Day 10 Regensburg to Niederalteich - 62 Miles





Caught at breakfast - finishing touches to yesterday's blog!
We left of lovely city of Regensburg and headed in the direction of Walhalle (pronounced Valhalla)... 

We travelled along the Donauradweg – Passau  (Danube Cycle Way to Passau)...
...and beyond to Straubing for lunch,

Then Bogen and Deggendord...
...until our destination and the Abbey at Niederalteich


Crossing a bridge over the Danube to leave Regensburg.



The huge temple “Walhalla” was modelled on the Parthenon in Athens. 

 Valhalla was an enormous, majestic, Nordic hall located in Asgard and ruled over by the god Odin (Viking tradition). Only those deemed worthy could live here.

 Odin welcomed warriors after they were slain in battle.
"So why a German Walhalle?"
It was conceived in 1807 by Crown Prince Ludwig...




...as a hall of fame that honours distinguished people in 'Greater German' history – politicians, sovereigns, scientists and artists of the German tongue.


The construction of the building cost £666,666 (1830-1842).
Road surfaces remained impeccable.


Still warm enough at around 22'C and much better cycling weather, 
A heavily laden couple with undertaking their ritual 1000km bike touring over the summer. 
He told me that 10 years previously they cycled >4000km from Calais to St Petersburg. 
These mallards had just been fed bread by an onlooker.



This led to somewhat frenzied bread consumption!
We entered Straubing for lunch in the town centre. 
Some had ordered a slightly odd dish, potato fritters and what looked like stewed apple.
We criss-crossed the Danube (or Danau) several times.
Tony with fabulous 'helmet hair'
Metten Abbey - both a functioning abbey... 
...and school specialising in classic and modern languages.


A final 12 miles from the afternoon brew stop into Niederalteich.

Niederaltaich Abbey (Kloster Niederaltaich)...

... is a house of the Benedictine Order founded in 731 on the Danube in Bavaria.

Beautiful church interior, an active abbey with adjoining school specialising in mathematics, music and languages.
Index - click on links below


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Day 9 Weissenburg to Regensburg - 73 Miles

Image
A few stiff climbs, particularly a sharp initial ascent out of Weissenburg. We departed knowing we had a longer day plus hills... ...but by this time we were veterans of the road. Two Bavarian Hunds, often mistaken for Alpacas. Here we see the white and brown varieties. After the purported 18% climb, we had fine views of the valley below... ...and once up on the plain, numerous wind turbines. The stork had delivered. Fields alternated with corn, asparagus left to " fern ou t'', hops, brassicas but few vines. Here is a stubble field from presumed wheat (please correct me if I'm wrong!). This stone is the geographical middle point of Bavaria. Many tree-lined forest paths and roads. "Robert (red gilet), please just move over to the middle for the photoshot please!" This appeared like a huge maypole, festooned with coats of arms. Lunchtime... ...facing the main square. ...as we sett...
Read more

Day 6 Kloster Schöntal to Rothenburg - 45 miles

Image
Our morning briefing promises a shorter day, cycling out of Schöntal following the River Jagst... ...a couple of stiff climbs then undulating terrain until we reach our destination, Rothenberg, a fortified medieval town. The morning was cooler at a pleasant 24 'C. Brew stop at 13 miles... ...lunch at 29 miles, a climb up to Bartenstein (or Beard Stone). The morning was virtually traffic free, following an outstanding quality, undulating, meandering cycle path. Although mostly rural farm land, we would also pass by minor industrial estates, a green cycle sign marking the way. The River Jagst. Here my rudimentary O'level German was tested to the limit as a local quizzed me about our journey. Like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz, a voice from the field called me... ...a weird apparition on a hay-bail! Sumptuous, rolling fields... ...and a fairytale church. Chopped wood was meticulously stacked... ...villages beautifully kept...
Read more

Day 7 Rothenburg - relaxing day

Image
Rothenburg ob der Tauber (above the Tauber river), to give it its full name. There are other Rothenburg's in Germany. The Röder Gate, one of five medieval gates surrounding the city. Here we climbed up onto the covered ramparts and circumnavigated most of the city, dropping to ground level to pick up the wall a little later. Depending on your route, it's just under two miles to follow the wall. Although in the shade, it was still in the high 20s, but great views both inwards and outwards. Individuals and firms provided sponsorship... ...for restoration of the wall following WWII bombing. Although not so very busy, I had to wait a while to capture this decorative pattern. These "beaver-tail" roofing tiles appeared to be standard. A pastel view from the ramparts. Above - A vestibule within t he Spital Bastion fortification (~1586). It had a unique figure of eight design with two courtyards.  " Peace to those who enter,...
Read more