Preparing for Potsdam

Now that restrictions are being lifted, we can (pretty safely) take the trip to Potsdam we planned last February.  That means, among other things, getting in shape since biking is on the menu at least 5 of the 7 days we're there (weather permitting, of course).  That means taking more rides around here.

Today, Gut Sandbeck.  There are always multiple choices for routes since there are so many bike paths and lanes so it's fun to take one way there and a different one back. Ah, the best laid plans...

Here's more or less what happened, not the plan. Blue is to, red return.  Total 43K, 25K there

It doesn't really matter.  We got there and we got home all in one piece.

Before we even got really started, we went by a play area that's under reconstruction and I was floored by the new installation.  Pretty challenging for kids, I'd say.

We biked along the Lesum River till it met with the Hamme.  There are so many little canals, most built to help drain the low-lying fields and pastures, but they're as picturesque as the river sometimes.

 Along the river, there's some work underway and this caught my eye.

Onward!  We missed a turn, wouldn't you know, and though we'd planned to skirt the town of Osterholz-Sharmbeck, we ended up going through.  It is undoubtedly the most confusing place!  We've been there before by car and bike, and I think we get turned around every single time.  This was no exception. So after a few more wrong turns and some friendly advice from residents we finally arrived!

It seems there's been a working estate there since before 1000 CE, but this manor house dates from about 1575.  It stayed in one family till the mid-19th century and then assorted wars and such led to other owners and eventually its demise.  The local town bought the dilapidated buildings in the 1980s and restored them.  Now there's a theater building, local government offices, a nice setting for weddings, a music school and the community center that offers classes in everything from languages to yoga to woodworking and beyond.  Nice setting to say the least.  Love, love the chestnut tree next to the barn.  They're in full bloom now and grace all kinds of streets and gardens.

We arrived just in time to sit on a bench and listed to some students practicing while we enjoyed our banana bread and tea.  How nice.

Getting home was less adventurous and ordinary since we opted for the most direct (read: shortest) route. Our last couple of outings have been a bit hard on my knee, we tried to pace ourselves and just pay attention.  This time my knee didn't start talking to me till we were almost home, so after 40K.  That's good!  I think it's getting in shape.