Dodging the Rain in Durbach

DURBACH.

Heavy overnight rain continued well into the morning. So wet we cowered in the van until 10:30. Then we packed up and moved on. Someone has removed the barrier at the campsite end of the roadworks, so we sneak back through them, again saving a good 30 minutes.

Our destination is Durbach, about 10 km from Offenburg. Lots of roadworks around the latter meant that we went round in circles a few times cursing. When all else fails, follow the instructions is the best advice. So, eventually using the diversion signs and using pedestrianised streets we arrive at our destination. It's a large car park, well maintained, at a cost of 6 euro for 24 hours. Electricity is available for a further 2. And, a toilet remains open all night.

There is a bus stop outside the park so we catch a bus into Offenburg. We've been here before when we stayed at Intel's place in Legelhurst.

Rosie wants to look around the shops so we separate for a couple of hours. I walk to the lake and back for some necessary exercise.

Waiting to catch the bus back, soldiers are gathering for a March into town. We speculate that they must be returning from a tour somewhere. They assemble in the bus station making buses detour around them. A bus arrives showing our number, we're about to board when the driver changes the destination to Legelhurst, where Nigel has his flat.

We've little in the way of provisions so decide to eat out. There's a couple of places open so we opt for one with people sat outside. Inside it's almost full. There is a table of hikers, whom we'd seen whilst waiting for the bus, in full flow. There's a great atmosphere al round. We were expecting it to be quiet on a Wednesday. We have pork in a cream sauce with homemade pasta. It's more like Yorkshire pudding consistency, very tasty. After almost ordering water in our wine, we choose a Riesling. It's nothing like the fizzy rubbish we recall from home, it necessitates a second round.

Finish the evening walking a mile or so looking for an advertised swimming which doesn't seem to exist.