Off into the wilds of the Black Forest

In the words (almost) of Captain Oats .... "I'm just going off into the Black Forest .... I may be some time. After today I'm hoping to do a few days going around small towns and villages in the forest betweem Mainz and Heidelberg (Steph will remember the eagle we saw when we went in the area) I's all off the main cycle route and I doubt if I'll be able to find any of these internet cafes .... so I'll probably be 'off radar' for a few days. The weather is still really hot and sunny, but the forecast is for rain in the next day or two. Hope it doesn't was away my tan ... coz at the moment I am, quite simply, a Sun-bronzed Adonis !!

A few notes on cleanliness

Well it's been almost three weeks on the road now, and obviously cleanliness is an important issue. Without even noticing grime, can build up in those 'difficult-to reach' areas and (without going into graphic detail) you can imagine the damage a bit of 'rubbing' can cause to more delicate areas ... consequently, today I gave my bike a thorough wash and clean and re-lubed the chain and gears!!
At the moment I'm in a place called St Goar on the Rhine, right across from the Lorelei Rock .. where a beautiful blonde river nymph is supposed to sing, and lure unsuspecting sailors to their doom. I was in the pub last night watching Bayern v Lyon so I must have missed her performance, cos it was all quiet when I went back to my tent!

Attacked in the night !

Everything was going so well until last night. There I was ... all tucked up in my sleeping bag, fast asleep when next thing .... there's goings on in my awning! Armed with my torch and spare tent pole I made an angry snarl (in as deep a voice as I could manage) and undid the zip ... Disaster ... A sodding fox had got in. Before I could blink, the little bugger only did a runner with all my sausages!! (That guy who cycled down the Americas didn't have to put up with that did he?!) As you can imagine, knowing how much I like my sausages, at the moment I'm feeling distraught and violated!!

Back to the Rhine

After another day down the Moselle, I decided I'd seen (and spent) enough. It's all about 20% dearer than back on the Rhine. So today I've had a BIG day and cycled all the way back to Koblenz ...about 85km. It's been very hot again but I think that it might turn thundery. That's another reason for puttig in a few extra miles today ... at least the tent is up and I intend having the day off tomorrow whether it rains or not! Not much else to say .... cos today I've been going back over old ground ... just on the opposite side of the river than on the way down. Apparently the Morris Men have been out and about today ... hope they saved some beer for the locals !
Off for a couple of beers myself right now ... I'm ready for it after today!

Down the Moselle

We are talking a different scale of 'tweeness' altogether here ... the Moselle is the Rhine's chic little sister ... it's Lisa to the Rhine's Bart! There's obviously a lot of 'Old Money' here too ... sort of place where the Millers and Kellys would fit right in! - except only the poor people drive BMWs the rich of course, drive Mercs ... and the really rich old Counts (got the spelling right) who live in the castles overlooking each town get their manservants to drive them.

I'm about 125km down the river now heading South. I'll probably go as far as a place called Trier on the border with Luxembourg and then head back to Koblenz and pick up the Rhine again.

PLAN B
Decided rather than hang around in Koblenz, then other places along the Rhine/Danube, waiting for Christmas (and Doz, John and Julie), I'm going to set off maybe tomorrow up the Moselle towards Luxembourg. It's an extra couple of hundred km but at least I'll be on the move again. I ought to get back on the original route by mid May which still gives me enought time to get to Ulm.
There was this odd greyish thing in the sky today - not seen one since I left the UK! Then it started raining for an hour or so. The forecast says it's only for today, then back to sunshine, in fact it has cleared up already. The wind has dropped right off too so it should be a nice few days on the Moselle ... apparently they do a nice brand of wine there too- it's going to be hard work forcing myself off the beer, but I suppose I'll just have to grit my teeth.
Well I've got to dash - there's a pub/restaurant around the corner that has a 'Happy Hour' on drink AND food - everything half price .... so I'm treating myself to 12oz rump with all the trimmings for 7.75Euros ... it has to beat the cheese and ham pasta I cooked for myself last night !

Remagen!! narrow streets ... lots of bars ... lots of tourists ... and obviously - lots of thieving bastards. Had my camera nicked. Not so bothered about the camera - its all my pics from Holland etc. I'm further down the Rhine now in Koblenz and found a second hand shop to get a fresh one cheap. I've decided to have a few days here - the campsite is just across the river from the 'Old' Town - free hot water got its own little bar and restaurant and 8.50Euros a night. I hope you're all managing to read these 'updates' without nodding off through boredom! I know Steve will be waiting for the first 'disaster' but I'm sorry to disappoint ... there's just not a lot to say except it's bloody brilliant !!

Need More Sun Lotion !

Cant believe this weather - it must be well in the 80s, the wind has gone and I'm in shorts and T-shirt. The miles have been flying by and I#m going to have to slow down or I'll be in Ulmabout a month before Doz, John and Julie arrive. Today, after a really leisurely get up, I tootled 20km down the cycle path to Remagen (they had a bridge here til we blew it up ... whatever I do I mustn't mention Fawty Towers !!) I'ts another of those beautiful little towns - narrow streeets, bars etc (you get the picture ...) so I'm going to have another day here, and go down to Koblenz tomorrow. I here all the flights are still grounded because of this volcano ... glad I'm on a bike !

Well, its taken me a while to get this blog going - but finally I've found one nof these internet cafes that are supposed to be everywhere!
Day One - Was a big day - about 90 km to get through Rotterdam. Got to a place in the middle of nowhere where EVERYTHING was closed cos it was Sunday. The pubs would have been closed too if there had been any pubs - but in Ottoland the Amish are alive and praying.
Day Two -Got a really early start - weather is great (bit nippy but sunshine) did 66km into a bloody strong headwind and arrived near a place called Zaltbommel.
Day Three - Tried to find a place to camp in Nijmegen but had to go about 8km out of town - found a fantastic little place good campsite - free hot showers and a pub and nice restaurant in the village! I'm only 3km away from the German border.
Day Four- Still battling Eastwards against a strong NNE wind. At least it is fine and sunny and it is starting to warm up. There have been some nice towns along the way particularly Kleve and Kalkar
Day Five
Cycled early doors the 45km to Rheinberg and got to the station by 10am. Caught the train to bypass the industrial Duisberg/Dusseldorf area and got into Cologne mid affy. Found a cheap Hotel in the town centre and went out on the razzle (well I had a couple of beers and a Wienerschnizel)
I've taken loads of pics but you`ll have to wait til I get back cos I cant work this computer thingy!

Setting off tomorrow. All the panniers are packed and the bike is ready. A big thanks to everyone who have wished me well, and I hope you'll all follow my progress on this blog.