Day # 36 Germersheim to Karlsruhe.

Pathway through
a German forest.

             Breakfast only offered at the Post Hotel at the distinctly un-German time of  8.00 am---usually available in these places from 6.00 am, delayed my frustration at trying to find the only pedestrian entry on to the main bridge that would lead me back to the east bank for Rhine crossing #15. The search was not aided by my woeful lack of German language, but have to say that I was astounded how difficult it was to find on the streets of Germersheim, any individual who had actually walked across their major bridge and therefore lacked direct and precise knowledge as to how to pedestrian access. However, more than hour later and perhaps 5 km walking, I was rewarded and made it to the eastern bank. At this point, my route then deviated from major roads and for more than two solid hours, I rolled through a ‘State Forest’ on a narrow, but well maintained track. During this time I did not see a single human being and was somewhat relieved to suddenly emerge onto the main secondary road leading through a series of prosperous and well maintained villages and on into the suburbs of Karlsruhe.

            From a grey, but dry morning start to the day, weather conditions gradually deteriorated, with the wind from the south building as the precipitation increased from drizzle to a heavy down-pour.

            Noticed the strange cloud formations in this region. It seems that the air mass is being pushed northwards over the Alps from the Mediterranean. As a result, the clouds appear as unformed and like grey steam flying by several hundred metres up.

            Booked into the Karlsruhe youth hostel and doing time in a six person dormitory for a couple of nights. Once again, I have vague memories of staying in this same building 45 years ago. Tomorrow, a spot of sightseeing in this attractive university city combined with a hunt for a cycle shop, where I can purchase a couple more tires for my buggy.

 29.3kms. walked today per Google Maps.
 Cumulative kms. walked: 698.5
Type of overnight lodging: Karlruhe youth hostel
Cost of lodging:  31E.