Riding in the Rhine

Having left the sophistication of Strasbourg, we started through the drizzly countryside to our next destination. Without a picnic lunch, we found food and shelter at a campground before carrying on...   Grated cheese,  hard boiled eggs and pink sausages are not exactly chosen items on a plant-based diet,  but the bread and cucumbers were good.  We had ordered a mixed salad from the menu and this was what arrived :)

 In the next quaint village, we found a 2,000 year old log on display.

While waiting for a ferry to cross the Rhine, we met a fellow who thought we were the funniest sight he'd ever seen. Could he be right?  Our yellow tandem and yellow rain jackets, added to the insanity of riding 1380 kilometres, made him double up and reel around with laughter.

Once aboard,  he insisted on taking our photograph with Sal's phone camera which was obviously a new experience for him.  He simply could not hold it straight or keep his fingers away from the lens, but at least he didn't drop the phone!

His hilarity was contagious,  and all the passengers joined in.

We had soon crossed the rain-filled river and opted for the path near the Rhine.

After some more wet days,  the river had started to burst it's banks but, after seeing some intrepid souls approaching from the other direction, we carried on. At last the inevitable happened and we had to pedal cautiously through the water.

Here we looked back in disbelief at the underwater path and decided we had ridden in the the Rhine!! 

We encountered two sections or the Rhine Route that were in the River each lasting about half a mile in length only the other riders coming in the other direction gave us the confidence to continue our ride through the muddy water sometimes four inches deep.

Elsewhere we were fortunate to find the cycle path high and dry on the dike.  The beautiful scenery and wild life along the path made it all worth while.

Another ferry ride across the Rhine this time on an unusual ferry,  one with out an engine.

The ferry was tethered to a cable strung across the river and only the river current propelled it across to the other side.

We took a side road near a lovely riding school, and enjoyed lunch nearby in a pleasant cafe.