A Long Way from Home

Such a lovely day today,

(yesterday),

I'm so out of practice writing posts,

it takes me ages.

I went for a bike ride.

It was a bit hot to be riding a bicycle.

But I only rode as far as Bernkastel, (7 km.).

 

 

 

I didn't stop to take a photo

until I arrived in Bernkastel,

where I noticed where this cruise ship originally was from,

(or registered?).

It's a long way from home.

River Harmony was registered in Valletta, Malta.

 

 

I like seeing the cruise ships on the river.

They are a touch of luxury against the working barges.

 

 

 

It was obvious that lots of people had the same idea of getting out on their bicycles, despite the heat.

Mike met me in Bernkastle. He had left after me, but had come on his motorbike.

We enjoyed an ice cream together under the shade of a tree before going our separate ways.

 

 

I continued taking photos.

This is a café half way up the hill to the castle.

There are lovely views across the river from there.

Leaving Bernkastel,

I stopped to take capture this lovely chapel snuggled

in the vineyards.

 

 

It's lovely cycling next to the river.

 

 

I had more photos to show,

but for some reason,

Blogger prevented me.

 

We are very fortunate to have such lovely cycle routes.

And such lovely ice cream to enjoy

before embarking on the return journey.

I was so busy enjoying the ice cream,

I forgot to take a photo.

 

 

 

The Last of the Sunshine?

Thank you for your comments on my last post.

I was so heartened by them,

especially when I've been away so long.

Up to yesterday, we had been having some glorious weather.

Though the mornings would be very misty.

But once the mist had burnt off,

the day would be transformed into

the most glorious of days.

So I thought I had better

take advantage of the good weather,

and get my bicycle out.

So I went for a couple of rides at the weekend.

Cycling is very popular here.

Of course we are in the valley

which means that the cycle routes

alongside the river remain quite flat.

These photos were taken

on the Sunday, (I think).

We've been having trouble with the camera.

I've been a bit clumsy with it,

bumping it a bit too much,

and now the batteries keep falling out,

and the date needs correcting.

I cycled along the river to Traban-Trabach

a round route of about 20 miles.

I came back on the other side of the river for part of the way.

Most of these photos were taken

when I got to Traban-Trabach.

Traban is one side of the river,

a bridge spans the river

connecting it to Trabach.

That happens a lot here along the Mosel.

Villages have hyphenated names

and are usually separated by the river.

It has been a busy time here in the vineyards.

Everyone, it seems,

has been harvesting the grapes.

Only this morning whilst out with the boys,

I passed three separate vineyards being harvested.

I have been witnessing the little tractors coming by our house,

their trailers laden with grapes,

then passing a while later, empty,

on their way back up to the vineyards for more.

I just had to stop and get off my bicycle

on my way to Traban-Trabach

to take the photo below.

Whilst I was doing that,

a like minded lady coming the other way

did the same thing.

Except, she was with her husband,

and he went cycling on ahead not realising she had stopped.

There was a festival in the market place at Traban-Trabach.

I think it's main aim was to sell food and drink.

I had a wander round

before getting back on my bicycle to ride back.

I passed this pole,

a remnant from the springtime festivities.

I thought I would include the photo below

taken in the morning,

just to show the contrast.

Unfortunately,

I think we have seen the last of the good weather now.

Today it has been raining,

for the first time in about seven weeks.

So this picture is the same colour as it is here today, grey.

But I will leave you with a sunshine picture

taken at Traban-Trabach

from the weekend.

Sprinkles Anyone?

It was an early start for us,

4 a.m. to be precise,

to get Mike to the airport for his flight to Stansted.

This afternoon

I was sitting on the balcony

missing Mike,

when the phone rang.

It was my friend

inviting me out for a bike ride

to Bernkastel,

and an ice cream when we got there.

Her 12 year old son,

and his friend

were coming too.

It was just what I needed.

Though when she said

ice cream,

I imagined an

ice cream cornet.

So what a surprise

when we sat down to these.

What a delight.

The bike ride was good too!