the early hours of the morning and according to the thermometer it was -7C.

It's still -4C now and this is the current scene outside.

 

IMG_20181226_092253924.jpg

 

IMG_20181226_092634665.jpg

 

I think I'm going to hang around and see if anyone bothers to appear at the hotel. If not, I may have to 'forget' that I only booked for one night and stay for another.

These people trusted you, left the keys, and believed in your honesty. Why cheat them out of a few euros?

[Mrs6C]

^^^ Suspect Alex meant he'd be cheeky and stay another night without having booked it, rather than stay another night without paying for having done so...

[Shirley Knott]

^^^ Suspect Alex meant he'd be cheeky and stay another night without having booked it, rather than stay another night without paying for having done so...

 

Even so, I'm going to stick my neck out and say that if left undisturbed staying an extra night without paying wouldn't be much of a sin in my eyes.

 

I don't really see much harm in it TBH. No extra washing or clearing up involved for the owner. The place sounds as if it's dead/empty anyway and basically, the only cost they'd foot would be the small amount of electricity consumed to watch telly etc. If one man has a large building full of beds and warmth that lays empty all the while leaving people to sleep outdoors in the freezing cold , it's pretty clear who has the moral high-ground in that situation.

 

*Bites tongue before going into 'property is theft' based socialist rant*

[Bucketeer]

Yes I'm staying tonight in Ghost Hotel, and no I won't be swizzing anyone.

[Six-cylinder]

Mr Toucan did not like the thought of being left in the house on his own over Christmas so went to Wales with us!

 

Getting ready to depart!

 

He found his own Toucan sized Rayburn but had a little too much to drink and needed a cork to balance on!

 

 

and a bigger one!

 

Mrs6C Volvo 740 was carefully examined.

 

He checked the area but it did not seem like Central America!

 

You don’t expect me to bath in that!

 

[Dan_ZTT]

Agreed, if nobody around then it's fine, I'd do the same.

[paulplom]

I'll bung you a large Mcdonalds if you fancy topping up on shite.

[Bucketeer]

My bike lock has been stiff to unlock since I got it, and I've had the occasional worry that one day it might refuse to unlock completely and leave me stranded.

Well about 10 mins ago as I'm preparing to leave Ghost Hotel and head towards the Mosel this happened...

 

 

I was able to get it unlocked with the second key eventually, but if key no.2 were to snap I'd be goosed.

[Bucketeer]

Thanks for the Toucan update 6cyl. I knew you'd come round to Tacky's charms. Was it just his hols or has he moved to Wales permanently?

[They_all_do_that_sir]

My bike lock has been stiff to unlock since I got it, and I've had the occasional worry that one day it might refuse to unlock completely and leave me stranded.

Well about 10 mins ago as I'm preparing to leave Ghost Hotel and head towards the Mosel this happened...

 

IMG_20181227_081207542.jpg

 

I was able to get it unlocked with the second key eventually, but if key no.2 were to snap I'd be goosed.

Judging by that key it's not the best lock in the world by a long shot, so probably only useful to deter opportunists.....

 

Happy to contribute sheckles for a shackle if you want to purchase a better one

 

Sent from my TA-1012 using Tapatalk

[Bucketeer]

Thanks but it'll be fine. I had a little bit of brandy left over after I just filled up my hip flask and obviously I didn't want to waste it. Problems cease to be problems after a slug of breakfast brandy.

[purplebargeken]

Looks like you are making great progress mate.

 

Brilliant pics of Germany which unfortunately due to current circumstances are making me feel very sad.

 

Please cycle to somewhere that isn't Germany or France please. Cheers

[Saabnut]

Alex, if you are still planning a break at my place, I have a couple of good cycle locks with keys you are welcome to. They used to secure the gate but have been replaced with a decent chain lock.

[Bucketeer]

Mosel achieved.

 

[mrbenn]

Is it as cold as it looks? Hope not.

[DodgeRover]

What are you eating managing on 20euro a week? Are you foraging/ trapping overnight?

[Bucketeer]

Is it as cold as it looks? Hope not.

Fraid so.

[Bucketeer]

What are you eating managing on 20euro a week? Are you foraging/ trapping overnight?

(Cheap) bread, cheese, meat, cake.

[chaseracer]

(Cheap) bread, cheese, meat, cake.

 

With the brandy counting as fruit, that's all the main food groups covered.  Top work.

[castros_bro]

(Cheap) bread, cheese, meat, cake.

 

Ist that Bavarian meatcheesecake aka Bayern Fleischkäse ?

[richardmorris]

My bike lock has been stiff to unlock since I got it, and I've had the occasional worry that one day it might refuse to unlock completely and leave me stranded.

Well about 10 mins ago as I'm preparing to leave Ghost Hotel and head towards the Mosel this happened...

IMG_20181227_081207542.jpg

I was able to get it unlocked with the second key eventually, but if key no.2 were to snap I'd be goosed.

Sorry, the warranty ran out on Tuesday ! Free locks ain’t what they used to be I’m afraid. Get another ASAP if you pass a bike shop. Ill happily pay for it. If you have a paypal account or I can do a bank transfer let me know.

[Mrs6C]

Those cables with a 4 digit combination lock seem to work well.