There’s thunder and lightning and pouring rain when we leave Paris at 9 am but after 3 hours driving east, the weather improves immensely and  by the time we reach Germany, it’s an incredible 31°C and the sky is an intense blue. Now, that’s what I call holiday weather!

We come round a bend and see a shining white bulb that turns out to be the cathdral of Zwiefalten completed in 1750. We have a cold drink at the bar opposite and visit the beautiful baroque interior just before it closes at 6 pm. It reminds us of the first time we saw a rococco interior in Germany. It was the Pilgrimage Church of Wies at the foothill of the Alps and we walked for hours up a hill. It was very plain from the outside, but the inside was extraordinary.

The village itself is very pretty and peaceful, especially with its little stream.

After checking into Gasthof Sonne (sonne means sun) in Andelfingen, we change into cycling clothes and head for the Danube by car. We picnic before setting off on our bikes. We’re delighted to be in holiday mode so soon.

We pass several villages with their clean white houses and church spires along the path.

We’re amazed at the number of crosses along the way as well, often next to picnic tables.

Fifteen kilometers later, we arrive at Mengen, a quaint little town with a tall spire, many colourful half-timbered houses, one of which was built in 1596.

They have a number of very large storks on the buildings which intrigues us. Many of the shop windows also have dummies dressed as soldiers in traditional garb, including a a surprising Beefeater but I stupidly forget to take a photo.

By the time we start on our way back, the light is waning and we reach the car just before it gets dark. As soon as we open the door to Gastof Sonne, we are greeted by welcome coolness. One thing I did not worry about when booking our accommodation was air conditioning and I was afraid we were in for a sleepless night! We need to be fit for tomorrow’s 40 K!

OTHER POSTS ABOUT CYCLING IN GERMANY

Cycling in Germany – Tips & Tricks

Cycling in Germany #1 – Kobern-Gondorf on the Moselle

Cycling in Germany #2 – Rhine from Saint Goar to Lorch

Cycling in Germany #3 – Cochem to Zell on the Moselle

Cycling in Germany #4 – Koblenz where the Moselle meets the Rhine

Cycling in Germany #5 – Bad Schaugen to Pirna along the Elbe

Cycling in Germany #6 – Bastei Rocks, Honigen and over the border to Czech Republic 

Cycling in Germany #7 – Dresden: accommodation & car trouble and Baroque Treasure  

Cycling in Germany #8 – Dresden Neustadt: Kunsthof Passage, Pfund’s Molkerei, a broom shop & trompe l’oeil

Cycling in Germany #9 – Country roads around Niderlommatzsch on the Elbe

Cycling in Germany #10 – Meissen on the Elbe

Cycling in Germany #11 – Martin Luther Country: Torgau on the Elbe

Cycling in Germany #12 – Martin Luther Country: Wittenberg on the Elbe

Cycling in Germany #13 – Wörlitz Gardens and the beginning of neo-classicism in Germany

Cycling in Germany #14 – Shades of Gaudi on the Elbe: Hundertwasser

Cycling in Germany #15 – Turgermünde, the prettiest village on the Elbe

Cycling in Germany #16 – Celle & Bremen

Cycling in Germany #17 – Windmills & Dykes

Cycling in Germany #18 – Painted façades from Hann. Münden to Höxter

Cycling in Germany #19 – Bernkastel on the Moselle: a hidden treasure

Cycling in Germany #20 – Trier & the Binoculars Scare

 

Cycling along the Danube – A Renaissance festival in Neuburg, Bavaria

Cycling along the Danube – Watch out for trains!

Cycling along the Danube – Regensburg & Altmuhle

Cycling along the Danube –  The Weltenburg Narrows

Cycling along the Danube – from its source to Ehingen

Cycling along the Danube – Ehingen to Ulm

Cycling along the Danube – Singmarigen to Beuron

Cycling along the Danube – Binzwangen to Mengen including  Zwiefalten

Eurovelo 6 – Cycling around Lake Constance

Eurovelo 6 – Moos to Stein am Rhein and Steckborn on Lake Constance

Heading home to France after a month’s cycling holiday