Last day on the Mosel so a cycle up river to Ellenz for coffee and apple Strudel with ice cream. On the way we came across a bike shop and decided to try and get some new German style handle bars for easier riding, but we ended up getting a Bicycle Stem Raiser Extender Head Up Handlebar Raiser it raised the handle bars by 3 inches giving us a straighter back for riding, works great.
On the cycle we noticed these small units for transporting the grapes off the steep slopes of the valley.
Cycle again into Cochem then down to Klotten. Coffee and cake in a lovely Backerie, then caught the ferry across and then cycled up the other side of the Mosel.
After a spot of lunch cycled back into Cochem and walked up to the Burg.
Lovely drive through the hills, although a first for us got stick behind a Danish cycle team training in the hills (for 2 miles). Arrived at the site lunchtime, good pitch near the river. Had some lunch then did a bit of shopping, then cycled into the town.
Difficult journey up to outskirts of Frankfurt, 3 hours and had difficulty in the forests and narrow roads looking for campsite. No phone signal and satnav started playing up so abandoned search and headed for Boppard.
Castle on the Rhine
After a five hour travelling day arrived at a very busy campsite but were given a good pitch and have settled in quite well. After a very late lunch got the bikes out and explored the area between here and St. Goar – a 2 hour cycle.
Castle on the Rhine
Next day bikes out again and cycled down to Boppard town to get some bread for lunch. Did some washing and removed our fly collection from the front of the van. After lunch cycled up to Rhens.
Monday did a bit of washing then cycled to Koblenz – 40 kms – wow. Stopped at a lovely bar next to the river for a couple of extra large Fantas – we needed it. Had some lunch back at the campsite and after a rest cycled to Boppard, this time only 10 kms. Sat by the Rhein people and boat watching.
Rhens
Tuesday did some machine washing with all the big stuff then just the short cycle to Boppard for some bread for tea.
28 – 29 June 2018 Camper Berger Cologne
Difficult drive down the motorways are busy and this was an unrestricted speed limit road. Arrived lunch time and cycled down the side of the Rhine into Cologne. Good afternoon looking at the sights it’s so easy cycling as bikes are allowed in the precincts. Got lots of info from passing guides.
Next day cycle again into Cologne for a cycle in the back streets a fab day. Cycled up the side of the Rhine in the afternoon in the other direction, gosh HOT.
Difficult drive down the motorways are busy and this was an unrestricted speed limit road. Arrived lunch time and cycled down the side of the Rhine into Cologne.
Good afternoon looking at the sights it’s so easy cycling as bikes are allowed in the precincts. Got lots of info from passing guides.
Next day cycle again into Cologne for a cycle in the back streets a fab day. Cycled up the side of the Rhine in the afternoon in the other direction, gosh HOT. Its not birds you need to worry about pooing on your windows see below.
Cycle day again followed 3 cycle routes to get us to The Botanical Gardens. What a lovely day out, the greenhouse was spectacular with walkways up in the air to look down on the forest of trees. The lilly pads were at their best.
The castle was open for a walkabout with an exhibition on. We then walked around the grounds and stopped for a cold drink.
Click Image for LARGER
On the way back stopped for a look in the Basilica in Grimbergen.
Bus into city today for a look around. Went into the cathedral although we have visited it before. Still think this cathedral is very interesting.
Had a coffee in the main square. On our walk around the streets we are amazed how the Mannekin Pee attracts so many people? Whilst in the square we saw a chip van giving free pommes frites and the queue was so long it went all the way to Ghent and not a Yorkshire man in sight!!!!
Busy drive down arrived early. Bikes out and cycled down to one of the most spectacular sights in Brussels. Only 1/2 hour cycle from campsite on cycle paths FAB.
Out on the Bikes this morning for a cycle up into Damme what an interesting morning.
Coffee then a visit to look round an actual working windmill a chat to the guy looking after it for the day and a donation got us a lovely chart of all the windmills in Belgium and a comic Suske en Wiske (see link) Suske en Wiske that had some info in the story about forts used in the area during the 800 year war. Then cycled into Bruge again then back to the site.
17 years 150000 miles of European Travel through 16 Counties
