We had some debate as whether we should take a rest day and enjoy another day in the comfort at Haus Grieth but as the diggers started up at 8am building a new flood dyke to protect the area from floods outside the hotel our decision was made for us. We were leaving but decided to have a relaxing day sight seeing and not cycling too far. Thus we set off in relaxed mode not conducive to navigating . After missing a vital turning we found ourselves in Kalken not on our route at all but a very attractive town and with a large May Pole in the town square. We found our way back to the correct route and were able to view the theme park set in a nuclear power station, it was about to be actvated when chernobyl happened so instead became a theme park! You can even stay there…..

The rain that had been threatening finally came down . I then attempted to put my new rain boots on made of wet suit material,never worn before…. I think my feet have grown since I came on holiday as could only get them half on so they kept my toes warm anyway or maybe i should have bought the next size up.

Beautiful cycling between 2 large wetlands even better with a cafe there, hot drinks to warm up.

Heading towards Xanten we stopped for a taste of history at the reconstructed remains of a roman fort.Then very hungry and cold headed into Xanten .It seemed to have taken a long time today and although Xanten was only 25kms away from Grieth we seemed to have done nearly 40.How did that happen? Well we did say it was slow cycling….

We stopped at the first hotel we saw Hotel van Bebber  and deposited bikes and got warm. Well get some cheap b&bs later I promise myself to balance the budget.

Unpacking i discovered the drugs i was carting around had been left in the fridge of the last hotel. After several frantic emails and phone calls a taxi could be arranged to transport them to me and luckily it wasnt a day we’d cycled too far! The moral of the story do not start allergy treatment before you go on holiday!

Great place to wander around and sample the reconstructed history,Xanten was bombed to destruction in 1945 but has been accurately reconstructed.

Now time to get into those stretches we are meant to be doing every day…….the body is adjusting slowly to sitting on a bike constantly!

The bed is definitely looking very attractive tonight, wisteria across our balcony this is the life..

Hotel van Bebber xanten 4 star large spacious room and bathroom

Klever Strasse 12

028016623

Www.hotelvanbebber.de

Bike storage very safe

119 euros so uper range of budget but it was cold and wet