The first 100 km

Are done! Wow.
We met my brother in law and his GF at Ťuttlingen from where they will accompany us for the weekend.

The stretch between Tuttlingen and Sigmaringen is exceptionally beautiful. It could be a part of the Ardeche or Tarn valley in France. Including the ups and downs of the trail. Steep. Manifold.

All day the rainclouds were chasing us. At noon we lunched at Jägerhaus.
There the rain caught us.
We didn't care because - well - we were having lunch.

Lesson learned: do NOT have an ample meal when there is still a track ahead!
All blood in my tummy, none left in the legs and the steepest rises still to come.

OH MY...

Arrived dry and well
60 km
Mostly cloudy
Some rain
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On the road

Yesterday we took the train to Donaueschingen.
We left earlier than planned -which turned out to be a good idea: the train stopped unexpectedly and all had to exit because our destination station was closed due to a large fuel spill.

Anyway, once we reached Donaueschingen we decided to immediately start and so we endend up on the Immendingen cyclist-camping.

Quite a nice spot with friendly staff.  Apart from an unexpected stop due to a closed track all went smoothly.

And because of that, we directly hit the road, heading for Immendingen. Arrived at the biker's camp early enough to dine there and have a beer or two.

In the night my inflatable pillow gave up on me. Argh.

The Donauversickerung was far from being dry. Due to high water-levels the only hint at this specatcle was a sign.


37 km
Mostly cloudy
NO RAIN 😆

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.

***

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.