Snippets week six

Shopping is an adventure, not always sure what we are getting. Our Czech hostess, when we showed her a small can we thought to be sweet corn, advised it go right into the rubbish. The latest Mueseli is brown and crunchy. I have wondered if it came from the cat food dept, ( and my  worst thought is that it is kitty litter.)

 My watery  experience this week has been a Theraputic Kniepp bath. When I saw it on the map my mind turned to hot plunge pools and maybe a water slide. So it was a surprise to find a few folk assembled by a fast flowing small stream, deep in the woods. Two jolly girls encouraged me in to the icy water. There were rough steps down the bank, and a st ring hand rail down the middle of the flow. Once in the water I was told to high step, like a stork. We went round and round the hand rail, laughing quite a bit. When out, drying was snot allowed, justo brushing the water off. It seems Herr Kniepp deemed bathing in the cold. Danube, at all seasons strengthen the lungs. We are approaching the Swabian A lps, and I will report any improvement in my lung function.

Delights.
I am suddenly a huge enthusiast for the Baroque style. The Frauenkirchen  in Grinzburg  is a sublime example. Pink marble,, lots of gold, flowing shapes and gentle decoration every where. The side altars, a in Dessau, had some intriguing relics, bejewelled skeletons, shrunken heads and ancient fabrics, encased. In glass, with golden frames. Just as I have got excited about it, we are heading into the land on half timbered houses and more austere churches.

For 400 Kim's now we have been following the Danube cycle route, Radweg. It is proving a very easy and happy way to travel. We probably will not get stuck in a no exit village on the wrong side of a motorway,,  or trudge through a kilometre of sand when we did not understand a "road closed" sign, as has happened. We have a handy guide book that points out all the special places, and has minute details of the route. We follow small roads, tracks through the woods and riverside paths. And best of all there is little or no traffic.. We are not a novelty, well apart from our age, and we don't need the help of strangers, which  has often led to fun experiences and new friendships. The net work across Europe is extensive and offers its own challenges.

I have bought shoes, shocking pink Clarks lace ups, and they make me smile.