We drove and drove, through Holand into Gremany and stopped for the night near Mainz.
We found a friendly camp site in the Nohe valley wine area, so we had to try the local produce. After the first bottle it became obvious this was too good a place to rush away from.
We booked in for an extra night and spent Thursday cycling up the Nohe valley. It was fascinating county with vineyards, castles, towerimg cliffs, quaint old spa towns and best of all , some hills to cycle up .
The Rotenfele cliffs-spectacular but loose
I have to, in the interest of historic accuracy, record a non proven verdict on the 400 meters we climbed. There was a small majority of the view that the hills were a nasty shock after Holland . The alternative view, that it was pleasant to change the pace and grind out a couple of mile in a low gear, was held by a significant minority. But we did it and got back in one piece.
Other noteable discoveries were the salines. These are huge walls of brush wood dripping with mineral water from the spa. The idea is that you sit in the spray to absorb its bemefical propertoes. They were very refresihing to cycle by, but dont think they cured any of our many ailments.
There was also a very impressive exhibition of stone sculptures.
We are now in Argentier looking at the snowy peaks. The family has arrived so the pace has changed . More later.
Fiona at the top of a hill
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| Saline -wall of dripping brush wood |
Stone sculpture park
German vineyard and castles- what not to like
Picturesque Bad Kreuznach
