Lowenhagen- Lower Saxony- Germany

We arrived on Sunday afternoon after a 3.5 hour drive which included a break for lunch. All motorways apart from the last 7Km and what a contrast that was. Lovely little villages, folk sitting outside, waiving at us as we went through.
No more motorway driving for us now we have programmed Tom Tom to take us the slow scenic route.

We could not have chosen better with this campsite. Ralph and Deborah our hosts are a Dutch couple with a young family, who only bought the site last year and they are very welcoming. We had originally planned to stay for 3 or 4 nights but that has been extended to
9 nights.
The campsite is surrounded by woods with the river Nieme running through it, very tranquil.

Back on our bikes again this week but things are a little harder as we are in hilly country! Found our way to the nearby town of Dransfeld via the cycle route which took us through wonderful countryside and away from the roads. Our first cycle trip of the week gave us sightings of a fox, red squirrel,black stork and various hawks. All week we have enjoyed walks in the woods or cycle rides mostly in glorious sunshine.

We chose to visit the city of Gottingem some 20Km away - so that was a bus trip! What a lovely city with fantastic architecture and lovely old buildings.

Gottingem has a university  founded in 1737 by King George 11 of Great Britain in his capacity as Elector of Hanover. The medical students on obtaining their degree have a charming tradition.

Outside the Town hall there is a bronze statue of a Goose Girl called Ganseliesel which means the most kissed girl in the world. The newly qualified doctors have to climb the fountain carrying a bunch of flowers, present them to the goose girl and give her a kiss. We were fortunate enough to see a newly qualified doctor having just completed the task and being carried away, beer in hand, by his friends.

Early afternoon saw us sat in the Botanical Gardens, which are part of the university and tended by students doing degree courses there, enjoying a coffee. Later we took a lovely walk through the grounds enjoying the displays and the tropical houses with some exotic plants.

Being a student city there is a lively street cafe culture and nothing is more enjoyable than sitting with a cold beer (lost track of the different beers I have tasted-in the name of research)watching the world go by in the town square.

One of the days we cycled to Bursfelde which was a 16Km round trip-downhill nearly all the way there- but we paid the price on the return trip. A weary twosome trundled back into the campsite on an exceptionally hot and sunny day. 

Whilst in Bursfelde we came across the Kloster Bursfelde, which began life in 1043 as a Benedictine Monastry. It is still very well preserved and is open daily for visitors some of whom are walking the Prilgrim Way.

We walked down to the river Weser where we saw a number of canoeists and rowers. The information board on the river bank showed that you can canoe for a total of 168km along this river with regular nightstops available. (If anyone is feeling energetic - we have the information!)

This has been a very enjoyable extended stay in Lowenhagen. Our hosts, Ralph and Deborah Liemburg have made our stay here very special and we wish them every success with their business.

We normally continue our travels on a Monday, but this week we have decided to stay the extra day so we can celebrate our 2nd wedding aniversary in such lovely surroundings.

So with a glass of champagne in hand we say cheerio for now and WIFI permitting we will be back next week.

Lots of love Kath and Harry xx