12 From Duisburg to Emmerich - Welcome to Northern Germany!

So that I can keep up here somehow, I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Just a few notes, because on this stage it became clear to me that I have arrived in the 'North' (before that I was mainly traveling in and around cities):

As far as the eye can see, there are no elevations to be seen, even far away from the Rhine Cycle Path. Mountain struggles are replaced by wind ;)

The houses are predominantly built with - what I find beautiful - bricks.

And regardless of the time of year, it stays light for a good bit longer than in the south. So when wild camping, I don't start setting up my tent until at least half past nine/ten. And I'm usually still very relaxed during dinner, as I don't yet know where I'm going to sleep, because it's still light for so long and I have enough time to find a good spot.

Speaking of sleeping places, that's also worth a few lines:

However, rain was forecasted for this evening and the next morning, so I tried my luck again with Warmshowers. First, a student from Kleve responded, but he still had to check with his roommates if I could stay overnight. So I was already in Kleve in the evening when it still wasn't certain. But another woman responded and told me I could come spontaneously. Her house was located an hour away by bike on the edge of the forest near Emmerich, but her profile sounded super interesting, so I actually cycled there. And it was so worth it!

Her somewhat secluded house was built of wood, straw, and clay - super pleasant living climate! - had its own well for drinking water supply and a super beautiful garden where she diligently grew her own fruits and vegetables. Almost everything in the house was made of wood, there was an open staircase and galleries, and there were thousands of things lying around, including circus props like juggling clubs, as one of her (now adult and moved out) sons was accommodated in an exciting circus boarding school for a few years. We also talked about super interesting topics like sustainability, smartphone/game addiction, alternative forms of housing and work models, and more.

When the next morning there was super delicious bread, baked with natural sourdough, for breakfast, I was completely blown away :)

Again, a thousand thanks to my dear host who took me in so spontaneously and at a relatively late hour and gave me many valuable thoughts and tips for the further route!