The next morning, I had the inner tube replaced at a bicycle repair shop. After just ten kilometres, the new tube had another puncture. Fortunately, there was a railway station nearby, so I took the train straight to Szczecinek (Neustettin). After having the tube replaced again at a repair shop, I cycled around Lake Trzesiecko (Streitzigsee). The town has excellent tourist facilities. The lakeside is naturally the nicest place to be.
The next day, I changed my original plan and followed the railway line more closely so I could take the train if necessary. The route led through beautiful forest and lake country. The Bory Tucholskie (Tucheler Heide) National Park is nearby, and I skirted its edge. My next hotel was right by Lake Charzykowskie in Charzykowy (Müskendorf). The lake is picturesquely framed by pine forests. I liked it very much here. If I return to this area, I would explore the Bory Tucholskie National Park more thoroughly, especially from here.
From Charzykowy, I rode through dense forests again to Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard). I got another flat at one point, but this time I repaired it myself. Some stretches of forest were very remote, and I hardly met any other cyclists. At first, there was a very well-paved “fire road”, called a droga pożarowa in Polish. Such roads are common in Polish forests: they are specially built and numbered forest tracks, intended mainly for fire-fighting and forestry vehicles. Many are covered with fine gravel, while some sections are pure sand.
One stretch deep in the forest was particularly unusual. I could only work out the route from my navigation device or the signs, because there was no visible path at all.
Starogard Gdański was also largely destroyed during the war. Today, historic buildings survive only in a few places in the city centre.
Photos for Part 2
Forest track in the morning – Złocieniec (Falkenburg in Pomerania)Historic buildings in Szczecinek (Neustettin)Lakeshore – Szczecinek (Neustettin)Town hall on the market square in Szczecinek (Neustettin)Old Town – Szczecinek (Neustettin)Historic townhouses in the city centre – Szczecinek (Neustettin)Lakeshore – Szczecinek (Neustettin)Lakeside scenery – Szczecinek (Neustettin)View across the lake from the promenade – Szczecinek (Neustettin)Stream and remains of an old bridge in the forest – Gwda MałaNarrow river in the forest – Gwda MałaWayside cross at the edge of the forest – Czarne (Hammerstein)Old brick building beside the village road – ŁożaConcrete slab road through meadows near ŁożaForest road near ŁożaSandy track at the edge of the forest near ŁożaStreet scene in the centre – Człuchów (Schlochau)Imposing building with flower beds in Człuchów (Schlochau)Stork's nest beside the road – NieżywięćSmall pond among the trees – NieżywięćForest track through the pine woods – NieżywięćBoats in the lakeside harbour – Charzykowy (Müskendorf)View across Lake Charzykowskie – Charzykowy (Müskendorf)Sailboats in the marina at Charzykowy (Müskendorf)Lakeside promenade – Charzykowy (Müskendorf)Sunset over the lake – Charzykowy (Müskendorf)Forest road beneath tall pines – PowałkiWell-paved fire road through the pine forest – ZbeninyCovered rest area at the edge of the forest – Duża KloniaAsphalt road through the pine forest – Duża KloniaForest track through a remote woodland – ChłopowyPine forest and sandy track – OdryForest clearing – OdryInformation sign – OdryOdrySandy forest road near OdryWinding road through the forest near OdryRailway station building – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Street scene – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Old Town square with a view of the church tower – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Brick church on the historic market square – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Historic town hall on the market square – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Historic townhouses on the market square – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Ornate gabled houses on the market square – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Town hall and market square – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Brick façade in the city centre – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Historic view of the city centre on an information board – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)Kotlet de volaille, also known as Chicken Kyiv: breaded chicken fillet with a filling – Starogard Gdański (Preußisch Stargard)
