August 10th - 13th: Munich / Munchen

We would spend four nights in Munich at an AirB&B private apartment.

We were ready to give the bikes a rest after 1650 kilometres, but Munich is so bike friendly, it was definitely the best way to get around.

Footpath parallel to bike path.  Pedestrians need to think twice before straying, particularly at intersections.

We did the touristy things, visiting Marienplatz.

Waiting with thousands of others for the overrated Glockenspiel performance.

That afternoon, which was a warm 30 degrees, we made our way with most of Munich to the Englischer Garten.

Muncheners sure know how to celebrate a warm Sunday - thousands of outdoor drinks consumed and not a hint of conflict!

A visit to the Altes Pinakothekan (Old Masters Gallery) was rewarding  - colourful plastic hay bales were put to good use.

Our dinner view at an outdoor restaurant.

Rosemary's dinner - fish with a mushroom ravioli and safron fennel.

Rosemary!

Next day we chased bike boxes, visited the Victuals Market and attended the Deutsches Technology Museum - it was excellent - a tremendous array of invention ranging from maritime steam to aeronautical jet, through music, computing, mining, printing, film, textiles, toys atomic physics and much more - fantastic displays and demonstrations.

A range of musical instruments at the Duetsches Museum.

Aircraft through the ages.

A walk home through the old botanical gardens.

Second last day - a trip to the Dachau memorial concentration camp - a grim experience that provided grave insights.

We cycled the 17 kilometres north of Munich to reach the camp at Dachau.

Last day - time to pack up - needed to wash the bikes to satisfy Australian customs - ready to go!

The tour of Switzerland and Bavaria is complete - 1650 kilometres that delivered plenty of hills, thrilling scenery and a trip to remember.  There were a few times we were reduced to walking the bikes, but this amounted to about 1000 metres over the whole journey.

Have we got another tour in us?  Time will tell.

August 8th - 9th: A long ride to Bad Tolz and a Fall!

An early start to a long day - about 100 kilometres - a day that was to see unexpected detours, more significant abbeys, the further kindness of strangers and, on the second last day of cycling - an ugly tumble.

The Germans are big users of solar - this large milking shed was covered in panels.

Oberammergau, the home of the famous passion play was not far, but off track.

Wieskirche, home to a UNESCO listed rococo church was also off course, but we inadvertently went there!

Amazing ceiling artwork.

All this. In a small village!  A fellow cyclist from Cologne helped us find our way back on course as the Internet could not connect the server.

On the road again, so to speak.

Not so wild life.

With 20 kilometres to go Rosemary took a low speed tumble on loose gravel that made a mess of an already battered knee.  It also bent the bike! After a short break and swabbing of the blood, she manfully(?) remounted and carried on.

Following the clean up; still Not a pretty sight, but 20 klm to go!

The Benedictine Abbey at Benediktbeuern

Julien, another cyclist who helped out on a day when signage and Internet service let us down.

Arrived after the Battle of Busted Knee.

Off to dinner in Bad Tolz

Oversight!

Bad Tolz is an attractive spa town about 60 klm south of Munich

Had perhaps our best dinner of the trip at this balcony restaurant.

Accompanied by great Grenache and Temperanillo from Spain.

A pretty ride out of Bad Tolz next morning.

Following the Isar River to Munich

A not so wise owl pooped at the top of an arduous climb.