From Fürstenau to Hamburg and then to the Elbe River

Shortly after eight this morning, the long-awaited news arrives. The VW dealership Schröer, just around the corner, calls. - Our drive shaft has been delivered. So we pack up quickly and are on site shortly afterwards. - The team at the dealership is friendly and thoroughly committed. But you can also tell that our bus is not the kind of thing that comes in here every day. They quickly whip out their cell phones and start taking pictures. We take it in our stride, but the master is shocked and ends the photo session abruptly. So it's off to work. But the installation takes much longer than the removal. But we've waited two days, so what's a few hours? - Shortly after midday, the time has come. Whether VW will shrug off the warranty remains to be seen.

So we could set off if it weren't for our hunger. So we pay a quick visit to the local bakery and butcher in Fürstenau. Suitably fortified, we then set off northwards. Today we are heading for the Hanseatic city of Hamburg.

But first, it's another ½ hour overland from Fürstenau. Fields and meadows line our path. "Lots of countryside here" - Every now and then we see signposts pointing to the Megalithic Road. And suddenly, at the edge of a country lane, I think I see such a collection of stones. Here in the north of the Osnabrück region, north-east of Bippen, there is an unusual stone formation between the forest and the field. I brake and reverse and yes, I have seen correctly. I turn off onto the dirt track and stop. We are standing in front of one of the two Hekese megalithic tombs. Two approximately four thousand year old graves, which were used as collective graves and are connected by a row of small stones.

The burial chambers are particularly impressive due to their sheer size of around 20 meters.

As the burial chambers date back to the Neolithic period, they must be at least 5000 years old. I am always impressed by what these people were capable of despite their limited resources. Some of these rocks weigh several tons. If you are in the area, you should definitely pay a visit to these tombs.

For us, the journey continues towards Hamburg. - Let's combine the useful with the pleasant here. - What do you associate with the gateway to the world? I think the old German term "Friee un Hansestadt Hamborg" says it all. "Free and Hanseatic" - Torgit and I agree. When the Waltershof district, with its port and industrial facilities, comes into view in the direction of the Elbe tunnel, it triggers as much emotion as when we drive over Cologne's Südbrücke bridge after a long journey and the cathedral appears on our right. But while Cologne evokes feelings of home, Hamburg evokes completely different feelings. I can best express it with the words of Purple Schulz:

“Homesickness, Wanderlust, Longing, I don't know what it is"

Is there anyone who doesn't care about Hamburg? What do you feel? - Hamburg has many beautiful districts, but we are always drawn to the Elbe. Whether it's to the fish market, a fish sandwich at the Landungsbrücken, a walk through the Hafencity with a view of the Elbphilharmonie or simply sitting on the Strandperle and "staring stupidly at the water". One is more beautiful than the other.

But when we arrive in Hamburg, we first pay a visit to the Covers Shop for a visit. The guys not only make great custom-made covers (we know them from our garden bench) but also waterproof bags, awning fabrics (also for old Bullis) and much more. When I see their sign in production, I'm not sure what else they make. Please don't call me sexist now. The sign hangs in a production facility and is pure motivation. I think it fits in perfectly with Hamburg. 

Everything here is made to measure. And that's exactly what we need. Because we want to have appropriate bags made for our folding e-bikes. We are curious to see if it will work out as expected. Measurements are quickly taken.

So much for the useful - and what about the pleasant? - Of course, we want to pay a visit to the Elbe. So we drive to the banks of the Elbe to a small, cozy beach below a lighthouse, complete with parking lot. As there is no more space available at the nearby campsite, we decide not only to enjoy the sun here, but also to spend the night later. We are rewarded: the sunset over the Elbe and the lighthouse is magnificent.