Main Road to Bamberg

Friday 27th June

Day 16, 675 miles done.

As we continue on our way along the 'Main Radweg', we have passed through the Franconian wine country and it's attractive weinguts and villages. It's a pity we couldn't sample any...neither of us would be up to riding after a glass of wine; coffee and cake is enough to give us searing 'café legs' as we get going again!

Campsites continue to elude us, so we have resorted to B&B hotels and Italian restaurants...Andy is beginning to look like a pizza!

At present, we are in Bamberg,  a world heritage site with some really beautiful old buildings like the old town hall built in the 14th century...and the traditional beer keller where we are heading to now...!

From Rhine to Main!

Monday 23rd June '14

Day 12, 520 miles done.

We are now enjoying our first proper rest day on a really good campsite in Bettingen, on the banks of River Main. It was great to have a lie in until 8 o'clock this morning, instead of letting the air out of our Thermarest mats at 7!

After admiring the scenic banks of the Rhine, with so many majestic castles perched high up on rocky outcrops, we arrived in Koblenz, the end of this stage of our tour, last Thursday. A photo was called for, to mark the occasion,  under the watchful eye of Kaiser Wilhelm! 

Since then, we have found that the further we go along River Main, the better it gets, perhaps as we leave the cities and suburbs behind. Until now, accommodation has not been easy as campsites have not seemed to cater for the humble tent and hotels have been few and far between. We did end up in a small room above an Italian restaurant for 50€ including breakfast, one night!. However, there are now plenty of cycle tourists enjoying the pretty villages and countryside on this section of the river, so things are looking up!

Through Dusseldorf to Cologne

It was sad to leave the Netherlands on Monday as we have enjoyed experiencing their cycling culture, pleasant countryside and way of life, but no doubt we will appreciate Germany's qualities too!
As we crossed the Netherlands, I was intrigued by the numerous bags we saw suspended from flagpoles...what do they signify? Apparently, the resident student has passed their exams!
We have now left the LF13a behind and are following  Eurovelo 15 along the Rhine. Tonight, we are treating ourselves to a room in one of Cologne's youth hostels (better than many hotels ) and have spent the afternoon taking in the city sights. We also visited the amazing outdoor shop, Globetrotter,  which is huge and includes a basement pool for trying out their canoes!

Zeebrugge to Hilvarenbeek

14th June '14
Day 3, 136 miles done.
Enjoying perfect cycling weather (av 20 degrees) as we cross the pastoral and forested countryside of the Netherlands, on well signed, mostly traffic free routes. The campsites have all had great facilities and have been spotlessly clean so far, as we have come to expect from cycle touring in Europe.
The inner tube on my back wheel exploded on our first day and now I have had to have the tyre replaced, as it had developed a bulge apparently.  We are nevertheless keeping it as a spare tyre...Andy is going to carry it as I've already got one!

Prague here we come!

Wednesday 11th June '14
On the waterfront in Hull.
After lunch at the Minerva, a lovely traditional English pub, we are all ready for the ferry to Zeebrugge, the start of our trip.