Short cheats

Today is all stops and starts. I pedaled my way to the first gas station - and stopped to scrape the leaves off my feet in the bathroom.

I pedaled like mad to the next town - and stopped to scour the leaves off my arms.

By the third town, I looked a little less Grizzly Adams, but my shoe had blown a rivet - and I had to stop to collect my water bottle. Three times. I was already yawning by the time I hit the 40-km mark at Loningen. So when I saw the 48-km sign to Linden, (I yawned) and stopped to ask the friendly tourist information Frau if there was a bus and a cobbler. After multiple phone calls and some very convoluted instructions, she explained there was a local bus to Herzlake, and there was one from Haselünne to Lingen, but between, who knew? So I dashed back across town, and the driver managed to stuff my bike into the *van* to Herzlake, which connected with a small bus to Haselünne, where I found there was indeed a city bus to Lingen and half an hour spare change.

Time for a 2-minute shoe repair at the local cobbler, Wilfried Brümmer:
Who says you can't get anything for a Euro!