Basel

Our AirBnB host,  Pete,  very kindly offered to meet us at the border and guide us back to his place which took a lot of the stress away and allowed us to save time.  He was proud to treat us to a mini-tour of some of the interesting sights of his city on the way. This is the start of the navigable part of the Rhine where a Hydro-electric power plant has a convenient bike path across the river above it. 

 We watched the canal barge tanker,  Jessica, coming through the lock below us. It was empty and sitting high out of the water.

Pete took us across several bridges and to the Tinguely museum which has a fascinating moving fountain.














 

We enjoyed wandering through the old town and stopped at the Rathaus/City Hall which dominates the large square.

Underneath the main archway to the inviting courtyard,
frescoes and interesting ceiling decorations are everywhere.

We had some things to mail at the Post Office and looked up to see another unique piece of architecture.

Continuing around town,  we discovered what we learned is a very expensive boutique hotel. This man didn't fall off his perch while we were there... 

   

We found the gate to the old city. Crooked roof lines and old timbered houses add to the character and interest of the side streets.

This was advertised as a river view property, however we were delighted when we realized we were right at the water's edge.  We were also directly above the water-powered ferry, one of several in Basel that cross the Rhine river.  They are attached to cables, and one can be seen at the right edge of this photo, the ferries need no engine as they are powered by the force of the fast-moving water.  

Our room was in a 400 year old building with lovely furnishings and ancient beams supporting the structure.

 Basel has many fountains,  all the water is potable,  and they abound with symbolic decorations,  the flying dragon appearing on a great number of them.

There had been unusually cold and rainy weather for the last few weeks when it suddenly became summer and everyone rushed to "the beach"!  We boarded the ferry for a closer look.

The locals were all having a great time at the riverfront. Barbecuers,  sunbathers and swimmers were happy to have the warmth and the sunshine.

Another walk around Basel led us to the" Munster".  The ancient cathedral that was the center of power in the middle ages was built in the eleventh century. The interesting decoration below was added later.

The colors of the pinkish limestone shone brightly in the sunshine.

As we left the city the unusually high water became even more apparent.
Pete again saved the day by leading us out of the city and past several of the large factories. The hardest part of navigating on a bicycle is often getting into and out of the center city. Gaining the bicycle path in France we said our good byes to Pete with many thanks.