A Day of Reflection in Berlin

The trip so far has thrown a lot of problems up especially with the bike.
It all started when a seagull dropped on a very embarassing part of my anatomy while waiting for the ferry.
I was always told it was good luck but it seems to be quite the opposite.
I arrived in Dunkerque 2.30 am and set off immediately for Alkmaar to try and get on schedule. Near Brugges I decided to ride into the town centre for a breather and a cigarette. The streets of the old town are the granite sets and steering the bike on them is always difficult but seemed more so this time
It was only as I got back onto the tarmac that I realised it was more to do with my steering. My front wheel bearing was suddenly worn or collapsed.
I rode around looking for garage so I could use their trolley jack to lift the bike off the ground to take the wheel off. My bike only has a side stand and no centre stand and I had no desire to lay the bike on it's side to sort it out.
I was in luck when I found a plant hire company owned by Jan who was a biker himself. He had the wheel off and then the bearings out. He located a company only 1km away for new bearings and fitted them for me.
He was great but he charged me. I could have done the job myself but one bearing was so ticht in the hub it required oxy acetalyne o free it.
Off to Alkmaar and it was one of the windiest days I have known. There's no escape from it in the lowlands when it's coming off the North sea with such force.
Had to stop at a services and get some sleep on the grass verge.
I eventually arrived in Alkmaar and straight to the stadium.
I was told that all the staff were on their day off so I laid up there for the night.
Alkmaar is a lovely place, a mini Amsterdam, complete with it's own red light area.
It was very busy in the evening for a Thursday.
I eventually found a covered area in front of some vacant offices to sleep the night.
I returned to the stadium and had all the usual excuses why I could not have a shirt from them but eventually the receptionist contacted the press officer who then referred me to another member of staff, who was there the previous day but not today. I was given his e-mail address and told to contact him later.Tried to take a picture of the stadium and found the camera wouldn't work. Then realsed I had lost my waterproof trousers while riding around the town.

Set off for Wolfsburg around the top route over the big barrier to the bay.
It is incredible driving mile after mile seeing only the land the road is on.
It was a long haul to Wolfsburg, dodging the showers, but eventually arrived at 9.30 pm.
The place was buzzing as it was a Friday evening and there were people roaming all over the centre. It was also bloody cold, but was amazed to find the shopping mal still open with food stalls galore and all the shops open for business.

There was a festival in the town which meant to drink in any of the local bars, you needed a ticket at 14€ which entitled you entrance to any of them. I declined and found a bar near the Auto Stadt.
The AutoStadt is the Volkswagen factory and estate. and is next to the VolsWagen Arena home of Wolfsburg football club.
Again a sheltered office entrance for a hotel room and was up next morning to go the club.
Outside the station I noticed a group of supporters gathering and realised they had an away game so would have no joy getting a shirt. I was right. The stadium was totally deserted.
Off I went heading for Poland. Everything was fine as I tucked myself in behind a car towing a high trailer.
Then disaster struck. Power loss and I wa soon the hard shoulder with the engine making a terrible racket. Big ends? Cam shaft? Broken valve?
I had no idea, but managed to limp it off the motorway.
to be continued