ACCOMMODATION:
Ferienwohnung / Appartement
Rohrerstr. 10, DE-53945, Blankenheim-Lindweiler
Kontakt: Familie Hannelore+ Heinrich Bertram
Tel: (0049) 2440 911122 
Mobil: (0049) 15117463113 
Fax: (0049) 2440 911124 
 info@fewo-bertram.de info@fewo-bertram.de
 http://www.fewo-bertram.de

ACCOMMODATION COSTS: 400 Euros (approx. £300)


PETROL COSTS: approx. £200


LENGTH OF STAY: 22 - 28 June 

The pictures are in chronological order.

Tuesday 23rd: Car assisted. Circular route starting from Weilerswist, going through Zulpich and Euskirchen. The area around Zulpich was especially pretty. 30 miles (No pictures)
Wednesday 24th: Car assisted. From Schuld down the Ahr valley to Remagen on the Rhine, following path of old railway. We spent some time in Ahrweiler, which had a very picturesque old town. Lunch was by a fountain. 40 miles (Pictures 1 - 10)
Thursday 25th: Car assisted. Along old railway from Daun in direction of Manderscheidt to see the Maare (volcanic lakes). I did a detour to Steineberg where there was a wooden tower (1911ft) affording excellent views of the surrounding countryside. 40 miles (Pictures 11 - 19)
Friday 26th: From Lindweiler by bike along old Roman road. In Blankenheim I left Sue and Anna to go to Adenau, back to Schuld and retrace the narrow roads back to Ohlendorf and Lommersdorf. Some long, steep climbs rewarded by excellent views. We ate out in "The White Horse" (Zum weißen Roß) in Tondorf. 60 miles No Pictures
Saturday 27th: Car assisted. From Gemund to the Urfttalsperre, where I left Sue and Anna to explore the Hohes Venn via Einruhr, Erkenruhr, Hirschrott and Dreiberg. Quite a lot of climbing but there were 4 kms of descent into Gemund. 40 miles (Pictures 20 - 24)

Total distances travelled by car: 1600 miles.
Total distance travelled by bike: 210 miles

So far nine CTC Plymouth members have expressed an interest in the Section Tour at Cholderton Youth Hostel on 15-18 May 2015. There is still space available at the Hostel at a rough cost of £20 per night,depending on the sort of accommodation required. As a rough guide it will be £20 per night with an overall cost of £60 - give or take a bob.

The hostel looks very nice indeed:
http://www.choldertonyouthhostel.co.uk/
and is 11 miles from Salisbury and 5 miles from Stone Henge. There is a members' kitchen, so we can be self-catering, if we want. 

In order to make a reservation, I need the full payment of £60 as soon as possible - preferably this week. Please, send cheques for £60 made out to Graham John to 24 Valiant Avenue, West Park, PL5 2NX. We can sort out any small adjustments to the cost later.

Inquiries about the Tour are welcome from CTC members who do not currently ride with CTC Plymouth. For information phone Graham John on 07845 879 711.

On Friday 15 May I would suggest that we leave Plymouth together at the same time and make for an agreed venue not too far from the Hostel. This will allows to do a short ride in the area before we make for the Hostel in the evening. There will be two full days' cycling on Saturday and Sunday followed by a shorter ride on Monday for those who so desire.

Unless you have any specific requests, I will book shared accommodation for the ladies and the same for the gentlemen. 

Regards - Graham John
CTC Plymouth - Secretary
07845 879 711

"How silently they tumble down
And come to rest upon the ground
To lay a carpet, rich and rare,
Beneath the trees without a care,
Content to sleep, their work well done,
Colors gleaming in the sun."
-   Elsie N. Brady, Leaves

Many thanks to Dave Newman for the opportunity to explore the countryside around Josselin and for his most generous hospitality. 

I had Bike Friday with me, which I now pejoratively name my "sewing machine".  Trevor and Zena (Natural Cycles) completed last-minute repairs on it (new chain and sprockets) before I left, and the thing folded conveniently into the boot of Dave's newly-acquired Peugeot.

