Bombers and Bikes, Day 13, Altenburg to Bochum

We had a leisurely start to the day, with a bit of a lie in. Most of our packing had been done last night, so there was little to do but get ready and have our brekkie. We were the only bikers left in the hotel, but there were still a few other holiday makers. We also seemed to have quite a few workmen staying, with an assorted of vans in the car park.

Fed, we loaded the bikes up and set off, heading north, towards Leipzig. We weren't going into Leipzig but just south was where we picked up the motorway. A cool start, soon turned to something altogether warmer, back up in the mid-high 20s. By the time we needed to stop for fuel, we were ready for a drink. The fuel stop was at a motorway service station, which meant mucho €€€. I wouldn't normally choose to use a motorway service station, for that very reason but we weren't really anywhere near a town, so we bit the bullet. We paid €2.26 per litre! I think before that, the most we'd paid was €1.98. Generally though, it was lower than that.

We were cruising on the motorway pretty much the entire way and made pretty good time as a result. There were a couple of occasions where the traffic backed up but for the main part, we filtered without any problems. Once or twice we had some obstinate git, who either didn't want to let us by, or when we had gone by, tried to come up alongside us, otherwise though the ride was incident free. As we came into Dortmund, there were loads of signs/posters relating to the Euros. Only later did I realise that England are due to play the semi-final against Holland tomorrow, in Dortmund.

Bochum is just 10 miles up the road. I had us down for another fuel stop but the petrol station we pulled into didn't look like it was on line. I spotted one a bit down the road, so we went to that instead. On leaving, I tried to second guess Tomtom, ignoring her instruction, as she had originally indicated to take a certain road. Phil on the other hand, followed the new instruction. After finding a road blocked by diggers and having to retrace my steps, I arrived at the hotel, with Phil directing me into the car park. DOH! There are a couple of Brit rego cars in the car park, here for the footie I guess, and one room has some flags up at the window.

The hotel is a tad strange. It looks like it is an office block and seems to share the building with businesses. Our room is also strange. Very nice and spacious but half submerged, so looking out of the window, your eyes are at ground level.

We had no worries about dinner tonight, as this had been decided before we even set off from home. Kebab! Doesn't sound too glamourous I'll grant you but this was a particular kebab shop, owned by a particular chap, Lukas Podolski, an ex Arsenal forward, who since retirement, has built himself a business around kebabs, with 47 shops across Germany. Being Gooners, it would have been rude not to have visited his shop, especially as it was just a mile walk from the hotel.

Lukas Podolski's Mangal Kebab Shop

We went for the plate, rather than the bread

We had a soft drink with the kebab plate but afterwards, we went to a bar next door, for a couple of beers. It wasn't busy but out of about 15 punters, 10 were English. The train station is opposite, so if they were staying close by, I imagine it's only about 15 minutes to Dortmund for the match tomorrow. Of course, we'll be back in Blighty by then.

Having fed and watered, we made our way back to the hotel. Yet another where the reception clocks off early, though the guy who checked us in had explained how to get in when reception was closed, so no bother.

Back in the room, we watched Spain beat Germany, in the first semi-final. Bugger! Still, there's a job to be done tomorrow, before we can worry about Spain.

Tomorrow we have a straight run through to the tunnel. We'll need one more fuel stop to enable us to get home. There should be enough time to visit Auchan when we get to Calais, and get some beers in, to bring home. I've just about enough room to squeeze a few cans in. 🍻Fingers crossed we don't get held up anywhere. 🤞

Forecast for tomorrow is a bit iffy. We could hit some showers. Tonight though, they have predicted thunder storms. It's just like home, blazing hot one minute, peeing down the next. At least we won't be standing in the middle of a field this time! 😁