More Training - Vegesack to Hude and Back

 It won't happen exactly how we planned this little training. We thought we'd do three days on the road, then adjusted it to three consecutive days from home, but Sunday the Weather Goddess, I'll call her Imogene, says it's going to rain the whole day tomorrow, and I vote NO to biking voluntarily in the rain. So we did Saturday. Not planning Sunday. Maybe again Monday.  

But Saturday was GREAT, lots of sunshine with temperatures in the upper 70s F, low humidity. Perfect. We headed to Hude, a small town about 25K from here, so a round trip of about 50 K. That's about as much as we want to do on one day.

We lucked out catching the ferry just in time and set out across the Weser and headed north along the river. And, there's a ship1 Not nearly as big as the ones we saw years ago, but OK. And it isn't even a ship, but a barge. Its load is likely coal for the steel plant.

And then a field we spy, newly mown, with lots of storks looking for lots of goodies. It's rare to see so many in one place, but they seem to be able to tell each other where to find fresh food.

I am still tickled by the names of little villages here. We've been through Hiddingwarden many times, but this sort of sign is relatively new. The number at the top of the pole in the number of the intersection of bike paths. Makes it easier - sometimes. (Reading maps and directions is not my strongest point.)

Heading to Hude, we passed a weeping willow that looked to be pretty old, and certainly impressively large. 

And an oak allee leading to a barn. There will be more allees along the way.

In Hude we took a short look at the ruin of the Cloister that was first established in the 13th c, disbanded and destroyed in the 16th c and later granted to a local family by the Danish government for services rendered. The manor house is still home to that family though much of the original grant is now a park and such. 

The ruins are impressive.

We lunched at the church across the street, took a little rest, and then headed home. 

There are so many bike paths and small streets with little traffic - such a pleasure.

Along one little street we spied some fruit, unknown to either of us - some red, some yellow, some dark blue, that looked like little plums and even smelled like plums. But we didn't taste them!!! After we got home, a quick consult told me they are indeed a plum variety, wild, used extensively in countries around the Black Sea  -  fresh, in jams, as a meat accompaniment. I will remember that next time!

Another little stop in Bardewisch because the church was open! We'd been in there once before, long ago. They have two small organs powered by bellows that you're allowed to play. Nice sounds, even when you don't know what you're doing. 

Finally back home! It wasn't too hard, but I'm OK with skipping tomorrow!