June 23, 2018

We decided to have breakfast at the campsite. An excellent omelette with ham, cheese and tomatoes. It kept us going all day.

We were about to leave when our “next door” neighbour approached us and started chatting. He was really interesting and told us how they were trying to convert Stuttgart from a Car City to a Bike City, they had regular critical mass rides. I do not necessarily agree with critical mass rides. If everyone shared the road as opposed to taking the road, we could all be safer. We told him about Portland and he said that was one city he wanted to visit.

One of the things we have noticed since being in Europe is the amount of e-bikes there are. He told us that in Germany there has always been a “perk” or a “tax” break in the way of company cars. The companies are now getting the same “tax” break for e-bikes. They are giving e-bikes as tax breaks – a 5000 euro e-bike and the new owner only has to pay the lease of 30 euro per month.

An easy ride to Lahr today, we followed the Rhine to Meisenheim and then followed the farm roads to Lahr.

We spotted this small lizard, but I think it might be a skink

Meisenhiem has some very old buildings and one very new modern Rathaus -City Hall. The new City hall is surrounded by a high fence, I wonder why. Why on earth would they build something like this in a traditional Black Forest Village. I don’t dislike the building, I don’t like where it is located.

As we cycled out of Meisenheim we were reminded why storks are important in this area.  Considering how many storks we have seen there should be a population explosion in this area.

I recognized this local land mark. The guys used to call it “Tit Hill” – It was the only hill in the area that has a small clump of trees on the top!!

We had a cycle around the old airfield and tried to recognize where places used to be. There are a lot of new warehouse buildings and the area is unrecognizable.

We are staying in a hostel called the Europa Inn. We think it was the old EuropaHof! The form we had to fill in to register threw me straight back to being a D/W a Dependant Wife!! The form asked for “accompanying spouses name”.

The bikes are cleaned, shopping has been done, I have sent some requests for warmshowers and we have looked at the route along the Danube.

Germany won at soccer against Sweden and the Town is celebrating. We are looking forward tomorrow to spending time looking around Lahr and going to the Schutterzel Muhle for flammkuchen.

On Monday we head east, we will have some hills to go over before reaching Villengen Schwenigen.