Flying Over the Vines

The Mohlin

On the second day at Ile du Rhin we cycled up through the forests on the German side of the Rhine. The cycleway crosses the Mohlin (a tributary of the Rhine) first, then there are lots of deserted tracks through the forests on the north of the rhine here, ideal for cycling with dogs.

Sailing on the Rhine

We cycled back on the cycle path alongside the Rhine, then over the bridge and back to the campsite. There is a very good baker just on the German side of the bridge…lovely brotchen (= rolls I think)…I bought seedy dark ones….full of malt and rye…delicious.

The next day we drove north along the superb german autobahns to Bad Durkheim.

Route to Bad Durkheim

Winery Close to the Stellplatz.

We landed on a Stellplatz (N 49.474015 E 8.191595), in the heart of a wine growing region in Southern Germany. The Stellplatz looks out over rows of vines and is very close to the Bad Durkheim Flugplatz…a small airfield. We had a lovely afternoon sipping the local white wine in the airfield bar, watching the light planes coming in to land over the vines.

Coming in over the Road

A Bit Lower. Lucky its not a Jumbo Jet.

These two were pretty good and got down first time. One of the pilots however must have been learning, or perhaps just had a heavy night on the vino, and bounced in and out of the vineyard on his first two approaches, which he had to abort. He got in on his third attempt.

Gliding In.

This chap glided in very neatly.

Max likes it here

The Stellplatz is quiet and linked to the campsite nearby…€11 for the stellplatz and an extra €1 for the water. We barbecued peppers and sausages for tea.

One of the Locals

Anyone know what this is? (I know its a bird…is it some sort of crow?)

Baby Grapes

The vines are covered in bunches of micro grapes.

Bad Durkheim Centre

There is a very good network of cycle tracks here and we started off by cycling into Bad Durkheim.

What’s all this about?

This is a large building we passed on the way to Bad Durkheim; there are large suspended swathes of black fabric material with water running through them…..not sure what they are and our German wasn’t up to asking. Anyone know?

The Worlds Largest wine Barrel

There is a bit of a wine theme here.

Heading East from the Stellplatz

After lunch in Bad Durkheim we set off into the countryside, again along an excellent cycle track through forests and fields.

Dogs and Dog Roses

There is much in bloom at the moment.

Blossom

There are a lot of trees covered in these white flowers…looks a bit like laburnum but the wrong colour.

Local Industry

Beehives everywhere.

Busy

Spring Onion Picking

We passed an army of workers picking and bundling up spring Onions.

Lettuce Patch

And a few lettuces.

About Peter and Nia

Rambling about Europe with the Kray Twins (Colin and Penny).