Had a bit of a freshen up (ok, that just means I wiped myself down with a baby wipe and put some lippy on) and went out for a wander.

The hostel is in the middle of a load of trees off the ringroad, with a little parking lot out the back full off campervans and motorhomes. Jam packed with them. Can only assume they’re full of people from “the conference” that I’ve been asked several times now if I’m part of. No idea what it is, but they all seem to have travelled to get here. On the way out there was a bloke struggling to empty his motorhome poo container down the foul waste thing. I think a wheel had come off or something, because it wouldn’t stand up straight and he juggling with the metal flap lid to the poo shoot where he had to empty it, while cursing and wrestling with the tipping huge container he’d dragged over with him. As I walked past he looked up at me with the pleading eyes of a man at the end of his tether. No chance mate. Just no. Sort your own shit. Literally.

Got the subway into the city Centre. Public transport abroad is something I’ve never done by myself so I didn’t have a clue which side platform to use. There was no map or info so I just plumped for the side with most people stood on it. Figured on an evening people would be going TO the city rather than away from it.  Good tactic that worked. No ticket machines on the platform and no conductor or barrier at the other end so it was free. Nice one.

Had a mooch round the big shopping area. In European cities the main shopping streets are often open til 10pm and the weather was still a nice summers evening. Found a Lego factory shop, and I’m not sure if you can do this in the UK shops, but there are pots of all the bits and you can make a you. So I made a me. Well I made two me’s infact. They’re in the car. I’ll take pics tomorrow. But I think they’re brilliant. Spent a good hour sorting through all the “accessories” box to find suitable things for my me’s.

Further down the street I could hear music so went to investigate and there was a live music concert going on, with a stage and outdoor bar, and little seating area. They were playing Mustang Sally and other blues RnB and soul. Found a hotdog stall and stood chomping bratwurst while listening and then they did a load of Motown and Diana Ross. By this point it was about 10pm and the shops were gradually starting to close, but people watching were starting to dance a bit and sing along. The band were fab, bit frustrating when they did the talky bits inbetween songs because I couldn’t understand them. But they sang with English accents which was strange! Had a good old boogie with some locals and we chink chinked our plastic wine glasses and sang along loudly. Not sure I looked quite the part clutching my Lego carrier bag and a pack of bread rolls I’d bought earlier but hey I’m on holiday – who cares?! 🙂

Once they’d finished the Diana Ross bit and were singing songs I didn’t recognise I made my way back to the station. The underground runs all night but it had been a long day so I was wanting my bed. The ticket office was closed and it took me a good half hour to figure out what platform I needed to get back. The hostel is so far out its not on the maps that reception give out (helpful!) so I really struggled. But with no-one to ask there was also no-one to buy tickets off, so I got home free too.

Walking back up from the underground I passed a fairground with a party going on, and music playing and people playing guitars and singing. Usually I’d have wanted to join in but was so tired I just needed sleep so instead I was just getting ready to curse them if I could still hear the noise from my room. Lovely music, but wrong time wrong place. On my way back through the hostel carpark I was greeted by what looked like a sewer explosion. Don’t what went wrong but camper man must have had a bad night with the poo chute. There was just puddles of brown sludge everywhere. If anyone has seen Oceans 12 where that baddy does the prancy dance round all the red laser beams I had to do something similar to avoid getting liquid turd on my new skechers. Favvered a cross between hopscotch and Michael Flatley. Just did not fancy the prospect of shitty shoes. I bet camper man regrets his choice of socks and sandles aswell now ha ha ha.

Back at my room and the two marathon runners and their sweaty clothing were all fast asleep so I had to find my pyjamas and get all my stuff sorted by torchlight. Dying know why but when you’re trying to do stuff in silence you can only go at about a tenth of your normal speed. Got all ready and clambered up onto my top bunk which was a feat in itself. It’s that point of hoisting yourself up and over the top when you realise you’re at the point of no return and the small metal brackets holding the ladder on had better take the weight of your lard ass being heaved up them. Anyway, they survived. Hostel tip number 1: Doesn’t matter how tired or in a rush to go exploring you are, ALWAYS make your bed as soon as you arrive. Was so glad I’d made my bed earlier. Got all snug and warm and then France’s version of Sally Gunnell started snoring. Snoring loud. Then I remembered my earplugs were somewhere buried in my suitcase. 😦 Realised they also left the window open that I couldn’t reach from my bunk so I could hear the music from the fairground party and people shouting outside. Was too tired to clamber down off my bunk and faff round trying to make no noise, but torn because I’m really grumpy if I keep getting woken up when I’m tired. I’m the end I just crossed my fingers and decided to do without them.

Today was a long day. I’d started off in England and driven through France, Belgium and The Netherland and now in Germany. So that’s it for day 2!