June 18th 2010 – June 19th 2010

Dinkelsbuhl – Stellplatz Contd

Overnight, it rains none stop. It stops briefly at about 9:30 on Friday morning, which allows me to cycle to the campsite to pay our 10Euro, and get our token to get through the barrier. By the time we leave, it has started to rain again.

I had hoped to take a photograph of the Stellplatz, but it was raining too hard!

Our destination is a site at Geslau (ASCI2010-475), which we think will be in cycling distance of Rothenburg.

When we arrive, it is pouring with rain, which never helps with first impressions of a place, plus it is very remote (it is not actually in Geslau, but at a hamlet called Lauterbach) and we have neglected to buy bread (or rice which we need), note the use of “we”, you know the score, no names, no pack drill.

After some discussion, we drive into town (Rothenburg) to buy supplies, the good news is, the supplies includes an Apple Strudel.

The rain continues, if anything it is worse. We decide, if we return to Geslau/Lauterbach, all we will be able to do is sit in the van and watch the rain. We study the Stellplatz map, and the ASCI map, and decide to head for Weikershiem/Laudenbach (ASCI-611).

This does mean we are missing out Rothenburg, but given that we have now done three medieval towns, we cannot summon much enthusiasm to walk around another one in the pouring rain.

Getting out of Rothenburg turns out to be something of a nightmare.

The Tomtom directs us down a road which is closed. Not sure why it is closed, all the signs are (understandably) in German. Our only options are ahead, which has a height limit too low for us, or a left turn into a car park. Fortunately the car pack has room to allow us to turn around.

We try following the signposts, for a diversion, but we run out of signs and end up at the bottom of a very steep hill, in a very small road, in a village, at yet another road closed sign. We are accompanied by a large German lorry, towing an equally large trailer. I manage to keep out of his way, while he attempts to turn around, which he does manage to do, but not before flattening a road sign, with the trailer. He does not seem too worried about this, as he smiles to us, and shrugs his shoulders French style.

At a junction at the top of the hill again, the German lorry stops, and waits until another passing lorry gives him directions, we opt to follow him, given that he is bigger than us, and if he can get past, so can we, until eventually the Tomtom begins giving us sensible directions again.

Weikershiem/Laudenbach – Schwabenmuhle – ASCI-2010-611

I hesitate to say this, but the rain has stopped. For the first time in I think four days, the sun is shining and we can actually see some blue sky!

This site is also in the Stellplatz book, and there is an area just outside of the site, which looks like you could park there. But inside the site everything is brand new, most of it looks as if it has never been used before, it is excellent. The owner and his daughter, do not really speak English, but they try hard, and with a bit of English, a bit of German and a bit of arm waving, we manage to communicate.

We cannot help but notice, the Germans have World Cup fever. People have flags in their windows, flags on their cars etc etc. I know they have thrashed Australia 4-0, and today when we arrive at this site, the owner is too engrossed in the football on TV, to check us in, Kathleen tells him she will come back when the match has finished.

We find the church in the village, the sun is shining, so Kathleen is happy. Added to this, one of the chaps watching the football, apparently plays the Organ at the church, and he is called Albert, so she has a date with him (at church) on Sunday.

Saturday, I hardly dare say this, it is not raining!

It is hairdressing day, so it is decided we will do the cycling in the morning, before the hair washing etc.

There is a cycle track to the next village, Weikersheim, and it is reasonably flat. On our way we spot a Lidl and an Aldi, both within 3km of the campsite, just on the outskirts of Weikersheim.

There is nothing Kathleen likes better than to have a Lidl within cycling distance.

As you can see, there is a wedding in progress, they must have started early, it is only 10:15 and they are at the photographs stage.

Sorry, we still have the sideways photograph problem!

Weikersheim is another village full of buildings from the middle ages, and has a large square with cafes/bars around it, and lots of tables to sit having a drink and/or food.

This suggests, they usually have fine weather and warm sunshine here, although, some of the cafes do have blankets provided to wrap around you, while you sit enjoying your drink (I am not joking!).

