Alytus

Even if it is hard to do - we have to leave the Trout lake and the nosy Moose since home and the coming up election are calling us back home.

Once the Buddha runs and is warmed up (we still have daily temps of 10 °C max and the old diesel needs some time until the heater works) we start our daily procedure: while Anke is doing her online English training I try to ride the bull and avoid the maximum bumps and still maintain an acceptable speed to get us ahead. Later on, whenever we have a mobile data connection Anke will start searching the internet for our next place to spend a night or two.

When it is time for lunch we sit down in some restaurant along the track, try to get a hint from the waitress which is the best meal today. The waitress suggests a special meal in good German and without further request we order two portions. We should have asked for more details, but the result (see picture) made at least Paula very happy and us a lot more careful for future orders. Over a desert and a coup of coffee and we start discussing Anke's search results .

We agree upon going to wonderfully described house not far to the "Meteliu Regioninis Parkas"

https://www.google.de/maps/place/Meteliai obser…

and Anke books the place online (due to short notice no refund possible).

In the afternoon we stop at a shopping mall and again are impressed how easy the people handle the daily Corona challenge. At the entrances of the Mall you have to prove that you are either vaccinated, tested or have recovered from Corona and shopping is possible without even wearing a mask (although many people still do so).

While we continue to head for the booked house Anke finds out she's made a mistake and that there are no dogs aloud. After a short discussion we decide to go there anyway and see if Paula can convince Landlord and Landlady that she is the most loveably hairy creature in this world.

As we get to the place we meet Günter (the Landlord first) and Anke tries to explain our challenge - but he just can't understand the problem. Naturally Paula is as welcome as we are and Günter's wife Eva agrees and welcomes with some sweets for the coffee break.

In a few words - we became friends quickly and while Anke has some time to relax I am totally absorbed by Günter who kindly asks for my support helping him to write messages to German private car sellers since the family wants to buy a Volkswagen Sharan Diesel. So, if you by any chance are selling a Sharan (or know someone who does) let us know and we'll inform Günter and his team.

Update: After our return we helped Günter to buy his desired Sharan.Read more