GERMAN RIVERS: Schweigen-Rechtenbach to Gemserheim

First, a photo from last night's wine tasting:

Several of us walked around this interesting village (see photo) looking for a

place for dinner. The only restaurant we found which was open was full with dozens of customers, possibly from a tour bus.  So we ended up back at the hotel.  The food was good but the service slow.

I forgot to mention that we crossed into Germany late in the day today.  After two weeks of managing French - Brenda is pretty good at this - now we have to deal with German and we don't even recognize food on the menu.

The ride to Gemserheim was not pleasant. It started last night when our Dutch guide Joppa suggested an alternative route on a bike path through vineyards.  I didn't think a route without directions or GPS tracks was a good idea but I was out voted.  It was drizzling when we started. 

We stopped by a pear orchard and ate some of the pears on the

ground. They were really good until the six foot farmer appeared and "talked" to us; of course no one knew what he said.  Were we going to jail? Then someone said "from the ground" and he understood and everything was ok.

Which way? Neither. We had to turn around and go back.

It was raining harder; tractors were crossing the road pulling grape picking machines and the roads were getting muddy.  At around 16 km, 10 or 12 of us came to a "T" in the road and didn't know which way to turn. In fact we couldn't even determine what town we were in. After about 10 minutes a local set us straight: we were totally lost - we had been traveling south instead of the intended north.  So at 16 km we were almost back to the hotel. Our guide had assured us the path was straight and well marked.  Bull shit; it was neither.  The uncertainty continued.  At one town, six of us got separated and Ron had a good suggestion: "Let's forget about the Wine Bike Path and use the roads".  The roads were better marked, better surface and less hilly. An easy decision. We had lunch in Landau but the rain was harder and when we came out of the cafe we were cold. When we finally got to Gemserheim we couldn't find the hotel. A Brit with a good sense of humor drew a map for us but that didn't get us there.  We asked a German getting on his bicycle.  He couldn't figure our how to give instructions so he led us there on his bicycle.

So, when you add in dirty bikes and wet and dirty clothes, it was not the best of days.  But I have to remember the motto which used to be at the top of this blog: "The worst day on the bicycle is better than the best day at the office."