Day 30: Sunshine all day

Overnight, I process the many impressions of Hanover. I have to significantly adjust my attitude towards the city. Nothing boring or quiet here. This was already hinted at last year when I attended a meeting here. Now it's confirmed: Hanover has a new fan!
But I have to keep going. Cologne is calling, and the people of Cologne have put in a lot of effort as well - you'll be surprised to hear what I have to report. We cycle along the Maschsee to the south, and follow the Leine for a while. Right at the beginning, there's an interesting building to admire (yesterday I forgot to mention the Nord-LB, a real eye-catcher) and one of the strangest signs I've ever seen.
The landscape changes a lot: it becomes hilly. There are still fields, forests, and meadows, but also things like mountains. The climbs are still moderate and easy to ride, although my thighs are still a bit heavy. But there's pure sunshine, it's almost too much. And there's still wind, occasionally, and of course, when there is, it's in my face.
We take a break in Springe, a nice little town with half-timbered houses in the old town. The market has just ended, the traders are packing up. Today there's a special iced coffee: with a shot of Baileys. I've earned it.
Before we get sleepy, we keep going. It's not far to Hamelin anymore. We're mostly on the road, but I still have one highlight. We pass an old building surrounded by walls and barbed wire (probably because of its obvious dilapidation). It's a mausoleum that belongs to Schloss Hasperde. After a short time, we come across it, and it somehow looks English (probably not a coincidence, as the Hanoverian royal family has close kinship ties to the English crown...). It's being used as a retirement home. It briefly crosses my mind that when I'm old, I might end up here.
Then the last kilometers to Hamelin, to the Rat Catcher's Town. I followed the recommendation of a colleague from Hanover and booked at the Christinenhof - a good tip. It's practically in the middle of the old town, beautiful from the outside and spacious on the inside. Many thanks to my colleague!
Tonight, there will be a night watchman tour to conclude the beautiful Day 30.