Day Two Thursday 21st July

A comfortable night was spent despite worries about the heat. I was glad that I had packed a spare duvet cover, which was all we needed to cover us. Thanks to my sister for the suggestion!
We tootled off late morning to see how far into Germany we could comfortably get. G has earned himself trillions of Brownie Points with two fantastic purchases before we left. The first a book, Camperstop Europe, which has proved excellent so far. It lists loads of small sites which take a certain number of campervans and means we can avoid paying for all the facilities we don't want or need, and crowded sites into the bargain. The sites listed range in cost from Free - mainly simple small hard standing areas - up to 15 euros or so a night depending on facilities offered. A bit like Certificated sites in the Uk, but for campervans. My eye was caught by one which involved parking in the Marktplatz of a small town, and had instructions to post payment through the Town Hall letterbox. The sites are not bookable in advance, and it is first come first served. An excellent departure from the rigours of booking ahead for big sites.
The second purchase was a European Sat Nav to enable us to find the sites. Entering the co-ordinates has worked so far to find very out of the way places, and we have enjoyed being able to get off the motorway and see a bit of countryside.
Tonight we are just southwest of Hamburg in a good sized very pretty wooded site with a lake and all the facilities we could ask for - apart from wi-fi! After sitting out for a while, we have had thunder, lightening, pouring rain and hailstones which have hopefully brought the temperature down a bit.
We have also had our first marinated herrings - first of many I suspect as they are a favourite of both of us - and some most beautiful strawberries from a stall in the town 10 minutes walk away, which G went to buy after we had pitched.
I have gathered my first - again of many no doubt  - batch of insect bites. I comfort myself with the knowledge that if I wasn't taking antihistamines they would certainly be worse than they are. And I am expecting them to be much worse in Scandinavia, where the mosquitoes are positively legendary, it seems. G is quite happy. They leave him alone when I am around. I am obviously much tastier.