News From Graham and Gill Holder

Well since my last email we have cycled to Tartu in Estonia, surprisingly good roads through pine forests with little traffic. We spent a pleasant few days here in what appeared to be student digs but acceptable as accommodation was limited. We passed through undulating countryside where the big sport is Nordic skiing and they even had a 90m ski jump, so the Baltic States do have one or two hills but nothing to match Surrey!

In the end we decided to catch a train to Tallin (06.39 am!) again on the advice of the Tourist Info office but on reflection we perhaps could have cycled an indirect route but thats for another day.

We spent an enjoyable few days in Tanlinn; certainly worth a weekend break from where we boarded a ferry to Helsinki / Finland. (2 hours duration). From Helsinki we booked our return ferry to Rostock (26 hours duration!) leaving ourselves a day for sightseeing etc. However we had not checked the location of the ferry terminal which turned out to be 20 kilometers outside the centre. The little of what we saw of Helsinki certainly warrants a return visit.

The ferry journey passed surprisingly quickly and docked the following day at 2130 hrs so this turned out to be our first night ride into Rostock or rather a ride through the industrial estate and docks area totally lost and then onto a train into the city centre! We arrived at out hotel about 2330hrs tired but awake enough to enjoy a cold beer.

The following day we boarded another ferry this time to Gedser /Denmark. The weather has turned decidely cooler and seems to rain at least twice a day. Having said that the scenary and the friendly people make up for this.

Anyway more later as we head north west to Esbjerg and home.

So far we have notched up 1760 miles and been on the road/ train/ ferry etc for two months and starting to look forward to some home comforts. Touch wood the Dawes tourers continue to behave themslves!

Gill and Graham