Enkirk

September 13, 2017

Today was an exciting day for Ken so it is best he writes it. Yes you guessed it lots of old tractors and work in the vineyards

Another day of two halves.

Last night we foolishly ate at the hotel. It was full. We had no idea what we were ordering. Mine turned out to have large amounts of meat that I could not eat - otherwise fine

During the night it rained and blew and we went to breakfast rathe anxious. The breakfast was great as usual and we tarried over it as the weather forecast suggested better weather after 12. Eventually we did load up at 10 and set off in light rain. The track went under several bridges and under each was a gaggle of wet cyclists wailing for the shower to pass. We got on quite well until about 11.30 when it really bucketed down. A passing local and a sign directed us to a cafe up a steepish hill. By the time we got the were drenched. By the time we left there was some clear sky behind us and for the rest of the day we gradually dried out (except for our socks and shoes)

We have been worrying about the grape growers and wondering how they are coping with this dreadful weather at harvest. The answer seems to be that they are harvesting anyway. We saw groups of pickers dressed like North Sea fishermen picking grapes in the rain. On mechanical harvester was going flat out in the rain

II remember this area very well from our previous trip in lovely weather. One feature was the old tractors (40-60 years old) still in use- usually equipped with cable winding gear, I presume to pull things up the extremely steep rows. I got several photos most we Deutz, Eicher, Fahr and in the basement of our hotel a single cylinder Hela (1953) beautifully restored as was the Fahr

The wind was behind us nearly all day. We stopped for coffee. And cake with two Dutch riders who were guiding a cycle tour of 35 Americans. Only one of their flock, Tom (an American)had decided to ride today. The others had gone on the bus to Trier to shop. Tom was just as alarmed about Trump as I amWe pulled into this small town at.5 and are well settled and are planning our next move which is cycle to Cochem tomorrow

I wouldn't want to pick grapes in this weather

Beautifully restored single cyclinder air cooled Fahr

A 2 cylinder Deutz with winding gear to haul things up the steep slopes

A new extremely high bridge is being built across the Moselle

A motorised monorail to go up 45 to 60 degree slopes

Our bikes sharing the garage with a beautifully restored 1953 Hela

Today's ride: 52 km (32 miles)
Total: 2,081 km (1,292 miles)

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