Day 28: Sea and Leine River

Last night I was so tired that I fell asleep before the weather forecast. So I didn't know if the wind would calm down today. To cut to the chase: no - but it has become significantly weaker.
After spending the night near the Steinhuder Meer, I decide to drive there as well. Purists may subtract the detour from my route, I don't care. 'Meer' here is the word for 'lake', it would be a bit far to the 'real' sea. In 2013, someone explained the difference to me when we cruised on the Zwischenahner Meer - back then, there was still an excursion budget for the training sessions, one of my favorite pictures was taken at this lake.
On the so-called Badeinsel (bathing island), I sit down in one of the curved big seats, and because the wind is blowing, I put on my rain jacket and even the hood. When I start cycling again, I see a sandy beach where children are playing in the water. I can do that too, I say to myself, at least up to my ankles. I take off my sandals and go into the water, which is very shallow here. The best part: no wind!!!
I continue cycling until I reach the northern shore, then it's time to tackle the last 30 km to Hannover. I remember the old joke: What do a farm dog and Hannover have in common? They are both on the Leine River...
It continues as before: fields, forests, meadows, brick buildings, half-timbered houses, villages with agriculture and the corresponding smell. The sky is white and blue, and the wind, when it comes, is of course against me. The first few kilometers almost make me seasick, as the road is wavy. I pass through Neustadt am Rübenberge again (I simply like the name). Hannover is getting closer and closer, you can tell by the (bike) traffic. Another break, where I finally optimize the attachment of my bike bags. The path runs through green areas along the Leine River, only the very last kilometers are 'urban'. And suddenly I see the Allianz skyscraper (or the skyscraper with 'Allianz' written on it?). Made it!