Potsdam

Most of Potsdam and its surrounding area is definitely one of outstanding beauty. Potsdam is about 50 kms from Berlin and was once held the summer residences of the Prussian Kings, starting with King Frederick 11 (1712-1786) who built, first a very intimate and homely palace called Schloss Sanssouci, and then a grander palace called Neues Palais. They were used by the royal kings until the end of 1918 when the Kaiser William 11 was sent to exile in Holland. The style of the grounds and palaces were similar to Versailles but the Prussian Kings were more modest in the amount of money they spent on themselves.

Sanssouci with the terraces in front of it. The doors between the climbers are made of glass and inside were fruit bushes, not ones that we recognised though.

Neues Palais

We stayed in a camping ground called Sanssouci (not the palace unfortunately) for four nights. The facilities were immaculate, beautifully tiled and heated and with plenty of luxurious extras added, such as private bathrooms, family rooms, hairdresser. Each site had its own grey water outlet, unfortunately our motor home does not have the fittings to hook up to it. Each day I watched the staff rake the leaves off the pitches and brush down the walls of the ablution blocks. If only they had WiFi throughout the campsite than I would have been really happy! The camping ground is on the edge of the lake and is surrounded by woodland. In fact most of the land around Potsdam and the lakes is heavily wooded and flat. Cycling here is a pleasure, with excellent cycling paths, often through woodland and considerate motorists. When in towns the cycle paths are incorporated in the footpaths, often they are paved in a different colour but sometimes cyclists share the footpath with pedestrians. So far we have cycled to the Park Sanscouci, went on a tour to the small towns of Caputh (where Einstein lived for a while), Geltow and Werder and finally we cycled around one of the lakes and spent a few hours in the old town of Potsdam.

Time for coffee!

A very picturesque view of one of the villages beside the lake. We took a short ferry ride to travel to one town - a rest from cycling!People are very friendly, both the tourists and the residents. They also look happy, but then who wouldn’t be, in such lovely countryside.

I still have not found the keys to my computer security lock. I think I have thrown it out as it was last seen on the table amongst the maps and papers. So we have rung the camping ground in Manjestre, South of France and they are going to send the spare key to Aaron. Hopefully it will be there when we arrive.