Day One: was a bash down the Nantes-Brest canal and the "Voie Verte" as far as Maletroit and then on to Questembert (end point). Return via Elven, Trédion, Sérent and back along the voie verte with its brightly-coloured, squelchy macerating sycamore leaves and the N-B canal to Cahéran. (63 miles.)

Day Two: Visit to Super-U in Josselin (spent a fortune. Mmmm, loved it.) and then to visit Daniel and Janine, friends of Dave. After the aperitif(s) and a late return to Cahéran, I rather lacked motivation at all of three in the afternoon, but at David's suggestion I headed up through St Gobrien to Cruguel and thence to Lizio, Quily, Guillac and back along the D122 to Cahéran. (20 miles.)  

Day Three: Dave dropped me off on the voie expresse near Locminé and I made my way on the D181 to Mauriac, Pluméliau, St Nicholas-des-Eaux (St. Nicolas an Dour, as sign-posted in Breton, Welsh Dwr = Water). This was on a gorge (but not a big one) carved by the R. Blavel. I noticed a cycle-route along the river to Pontivy, which would have been interesting but out of my way. I made for Malrand, Baud, Locminé and then on the D123 to Cahéran. (80 miles.)  

Day Four: Dave was thinking of an early lunch and a shorter ride for me. Actually I had a late breakfast and headed off in true "sportif" style, with no food, for Guilliers. Guess it was getting on for 11 o'clock? Anyway, up the D123 past Dave's house, over the motorway and then on to Héléan (not Croix de Héllian). Ville Neuve (one of many villages of this name in the area). Thence right via lanes on the D157 to Les Orgons and Guilliers and then to Mahon, Les Forges and about 10 kms along the canal to Josselin and Cahéran.  (37 miles.) 

The total distance comes to 200 miles since the previous Sunday on which I did 60 miles. So I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself (though sore).

Evenings were passed watching videos.

(1) Innocence: 

"At an unusual private school for girls, new students, including young Iris (Zoé Auclair), show up in coffins. The establishment's teachers, Mademoiselle Eva (Marion Cotillard) and Mademoiselle Edith (Hélène de Fougerolles), introduce Iris and her fellow pupils to the school's curriculum, which includes fairy-like dances through a nearby forest. When night falls, the older girls, who are on the threshold of womanhood, are then given mysterious, life-changing lessons."

(2) Amour

Synopsis: Georges and Anne are a couple of retired music teachers enjoying life in their eighties. However, Anne suddenly has a stroke at breakfast and their lives are never the same. That incident begins Anne's harrowingly steep physical and mental decline as Georges attempts to care for her at home as she wishes. Even as the fruits of their lives and career remain bright, the couple's hopes for some dignity prove a dispiriting struggle even as their daughter enters the conflict. In the end, George, with his love fighting against his own weariness and diminished future on top of Anne's, is driven to make some critical decisions for them both.

(3) Coco Avant, the first film about Coco Channel's early life.  In spite of humble beginnings she becomes a success - she starts making hats and then becomes the dress-maker she is renowned for.  

(4) The Reader. German-American production of 2008, based on the novel (1995) of the same name by Bernhard Schlink. 


Synopsis: It tells the story of Michael Berg, a German lawyer who as a mid-teenager in 1958 had an affair with an older woman, Hanna Schmitz, who then disappeared only to resurface years later as one of the defendants in a war crimes trial stemming from her actions as a guard at a Nazi concentration camp. Michael realizes that Hanna is keeping a personal secret she believes is worse than her Nazi past – a secret which, if revealed, could help her at the trial.

Sat/Sun/Mon 1-3 June

All went to plan, arriving in Antwerp shortly before 8.00 pm local time.  On Sunday Graham B visited the museum of modern art while Anna, Sue and I saw St Paul's Church with its excellent exhibition of paintings by Rubens, van Dyke and Caravaggio. Sue, who was suffering a bit with her leg, Anna and I got a taxi to the central park. After a short rest, watching local children playing football, we walked around the park, which was packed. We were surprised to see so many Jewish people there, and were especially surprised by the Jewish boys with their tressed hair. I think the Jews were much involved with the diamond trade for which Antwerp is famous.