Just at the end of the square, behind where the couple are having their wedding photographs taken, there is a Schloss or castle / stately home.

As you can see, it is a very grand affair, and dates back to 1400 and something, if my memeory is working.

This shot is of the courtyard in front of the main building.

It also has gardens, some of which are the "usual" formal rose garden type etc, but, the part I liked the best, was a "Witches and Spells Garden".

Here, in addition to all kinds of "magic" props, like animal bones, hideous masks etc, they have figures of witches sitting on broomsticks, with their pet Raven in attendance, perched high above the footpath where you walk.

There were other amusing little touches to do with superstitions, for example, as you walk along the path, you are forced to walk under a ladder, propped against the wall, because there is nowhere else to walk.

Plus there is this chap, a figure of a wizard or goblin, I am not sure which, sitting on the branch of a tree, watching you as you walk through the garden.

We cycle on towards Creglingen (this is about 19km away, I do not expect to get that far).

As we went along, we pass a Stellplatz at Rottingen (it is in the book). I linger to check it out, for Bryan and Joan.

Kathleen pedals on regardless, see later.

There are about 20 vans there (all German as far as I can see, not that it really matters).

It is opposite the fire station and alongside the river.

The green portacabin type buildings are showers and toilets, at the time we are passing, there is even a cleaner there, doing the necessary.

There is also the usual fresh water and waste empting point, plus Electric hook ups.

Once I have finished taking the photographs, I pedal on after Kathleen.

We have been following a well signposted cycle track, along the river. I continued following the track, through Rottingen, and on toward Creglingen.

I usually pedal quite a bit faster than Kathleen, so when I have not caught up with her after about two miles beyond Rottingen, I conclude, she is not in front of me, but must have taken a detour.

Fortunately, we have our mobile phones with us.

Needless to say, I get no answer when I call.

Shortly after, I receive a text, to say she is in the church at Rottingen. I turn around and peddle back, to Rottingen (seen here).

It is verbotten to comment on who's fault this little mix up was.

We set out, together this time, still heading toward Creglingen.

We make it as far at a place called Klinger, before it is decided we have gone far enough and we turn around and head back.

As you can see, the cycle track is excellent, making its way gently through lovely quiet countryside, and is more or less flat.

Although it looks deserted, except for Kathleen pedalling on ahead, there are actually quite a lot of people cycling along, or having a picnic at tables provided along the way.

We return to Weikersheim, and pause in the square for a beer, before pedalling back to the campsite, to complete a 23 mile ride.

After lunch, Kathleen disappears for the rest of the afternoon to do the hairwashing / drying / straightening.

June 16th 2010 – June 17th 2010

Wednesday, and we wake up to rain. We decide to give up, on waiting for better weather, and continue on our way along the Romantische Strasse.

There are no more campsites actually on, or reasonably near to the Romantische Strasse for some considerable distance, so we head for a Stellplatz (a German version of the French Aire).

Donauworth – Stellplatz

We have not used one of these before, so this will be another little adventure.

The Stellplatz is at Donauworth (for Bryan and Joan, or anyone else who may read this and come this way). We got it from the Stellplatz book (2010 version), it is Page 216. It is called Wohnmobilstellplatz am Festplatz. Which I think translates as “Mobile home parking place at the Festival Ground”.

The book says there are places for 8 vans, but when we get there we find there is marked out parking for 8 vans, plus unmarked space for about 4 more, on the edge of a large car park, but only 8 electric hook points (1Euro per 8hours of Electric at about 6amps).

There is a service point for fresh water, and a disposal point for Water and Chemical Toilet.

Water is 1 Euro/100litres, the actual parking is free, and you can stay for upto 5 days (we think), so in short it is 3Euro per day, or free if you do not bother with electric hook-up.

We arrived at about lunch time, at which point there were four vans, including ourselves. By 16:30 there were 10 vans, including one other Brit, the rest being German, Belgian and Swedish.

