Sunday August 14, Wittenberge

The extremely helpful harbourmaster
who took me to the cash machine.

 No one came to visit us for payment, so we left this morning, felt very guilty but we tried so many times to find them, such a shame as it was a very good spot. The promised heat was building very quickly as we set off for Wittenberge. Really needed to get supplies but in this area that was East Germany there are no supermarkets open on a Sunday even in the bigger towns. Filled with fuel and managed to buy a few buns for lunch at the service station. I am finding that no one speaks any English, we have been cruising for the last few months in Scandinavia where English is their second language so it comes as quite a surprise when you speak to someone in English and they have no idea what you are saying. Did a bit of research about what East Germany, and it was under Russian rule after the second world war until re-unification in 1990. But everywhere you can see the influence of this period especially in the housing which is very austere.

Had a really nice drive on secondary roads through countryside and small towns and everywhere are signs of the drought, especially the stunted crops. Arrived at the marina on the Elbe River and found a park that had a reasonable breeze but it is really hot with temperatures well over 30 degrees.

Just too hot for us kiwis so relaxed with our books and sat in the shade. Had planned a few rides in this area but have flagged that at the moment. My fridge was looking very empty tonight so walked across the square to the restaurant for a meal. We were also watching for the harbourmaster who comes around very evening to collect the payment for the site. As we were drinking our wine at the restaurant he arrived and I discovered that he could only take cash! We have got so used to the cashless society of Scandinavia and had no Euros with me. While we were dealing with this, our meals arrived and the really nice girl said that they also only take cash!!! Oooops, what do you do. But the Harbourmaster was so nice, he spoke no English but our waitress interpreted and he offered to take me to the Cash machine after we had our meal. Just couldn’t believe it, but really enjoyed the meal and then he took me down to the town. He spoke no English so we couldn’t chat but we got to the bank, I got the money out and we arrived back safely, I paid him then I paid for our meal. Whew, what a situation, thought I might have to be doing the dishes!  

Sitting outside now with the breeze blowing and writing my blog. This heat is here until Thursday, so maybe will be reading a lot of books!!! The internet is not good here so not sure when I will get this blog loaded. We will drive into the supermarket tomorrow so hopefully can load it then. 

Surprised to see this windmill.

An East German town, very austere

View from the restaurant to our parking spot.