Nice campingpark, Sanssouci

September 11

I wake up quite rested and the weather outside is broken and it will probably be sunny today as well. A campsite outside Potsdam is the goal, Sanssouci camping park and the distance is not very far either, only just over 60 km.

I can’t seem to shake those long—though not particularly steep—climbs. There are quite a few of them throughout the day, and let me tell you, I can really feel it in my legs.

Arrive in Potsdam in a sun–drenched weather just after noon. Take mine into the center which is full of people. The bars and pubs stand like rods on the hill and the problem is just to find someone with a patio and at the same time has an electric wall socket.

Das EiS Cafe is perfect and the bike fits right next door. An older lady who passes by still thinks I should move it somewhere else. Her prayers are not answered.

I order a cold large beer and at the same time take the route to Sanssouci camping park. It is just over 5 km from my place and fittingly enough in the same direction as I will take tomorrow. After just over three quarters of an hour I get out of Potsdam, stop at Lidl for some provisions.

The campsite has no difficulty to find. It is located at Templiner see, absolutely perfect. The campsite is huge it is impossible to mistake. There is a queue at the entrance. I have a bike so it is easy to pass.

The reception and the Minimarket shop in the same building right at the entrance. After a bit of waiting I get a place almost at the back of the campsite, Z42 it says on the card and the female receptionist marks on the map where it is. She says that I can pay after 3 pm or tomorrow morning.

Prefer the latter option. Before I continue I buy a coffee and a pastry and sit outside at one of the bar tables. The pastry tastes absolutely awesome and the coffee not much worse. Then I cycle around the campsite to orient myself and there are all kinds of buildings to use, shower and toilet building, kitchen with plates and microwaves and a building for washing up only.

I also found out that in the building for the kitchen there was also a freezer for those who want to put in ice sheets. I have four in my cooler bag that need to be “refrigerated“.

It is quick to set up the tent and I have a view of the lake, feels good. Templiner see is not that big but it has connections to several others so there is every opportunity to jump on a boat and get around.

Although the price is not to my taste.

After setting up the tent I take my hygiene bag and head to the shower building. Now I note how many motorhomes and camping vans have found their way here. 100 is hardly enough and everyone seems to enjoy it.

There are also plenty of dogs. The shower is irresistibly nice and I also take the opportunity to shave. I feel like a new person and the atmosphere, the surroundings give me a positive feeling.

Later evening it will be the kitchen building and some simple dinner. There will never be gourmet dinners when I stand behind the pans and pots.

Still, the dinner tastes good. At 10 pm I crawl into my sleeping bag and fall asleep faster than John Blund has planned.