Blogs from Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, Europe

Driving in the Rain.... We’re Driving in the Rain...... March 16 ,17 & 18, 2024 We wake up to the rooster crowing, well that’s what Kirsten says. I had my ears out, LOL. I roll out of bed and stumble into the shower; I hear Kirsten say hurry up I have today’s agenda planned. WHAT! I thought we were going to lay around and rest today? We were until the sun came out, now I have things for us to do. So, hurry up, breakfast is ready. I’m showered and dressed, eating my breakfast as Kirsten tells me about our day. First, were going to Brauhaus Kloster Machern. Where there is a museum that has Tour de France bicycle exhibit. OK, you’ve got my attention. Second, we’re going to the village Cochem wher... read more

Our second night aboard the Viking Magni was very comfortable. Our destination on the next day was Cologne. We had visited here before and had not booked any tours. Most of the other passengers alighted at Lons to do a walking tour of Cologne but we stayed on board. We happily read our books in the Lounge, watching the riverbanks slide by. By 12 most of the passengers had returned in time for lunch as we tied up just opposite the famous Cologne Cathedral. The weather was overcast and cool. We wondered where the hot summer had dissipated to, but we enjoyed our lunch on board. About 2-30 we decided to alight and see a little of the city. We were berthed near the huge Hollenzollern Bridge, on the opposite side of the river to the ... read more

Prologue: Forecast: 19C with showers from 8am until 12pm with local thunderstorms Destination: Koblenz Distance: 36kms Leave from Hotel at approx: 9am Approx arrival at Koblenz: 12pm (very conservative) Scene 1 Act 1 - The Beginning Since it's a short days ride and breakfast isn't served until 8am we take our time getting up and getting ready. Breakfast is OK without being grand but we did manage to grab a roll with meat and cheese to take with us for lunch. Scene 2 Act 1 - The Departure We load up the velos and head off in light drizzle which is likely to accompany us all day. First stop is the ferry to take us to the other side of the river, 1km down stream. Before we leave I decide to give my rear tyre a ... read more

July 14, 2023 – Wining through the Vineyards We wake up around 7 am its 60 degrees with very low humidity outside. The weather alone is worth the trip to Europe. Breakfast starts at 8 am so we shower and dress ready for our e-bike adventure. Downstairs we go and it 7:55 am and the door to breakfast area is being guarded by Helga, I casually walk by toward the front door exit ...all the time Helga is eyeing me. I’m standing out front of the hotel listening to the church bells ringing its 8 am, I turn around and look at Helga. She reluctantly opens the door and steps aside while giving me the eye. We find our place in the breakfast area, ok when staying in a Zimmer or hotel you are assigned a ... read more

Au centre de l'Allemagne - près du triangle autoroutier de Kirchheim après 390 km de la maison, mais 194 faits aujourd'hui, nous voici au camping qui n'ouvrira sa réception que dans plus d'une heure... alors que nous sommes passés devant ce qui semblerait être un temple... nous allons donc curioser ce qu'il s'y passe. Une dame toute habillée de jaune, qui nous dira par après s'appeler Sarita, nous propose de visiter l'endroit. Nous ne connaissons rien de ce qu'est un ashram... en voici une définition : dans l'Inde ancienne, l'ashram était considéré comme un lieu isolé, en général en retrait dans la montagne ou la forêt, dans lequel se retirait un sage pour s'unir à Dieu dans une démarche solitaire. Cela existe donc aussi en Allemagne... et nous sommes tout à côté. Sarita nous propose de ... read more