Day 14 - Sat 13 Jun 15: Rothenburg to Dinkelsbuhl

Estimated km: 46; Actual km: 50; Total km: 600; Ride time: 3h01m; Start time: 9am; End time: 1:35pm; Av speed: 16.3 kph 

17-24 deg C, cloudy but fine, an early to mid-morning mist and a little drizzle just as we arrived in Dinkelsbuhl, so good timing. 

An early morning wander around the old town walls and fortifications started the day in Rothenberg.  They were certainly well built; 700 odd years later they are still standing and in good condition, albeit with some maintenance over the years.  A lot to see in a small area of the town but that's SE Germany all over.  Sadly about 30% of the town was burnt during a bombing raid in WWII, however with generous international donations it was rebuilt. 

An 8am brekkie meant that we got away about 9am and headed south.  "Undulating" or as Wendy said, "I'm over these b..... hills", would describe today's ride.  Mostly through farmland along quiet country roads or through villages. We saw more than a few hardworking wind generators on the skyline being spun by a stiff breeze. Lucky for us the wind was with us most of the day.  Had a nice coffee and cake at Schillingsfurst after a fairly challenging climb. Lunch was at a nice fountain come sitting area just on the edge of Feuchtwangen.  After a quick look at the town centre and the local bike shop, we set off again aiming for our "target", as one local described it (hotel - Gastehaus Appleberg). 

As we were too early to check-in, we went in search of our favourite post-ride ice-cream.  After that mission had been accomplished, we took a slow wander through the back streets to return for check-in.  Dinkelsbuhl is a fully intact medieval town, complete with a wall, gates and towers. The buildings are stunningly beautiful and most immaculately maintained.  There are two main churches in town, Saint Paul's Lutheran is a model of modesty, while The RC Saint George Munster is massive and a fine example of extravagance.   I liked St Paul's for its simplicity while you can't help but marvel at the size and complexity of St George. During WWII Dinkelsbühl remained totally unscathed, except for a broken window in St. George's Munster.  After a little more wandering it was back to the rooms for an afternoon nap, even though we'd only done 50km. Well we are on holidays, and it was a bit hilly!  

Accommodation arrangements were a little unusual – the place to check-in was not the place you slept at.  The rooms were just across the road above a large garage that secured our bikes very nicely.  

Dinner was Mick & Kate's pick so they invited everyone to their palatial verandah, BYO everything, including chairs.  There was Turkish, Asian and European on the menu, with some nice wines.  Sometimes the simple things in life are the best.

The "kultured" ones within our ranks then went in search of a free concert, which we'd seen a sign for earlier in the day.  After a couple of false starts (but it didn't matter because we were walking around the outside of the town wall which was stunning) we found it in a section of one of the towers. It was great to see young people obviously brilliant at what they do performing for what looked like their parents/grandparents.

We then had to get back to our rooms before we turned into pumpkins; it was after 9pm!!

The building where we checked-in and had breakfast

The building in which we slept


St George Church behind the shops

St George

Organ in St George

St George spire/tower




Our room at Gastehaus Appelberg





Readying to leave Rothenberg

Lunch stop in Feuchtwangen

Town Square Feuchtwangen


Main street at Dinkelsbuhl

St Paul's

St George

Main doors of St George


Another way of playing tourist

Community garden plots outside the city walls

The free concert



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