It is not very scenic, but it was quiet, and only five minutes walk into the town.

It is worth noting, if you may come this way, there was a poster for another StellPlatz, Wertingen (see Page 600 of Stellplatz book). It is a few kilometres off the Romantische Strasse, but the photograph looks very impressive.

Still on the subject of facilities, for the benefit of Bryan and Joan, or anyone else who may read this and come here, there is a town map at the tower on the edge of the old town. Among other things it shows the location of all of the Toilets, in the town, which Kathleen committed to memory.

Donauworth is a very pleasant little town, with lots of cafes and bars. It still has a significant proportion of the town walls and moat intact, dating back to the middle ages.

There is the usual crop of churches with incredible interiors (am I beginning to sound bored with them?).

This is just one of many ceiling paintings, and these are in churches in small towns/villages in Southern Germany, not major Cathederals. There must be dozens of them.

After a good initial explore, we settle into a pavement bar, a pleasant surprise the beers are only 2.5 Euro each for about a pint, the cheapest we have had I think. Kathleen gets her moneys worth by ensuring she makes good use of their toilet, since we are on our own facilities for as long as we stay here!

Thursday morning, surprise, it has not rained overnight, and it is not raining when we get up. The first time in several days.

We walk into Donauworth, for some groceries, and to have a bit more explore. We are very impressed by Donauworth, it is so beautifully kept, and a lot of the town walls, dating back to the middle ages are still intact. We do not know it yet, but there is even better to come.

Storks nest, on chimney of this building.

Really neat vegetable garden, this one taken especially for Martin.

Donauworth, Town Walls

Donauworth, Town Walls and moat.




We are beginning to think, there is so much to see on the Romantische Strasse, we will not be able to fit it all in, in the time we have available.

We come upon this place (Schlosse Harberg), as we drive along. It is free to park, and if you are happy just to browse and take photographs, that is free too. You can have a guided tour if you wish.

Kathleen can be seen checking out possible disposal points, since we will be on another Stellplatz tonight.

Next we come to Nordlingen. It is lunch time, so we stop, park and have a walk around the place.

Back to thos photographs which have not turned around!, damned computers.

We treat ourselves to a Latte Machiatta (a sort of fancy coffee), and enormous pieces of cake. Kathleen has (relatively) healthy Strawberry cake, I have a totally unhealthy slab of cream, black cherries, chocolate, ice cream and cake.

Nordlingen is even more impressive than Donauworth, with even more of its original Town Walls in tact.

Walking along the parapet of Nordlingen Town walls.

Nordlingen from the Town Walls.

More Nordlingen from the Town Walls.














Suitably filled with cake, we return to the van, and head for our destination for today, Dinkelsbuhl.

Dinkelsbuhl – Stellplatz

The Stellplatz is a sort of stripped down campsite and, I think, belongs to a campsite, which is about 500 metres along the road.

It is countryside on the edge of Dinkelsbuhl (about 1 mile, more or less flat, cycle track into town).

It is securely fenced, with “street lights” and an automatic barrier to let you in. You have to pay 10Euro per day, that is inclusive of Electricity (6amp), Water, waste disposal. You pay at the campsite about 500 metres along the road. You cannot get out until you pay!

There are marked out spaces for 14 vans. Once it is full it is full, no chance to squeeze in any more. There were only six vans there, including us. All German, except us of course.

We cycle into town, and explore, it is another beautiful little place, filled with building dating back to the Middle Ages, and all beautifully preserved, but still in regular use.

Dinkelsbuhl, town gate (c1340).

Dinkelsbuhl, street scene

Dinkelsbuhl, another town gate (c1640)

Dinkelsbuhl, houses built into town walls.






Lots of cake shops, it is clear, Germans like their cakes!





While we explore we see two of the German couples from the Stellplatz. On our return, I notice one couple have returned with a giant Strawberry flan (it must be at least 18” across and 3” deep). They sit and demolish half of it!