The new rack :)

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Bicycle - Danube, here we come!

Looks like our bikes are ready for the tour along the German Danube. Peter got a new rear-wheel due to a wrecked bearing and broken spokes
Luckily we found a rack that fits a fully AND can bear some serious weight, so the plan stands: cycling and camping.
The adventure starts directly at home because we will take the train to our starting location.
Well who would've thought that we would ever take a train without being forced? ?? Seems my daily commute is not traumatizing enough.

Stay tuned!

K-9 Mail

Fontoliere & Chateau Ventadour

We decided to spend the meager rest of our vacation in France (no surprise here) to give us a breather from the taxing duties of arranging a funeral.

We endet up at Meyras at upper Ardeche where they hold a whitewater-get together on the 3rd weekend of September, called Fontoliere. Awesome shots we took as it was too difficult a course for us to participate ourselves.

Spectacular performances with and w/o paddles. It's a bit like a tiny festival with spectators sitting at the Ventadour-rapid, applauding each paddler who mastered the drop.

Peter no longer likes his boat (Pyranha karnali) because 75% of said model capsized. Yet they do roll so easily, it doesn't matter, i I'd say.

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This morning we spent visiting chateau Ventadour which is being re-created by students and volunteers since the 70s.
Stumbling upon a student, we were given a marvelous tour by a him. Initially we were afraid of being chased away because it still is under construction. Even more delightful was the experience. Go there, leave some cash and be impressed!

... but then, maybe not...

The loss of a close and loved family-member on the day we arrived in Slovakia, had us leave immediately again.

We will return someday.

Slovakia, here we come!

This time, we'll be exploring new territories: the wild east, starting with a visit to Slovakia.

Biking and hiking in the Tatra mountains and the Slovakian Paradise.

We are not so sure about the situation of camp-grounds because rumor has it that camping is no longer en vogue in Slovakia. well, we will find out and let you know.

This weekend we will spend in Budweis, Czech Republic, where our VfL-kayaking team will hopefully give yet another great performance in white-water kayak slalom at the finals of this year's ECA Junior-Cup. Of course we need to go there and cheer them along.

A Monster?

Was it a monster that left those tracks on Soonwaldsteig this Sunday? Or was it only an angry Wahli?
The latter is unlikely because the weather was so fine that day. All of November was so dull and dark, this sunny day had us out on the open right after breakfast.
We hit the trail at Ellerspring summit. Looked romantic enough for us to decide to give it a longer visit next time :-)

Meyrueis - Fete de St. Michel

driving the RV to Meyrueis was the slowest drive so far. I hardly managed to get into 4th gear, so steep and curvy was the road. Nevertheless, the landscape was worth the drive! I was going around the causse, while Peter rode the motorbike across it. I had the better scenery :)

The last Sunday in September is dedicated to the Fete (Fair, Feast, Celebration) of St. Michel.

Unknowingly we arrived there just in time to participate. On this day, the Lozere-Region carries all culinary declicacies it has to offer up to Meyrueis.
Bread and cakes from many bakeries
Chestnuts in all forms, mashed, boiled, in bread, in Sausages
Sausages - oh, so yummy! Wonderful Chorizo, raw hams and other dried sausages, mainly made of porc. Extremely delicious.
Cheese. OMG. So many kinds of cheese.

All restaurants are open and offer buffets, special menus and, and, and.

The whole village is part of the Fete.

After a frist stroll we bought dried raw ham, goat's cheese and bread and went up to the Causse (the high plateau) where we had a fantastic local lunch with vultures circling above us in the sun.

natural table a la Causse. Notice the Opinel-knife :)

The afternoon we drove the tiniest road to Nants via Treves and the Trevezelle-canyon.

On our way we came across Cantobre, an ancient village perched on a rock like an eagle's nest. Very lovely!