The statue is of Lange Wapper. According to Wikipedia: "The legend started in the 16th century. Lange Wapper likes to live near the sea, near rivers or canals. He can make himself so tall that he can move from one town to another with a single giant leap. Lange Wapper uses tricks to approach women to get their breast milk. He teases drunks, cheats while playing with children and laughs like the devil."

Tues 4 June

Graham and I picked up bikes locally while the girls went into Bispingen to get information from the Tourist Office. The bikes Graham B and I got were basic sit-up bikes, so we are no match for Anna and Sue on their touring bikes. We are situated a little south of Hamburg, so we are not affected by the dreadful floods which have inundated southern Germany. It was a fairly short route today (23 miles). Wilsede was the main goal, where we sampled a local specialty called Buchweizenschmant, topped with cream and fruit. Pictures above are of the Totengrund, a hollow crater, which was probably caused by glaciation.

Wed 5 June 2013

Volkwardingen - Bispingen - Borstel i/d Kuhle - Hoerpel - Doehle - Eggestorf - Underloh - Doehle - Hoerpel - Volkwaringen (26 miles)

Thurs 6 May 2013
Volkwarding - Behringen - Schneverdingen - Wilsede - Volkwarding (24 miles)

Friday 7 June - Visit from Graham's friends from Kamen-Methler

In the morning we did a coach trip - organized by the family in whose holiday home we are staying. In the afternoon we visited the Iserhatsche Kastell - a project which has been developed by the owner since 1989.

Sat 8 June - Graham and Graham went to Bucholz-in-der-Nordheide, some 20miles north of Volkwardingen. Bit frustrating because it was difficult to find a wooded path from Bucholz back to Volkwardingen. Sue and Anna did their own route.

Sunday 9 June - Soltau, south of Bispingen. Much of this area seems in the past to be connected with salt production and Soltau has a thermal bath. We didn't go in, though the adverts promised quite a lot.

Monday 9 June - visit to Luneburg for hopping and sight-seeing.

Tues 10 June - Graham and me back to Bucholz to track down these routes through the woods. Success at last, we found a wonderful route. No photos. One wood looks much like another.

Wed 11 June - last day on these horrible bikes. Sue and Anna did their own thing. Graham and I went to Wendisch Evern (car assisted) and followed the Elbe-Seiten-Canal as far as the Neetze-Canal.

Anna's Report:

Sue and I cycled in all directions from the house in roughly 30 miles per day. After meeting cobbled lanes and sandy tracks on the first day, we tried to stay clear of them as they did not much good for Sue's leg or my neck. We cycled along lovely little country lanes, most of them had cycle lanes. We watched the 'Schuetzenfest' in Salzdorf and the 'Stadfest' in Soltau. We listened to the frog concert in the marshy lakes and enjoyed the wood carvings along the road. We saw a red kite, a nosy jay and a heron in flight, a deer and a stag. We spent hours in a folklore museum getting acquainted with the life as it had been. We visited bronze age graves and tried to find the source of the local river, but the track was too rough. We found a well in a picturesque setting, where the  water bubbled out at 60 liters per second and 9.2  degree C. Some wooden tracks could not be avoided in making a circular trip and we got lost completely at one stage, luckily it was sunny  and I  couldn't work out what direction we were going till we found a road again. We could not find a bird of prey sanctury either although it had a big sign from the road. We stopped at a lot of little cafes to sampled their ware and looked at the folly of a rich man from the outside ( We did not want to pay 15 Euros to look inside)

The area was not as flat as I had expected, but the hills nowhere as bad as in Devon. We loved the views especially in the good weather we had, it must be absolutely beautiful, when the heather is in bloom.

As a final note - we have had glorious weather the whole time we have been here. 

Anna's Pictures:

Sue's Pictures:

Graham Black's Pictures:

When I suggested the dates for this tour way back in Autumn of last year, I had thoughts of tolerable temperatures and with a bit of luck some warming sunshine. Not a bit of it.  Who could have known that the Jet Stream would be vengefully riding the Equator and that Somerset and the rest of Britain would be in the grasp of a mini-ice-age?

