Alan Cycling Down the Rhine from Bonn, Aug 5, 2008

The weather was very hot the week of August 4 in the Rheinland. We set out late from Bonn, cycling south along the Rhein bicycle way. Alan had two flat tires in one day and bought a new tire, the German Schwalbe Marathon.

It was a short ride when we came upon the nice campground on the side of the Rhein at the "Siebengebirgesblick," or Seven Mountains area south of Bonn. The Dragon Tower is seen afar.
Alan was very happy to relax in the Biergarten along the Rhein. We learned that camping places in Germany often have such restaurants and bars.
Although the light is too strong, Alan was glad to get a glimpse of Rhein maidens sunning along the shore - seen here along the shore.

Köln, Germany

Köln Dom/Cathedral is the largest in Germany. It took 600 years to build and now is constantly being renovated. It was damaged in World War II but survived. The Gothic spires are covered with projecting pieces, visible perhaps if you click on the picture. For scale, see one of the pieces in the foreground, dwarfing the heads of pedestrians.

Cyane stands on a hill northeast of Koln. In the distance were visible the cathedral, the Ruhr Gebeid industrial area, the seven hills around Bonn, and the surface coal mines to the east, as well as the River Rhine.
A controversial modern stained glass window in the Koln cathedral, see below. It was designed by a Köln scientist who works with color and has no overt religious symbols. It was a very moving creation. Many of the windows still do not have stained glass - blown out in the war?

Der Monkser Brucke, the highest passenger train bridge in Europe. The Allies tried to bomb it in WWII but could not find it in the Wupper Valley.
Alans favorite modern building in Koln.

Köln, visiting Manfred August 2 and 3, 2008

Alan and Cyane went to Koln to visit Manfred, seen below.
We met him while cycling in New Zealand in January.
He was a wonderful host and took great care of us.
Here, he shows us the Schloss Burg just north of Koln.
Manfred cycles to the River Rhein to welcome us.

Manfreds garden in Quettinger.

Into Germany, August 2, 2008

Cyane and Alan entered into Germany at Aachen. The city has great symbolic significance, going back to the time of Charlemagne. Hitler chose it for major operations. Here, Cyane stands in front of the door of the Rat Haus-City Hall.

The Aachen cathedral is imposing and beautiful. Happily, it survived the war. See new gargoyle added below.


German yard and garden.
German cycling tour group, out even in the rain.
Sophie stopped to help us figure out the way into Köln.

Crossing Holland near Maastricht, August 1, 2008

Holland is very narrow in the south near where Belgium and Germany come together.
Maastricht is a lovely university town, with good planning for foot and bike traffic.
The two bridges downtown are just for pedestrians and bikers!

The winding roads led up slight hills to an agricultural plain east of Maastrict.
A lovely farm courtyard.
No cars on this bikeway!

Alan and Cyane cross Belgium July 30, 2008

Alan returned from visiting his parents; the next day Alan and Cyane set out cycling west.
They went along the Albertkanal, seen below. Very industrial, flat, and fast cycling.
The photo above shows a memorial to British airmen who were shot down in WW II

There were many packs of race cyclists out, even on such a hot day.

Cyane's pedal snapped off in eastern Belgium and Ludo, seen below, did a great job fixing it so we could get back cycling.

Sint-Niklaas; visiting old friends

The Fivez family was very kind to Cyane, taking her into their home to live with their seven children. Papa and Mama are still going strong!


Johan and Wilma de Vos put Cyane up for this visit.

Johan and grandson Tibo. Tibo took the photo above.
Johan de Vos taught Cyane photography in 1974-75 at the St Niklaas Academy of Fine Arts. He later became director for 17 years. Now he is a mediator, author, and photo critic.

Sint-Niklaas; the town

Sint-Niklaas lies southwest of Antwerp a few kilometers, on the way to Gent.
Cyane had lived there on an exchange program more than thirty years ago.
She was happy to go back and visit.
Below is Johan de Vos in front of the Great Market, one of the largest in Europe.

Old and new houses together.
Still doing errands.
The floral shop of Daniel Ost, who has become internationally famous and was written up in the NY Times. The sculpture is a large rendition of a vessel pouring water, with the water and ripples made of shrubs.

Antwerpen; Flanders, Belgium

The old history of Antwerpen/Antwerp is of a port and industrial city. See the central cathedral below framed by the pipes of an oil refinery.


The city is trying to remake itself. One dramatic statement is the architectural Justice Palace for Flanders, overlooking the Schelde river.

Antwerp now downtown seems to drive on tourism. It is a party scene around the old market square. Very diverse crowd.

The new scene seems to echo the rosy flesh of Rubens and the Baroque sculpture.

Belgium Introduction; Part C

Belgian dwellings, communities, and streets in Flanders are constructed of different blocks:
house brick blocks, street blocks, roof tiles, sidewalk blocks.
They really use Belgian blocks in Belgium!


Fishing appears to be a passion.