Rothenburg
Kathe Wohlfahrt's christmas shop has the largest collection of decorations, which has to be seen. Photographs were not allowed but this picture is of a display just inside and all the characters move. We left our bikes outside fully loaded and went in. (Anyone wanting to cycle off with that load is welcome). I bought a tea-light in the shape of a reindeers head with a santa hat on, nothing too heavy to carry for the rest of the trip.

Rothenburg
Rothenburg ob der Tauber is the most picturesque and well-preserved of the towns along the famous 'Romantic Road.' It's the only walled city in Germany without a single modern building. Most of the buildings were built by 1400.

Reicholzheim
A beer festival was here for the weekend with a band. We listened to it whilst standing under a shop canopy sheltering from the rain, eating hotdogs in toasted baguettes, a familiar activity. Stayed at campsite for 2 nights catching up on the washing, which we hung in the wood shed on a makeshift line.

Tauberbischofsheim
844 miles so far!
Walked around old town and then stopped at Gasthof for lunch before continuing our journey along the river Tauber. Nigel bought largest tin of soup ever seen and a litre of milk which he carried for the next 20 miles (he had misread the distance we had to go) and it was now hot and humid. Saw nice chap at camp site, sorry no picture, wearing plastic hot pants, top, thong in pink and knee length boots camping in small van. Kept our distance!

Wertheim
Another old town with wooden framed buildings
Very hot day with temperature at 29c at 4p.m. Bought cold drinks continuously along the way and Nigel bought a 300ml tub of chocolate ice-cream, which was fortunate for him as I'm not too keen on it!

Lohr am Main
Campsite on edge of river.
Canoe paddling to beat of drum practising for canoe race.

Lohr Am Main
Camped nearby and were able to walk around old town with cobbled streets. Stayed for a couple of nights, catching up with washing and eating!

Near Sinntal

Hilly route along the river Sinn. We had cycled from between the hills in the valley.

Bronnzell
Getting wet leaving Bronnzell, crossing from the river Fulda to the Main.

Reiskirchen
After 3 weeks of varied standards of showers on campsites, some going off before finishing washing, I requested a bath at this hotel. The German translation was 'we have one with swirly bits' and was amazed to find a full size jacuzzi en-suite at no extra cost! Although it took ages to fill, it was pure luxury.

Limburg
Old city

Limburg
Old city

Limburg
Old city with wooden framed buildings. Walked to centre from campsite a short walk away.

Laurenburg
View from Laurenburg Castle of the route we had taken along the River Lahn.

Laurenburg
Inside Laurenburg Castle.

Laurenburg
We left the Lahn at Laurenburg and pushed the bikes uphill for a couple of miles coming across a Baroque Castle. It was locked but were allowed in by a key holder. The staircase wound up to the roof where we had views of the surrounding hills

Obernhof
The only wine village on the Lahn.

Obernhof resident!

River Lahn, Obernhof
View from campsite of cafe on opposite side of river which we visited whilst it was raining as it was the only place open! We were also the only one's camping!

River Lahn, Obernhof
Cycle path meandered through woods from the river to Arnstein church on top of the hill

Campsite at Nassau
Tractor and sheep wagon belonging to German couple who holiday in it, travelling a few miles per day. Shared picnic bench with them at breakfast, whilst drying out clothes from day before! They boiled us some water for coffee and shared the washing up!

On way to Bad Ems
Still getting wet even with rain covers on everything was soaked. Hadn't eaten much breakfast and found small bakers which served coffee which HAD to be drunk outside, her German was quite stern. So we stood outside in the pouring rain against the window with no shelter and had our cake with coffee, true British style. We were wet anyway!

River Lahn
Getting wet after leaving the Rhine and heading east

Koblenz old city
Koblenz's history goes back over 2,000 years. This heritage is particularly visible in the beautiful Old Town with its romantic little squares, winding streets, noble mansions, medieval burgher houses and beautiful old churches.

Koblenz old city
Sculpture fountain

Koblenz old city
The town is set amidst four ranges of hills, and two thirds of the surrounding countryside consists of woods, open green spaces or water. The Romans founded the town over 2,000 years ago, calling it "apud confluentes" or "at the confluence". Today, Koblenz is a "small city" with a lot to offer those interested in art and culture.

Koblenz
View from campsite at Koblenz where Rhine and Moselle meet. Campsite is where we stayed about 20 years ago with James when we backpacked by train across Holland and Germany and arrived here by ferry from Bonn!
Met Dutch couple cycling to Italy and Canadian family touring Europe for six months, not all by bike. Very hot for 3 days after mixed weather!

Rhine
Old lifting hoist

Rhine
Cycle path along Rhine (near Koblenz)

Rolandsbogen
Castle on hill
View from campsite on Rhine

Rolandsbogen
Cycle route along Rhine

Bonn
Nigel in 2 months time!

Bonn
The Bonner Münster (Bonn Minster) is a towering Romanesque basilica of harmonious proportions in Bonn, the former capital of West Germany. It stands on a site that has been sacred for 2,000 years, first as a Roman temple and then as a Christian church and shrine to the martyrs Cassius and Florentius.

Abenden
View from Nideggen castle. Route we had cycled along earlier.

Abenden
Nideggen Castle walled gate

Monschau
Old buildings overlooking river at Monschau. A very traditional German town with wooden framed houses.

GERMANY Monschau
Took scenic route stopping at Hockai, skiing area, for coffee and cake. I know we have climbed high when we come across a skiing area, there usually is one on our cycle route! But you need them for the views which are quite spectacular.
We continued through the Naturpark to the border and into Germany. 398 miles so far!

Bauche nr Yvoir, Belgium
Campsite. Scenic setting but a very cold night with my air bed going flat. Not much sleep!

Molignee, Belgium
Castle along the river. A scenic route the Belgium couple suggested we take, worth a visit!

Ham-S-Heure, Belgium

Belgium couple, Beth and Robert kindly allowed us to camp in their garden after telling us the local campsite had closed 5 years ago! Spent the evening with them drinking wine, watching the news in French and having conversations in French, German and English! Beth prepared a large breakfast for us all and a salad to take with us. Merci Beaucoup!

Tour of WWI war graves in Belgium

Angreau cemetery where Carol's Great Uncle, W.C.F. Whiddett (paternal side) is buried. Spoke to gardener who has tended the graves and the local school's garden for the past 10 years.
http://www.inmemories.com/Cemeteries/angreau.htm