The daffodils and narcissi are indeed out  but locked in close-lipped silence along the hedgerows. All our excursions took place in close to zero temperatures and a cutting, Siberian wind: every credit due to Graham Black and Julie Lang, John and Jean Harris, Andy Easton and Yolande, Mike Willacy and Graham John, who dared to take part in this blood-curdling adventure and who survived the ordeal.

DAY ONE (46 miles)

We met at Barrow Mump and set off about 10.45 am to explore the Somerset levels. Burrow Mump is typical of the geology of this area and is one of many limestone outcrops, the most famous of which is Glastonbury Tor. The route took us through back lanes to Westonzoyland and then on to Chedzoy and Bawdrip. A short stretch on the A39 and we were in Woolavington, where we had hoped to replenish before going further. As it happened, the pub was no longer serving lunches and we made our way to East Hunspill, where once again the inn was shut. Hence on to the ubiquitous Red Lion in West Huntspill, which was packed with holiday makers.

On to Mark and a quick right before the bridge to Burtle, Westhay, Meare and the pressured A39 in Walton. Some of us made directly for the YH and the drivers crossed the levels via High Ham back to Barrow Mump.

DAY TWO ( 48 miles)

Yolande needed to get her breaks attended to. Fortunately there was a bike shop in Street called "On your Bike" and Yolande was able to have new V-breaks fitted and have her rear breaks adjusted for a modest 22 pounds.

On we forged, stopping between Meare and Wedmore for elevenses in a popular cycling cafe. Jean met up perchance with old acquaintances from previous trips. Some stopped in Cheddar before attempting the Gorge and all had lunch at the Hunter's Inn, just outside of Priddy. 

Wells Cathedral. On through Dulcote and left towards Glastonbury. Some - impatient with the leader's slow pace - had gone ahead and missed the turning. Nothing to be worried about in this age of the digital phone. Back they came and off again to Glastonbury and Windmill Hill, again testing the leader's strength and determination.

Home to the YH and a quiet evening.

DAY THREE (54 miles)

Yet another icy day.  Off we went - King Weston, Alford and Castle Cary, where we had elevenses in The George Hotel which dates back to the 15th Cenury. To Cole via the back lanes and then Bruton. Right at the crossroad and left over the river to Red Lynch. Up the steep old hill to Red Lynch. But Mike Willacy had a problem with his gear cable and spent twenty minutes fixing the problem.

We hoped to find a pub before the turning for Alfred's tower, but the pub was choc-a-bloc and we were dispatched to the nearest inn, The Red Lion, in North Brewham, where we had an excellent lunch.

Rather than retrace, we decided to make for a path through Kings Wood warren. Again the faster contingent forged ahead, missing the right turn onto the path to Alfred's Tower. A telephone call later and all was resolved. We made our way to the tower and its 200 odd steps.
Thence to Killington and so to Ditcheat, West Baltonsburough, Butleigh and the final welcome of the YH.

DAY FOUR (25 miles)

I had expected the weather on this last day to better than it was. There was still a cold wind made worse by a heavy stone-grey sky and haze. I for one was pretty tired by this time - I think, more from the biting cold than the actual length of the rides or the few climbs. As a precaution I suggested a car-assisted ride from Castle Cary to South Cadbury. Parking our car some distance from our destination defeated the temptation to find the nearest cafe and stay put.

We did indeed curtail our route just outside South Cadbury with its hill fort dating back to neolithic times. It was near lunch time so we headed directly for Queen Camel and the Mildmay Arms for lunch. We then headed back north via West Camel, where we crossed the A303, through Bobcary, Foddington, North Barrow to the A359. The abrupt ascent to the A359 and Galhampton robbed me of all enthusiasm for further exploits and Mike Willacy and I made our way directly back to Castle Cary, while the others headed into the lanes again, eager for new adventures. As it happened, they arrived back at the car park only five minutes after Mike and me, so I rather regretted not making the detour with the rest of the group.

I negotiated the route to the A303 where we finally parted company. It was 5 o'clock near enough when I arrived home, having dropped off Mike Willacy. The trip involved some 170 miles of cycling. I think everyone enjoyed themselves in spite of the chilly weather and I have my own thank-yous to say to a brilliant team!

Blue Route = Day 1
Red Route = Day 2
Green Route - Day 3
Purple Route = Day 4