We got up pretty early. Sun was rising at 5 and so were we. On towards the big lock “Lehnitz”. A little nervous because of many stories how it can be quite chaotic mixed with commercial ships. Operated rarely because summers in Germany get dryer and dryer and the headwater of the channel is barely sustained. Though when it finally opened, it went smooth and I’d say we were a little proud. This lock lifts you up I think 12 meters. So after the lift you are on kind of a landscape plateau and it is like riding on a ridge looking down into the landscape from a ship – pretty special. The next lock was the Schiffshebewerk Niederfinow. Not less spectacular this is more or less an elevator for ships. Amazing engineering. And then we were half way, stop in Oderberg – an apparently famous marina along the way. The harbor master was the funny type and was basically helping arriving ships, checking in people into the included hotel, was doing the drinks and service and…. Yeah he was doing it all – on his folding bike by the way. Go there, he is an experience of its own. Bennis parents were there and mine joined in from Wannsee. My Mum even took the ride from the last lock to Oderberg. We had some food some drinks. I think it was the first time our parents met.
