TUESDAY, 22nd AUGUST ; LOHR to KARLSTADT

Going down the stairs to the garage where the bikes slept last night. we spotted this photo of Wave Rock in Hyden and wondered why it was there.

After breakfast and before leaving Lohr, we went for a little ride to the river to take photos of the Old Bridge 

and the new

(The bikes are so much lighter to handle without the bags on board!)  As it was not a very long ride today, we didn't leave Lohr until about 9a.m., with regular rest and photo stops.  The mornings are generally cool until about 11a.m. when things start heating up and the hottest part of the day is around 4-5p.m.  The temperature hasn't gone higher than 32 since we've been here so not super hot but being out in the open for a few hours with the sun beating down on us is rather tiring and we need to slather on the suncream to avoid becoming toasted.  We're loving the ride though, it's just the last few kms each day that can become a bit of a trial.  We've ridden more than halfway of the journey now and looking forward to the remainder, as from all accounts it is the most scenic and there is much to see.

A little inlet off the river where boats are moored

Gemunden

We stopped in Gemunden to visit the very busy bakery/cafe and sat outside in the shade to enjoy our coffee and strawberry sponge slice....superb!  While there, a drinks truck arrived and we were fascinated when the side panel slid up, like a garage door, a step slid out and the driver started unloading.  He'd obviously done it before!

In Gemunden, a very pretty town

A map of part of the route we are taking

Finding a bench seat under a tree, we stopped for a while, a train went past as did a couple from Brisbane, who, on seeing the flags on our bikes, stopped to say g'day.  They are riding along the same route we are taking though in the opposite direction.  We chatted for a while and shared some stories before wishing each other well and going our separate ways.

Not long after, we arrived in Karlstadt, tonight's overnight stop.  Our room was not ready so we weren't  able to check in until later.  We decided to catch a train into Wurzburg for a couple of hours and our host was happy for us to leave the bikes and bags at the hotel while we did so.  He had his 4 year old grandson Alessandro staying with him, he was 'helping' his grandmother hose the garden, he and Mike had some fun.

Karlstadt Station 

It was a 20 minute train ride into Wurzburg, we walked a kilometre from the station towards the river, stopped for cold drinks in a cafe/beer garden, then took a tram ride for the rest of the way.

The Old Bridge

which has a wine shop where a glass of wine can be purchased for consumption on the bridge.  In 2013 we met a German couple, Joachin and Evi, in Italy and they invited us to visit them, which we did, staying overnight in our motorhome parked at their home. Joachin brought us here, becoming our tour guide and introducing us to the delights of Wurzburg.  

In Wurzburg

Back in Karlstadt, our room was ready and so we settled in, had showers and strolled along the main street in search of a place to eat.  It was quite late by this time and half the cafes/bars/restaurants in the town were closed (Tuesday ruhetag) and those open for business were full with no spare tables.  We were caught again!  Luckily, we eventually found a hotel restaurant, away from the main street where we were able to have a meal.  Struggling a little to understand the menu, a young man at the opposite table kindly offered to help us,  He spoke very good English, had spent 5 months in Australia 10 years ago and we had a very interesting conversation with him and his colleague, who had also been Down Under.

It's been a satisfying but tiring day, I think we'll sleep well tonight!