Day 18: 90 km headwind

Last night I watched the weather forecast on TV. According to that, there should have been 8 - 10 hours of sunshine today (true!!) and from tonight onwards, showers will follow one another. These are delightful prospects...
So I decide to cycle as far as possible today, so that I have an easier time in the bad weather. The stupid thing was that I had headwind the entire way, a little over 90 km, sometimes really strong. I spent my little ice coffee lunch break inside the cafe just so I don't have to hear or feel the wind.
The density of cyclists has noticeably increased. Many cyclists (m/f/d) came towards me (they clearly enjoyed having tailwind), there were significantly fewer going in my direction. Families with children are also on tour, with tents and sleeping bags. Also noticeable: the proportion of biobikers is relatively high (which surprises me a little, maybe it's because of the average age). The majority does not belong to my faction, of course. By the way: I have my T-shirt 'Why do I ride without a battery? Because I can.' with me for 'going out'. People keep asking me about it...
It's just under 10 km from Havelberg to the confluence of the Havel and the Elbe. There are even two confluences because it was relocated after the war for flood protection reasons. Anyway, I'm on the Elbe Cycle Path now and therefore on or next to the dam (flood protection). You can see more from above, it's less windy down below. I switch between riding up there and down there. Udo Lindenberg comes to mind: 'We swam against the current and ran against the wind...', my earworm for today.
There are also many dragonflies to see today; yesterday I cycled through an area where they were flying around me, there were so many of them. Dragonflies are my favorite insects, the really big 'helicopters' are fascinating. In my garden, there is a small pond where 2 - 3 exuviae are found every year, when they transform from larva in the water to flying object. I always get excited when I discover the little blue or red ones. And the helicopters!
Wittenberge is quickly passed, I actually wanted to take a break there. But I'm back out so quickly that I don't turn back. Except for the largest freestanding clock tower in Germany, I haven't seen anything. Wittenberge calls itself the 'Gateway to the Elbe Valley', and the landscape lives up to the advertising promises. The Elbe is not a tamed waterway here, but has many tributaries with meadows and an incredible number of blooming flowers - it is really beautiful to ride through there, despite the headwind. Only when it's monotonously straight ahead, I notice my butt and my thighs.
I hold on until Dömitz, thanks to the bett&bike accommodations of the ADFC (we have been members for many years), a place to stay is quickly found. The first raindrops come at the front door. Well done, Achim!