Regensburg to Straubing

Last night I rode into Regensburg for a look around. It is a fantastic city. Even the shopping district was nice. The city centre is cobblestoned and largely pedestrianised making it relaxing to walk through. I assume. I was riding. It was not too long after knock off time but people weren't rushing around desperate to get to the supermarket and get home. It felt like everyone was enjoying the city. Off the main pedestrian sections there are a tangle of alleys that remind me of the alleys in Brighton.

There is a cathedral in the middle of it all that I think was the most impressive so far. It took 600 years to finish. I can't even imagine what the world will be like 600 years from now. I didn't go in but the outside was covered with carvings which I believe are called friezes. I would like to know if they meant something or if the sculptor was just doodling. Probably meant something. I do wonder if any new cathedrals have been built recently. Or is that an occupation that has dried up? I might put it on my landing card next time I fly, see what happens.

I also saw an old Roman bridge that was the first of its kind and served as the archetype for others around Europe, such as the old London Bridge. It was unfortunately almost completely covered by scaffolding. So I guess it's not that good if it's broken.

On the way into the city I passed a restaurant in a park that I wanted to go back to, but I'd gotten myself horribly turned around and couldn't find it or the way back to the campground. So I went to the river and followed it back. It was busy with joggers and people playing sport under lights on the fields that line the river front. I stopped and watched a football match for a bit, desperately hoping someone would get injured and they'd have no choice but to bring on the stranger on a bike. Didn't happen, obviously. Underneath the highway overpass some people were playing bicycle polo, which looked awesome.

This morning I left at 11 because I'd stayed up late again watching Straight Outta Compton. Not a bad film. It was fairly hot today and the cycling was nice but a bit dull. I did see a replica of the Parthenon up on a hill in the middle of nowhere. It is called Walhalla, but it is a straight rip off of the Parthenon. It's probably in better condition though. Yesterday I saw a replica of the Pantheon on a hill above Kelheim. It wasn't as big as the real one and looked a bit like an observatory. The Parthenon rip off was halfway up a hill near a tiny village. It was like if someone built the Colosseum out the back of Aunty Julie's house at Kinchela. That's how out of place it looked. Apparently King Ludwig built quite a few odd things in odd places.

The weather started to turn nasty around 4 and I'd reached Straubing so I stopped. I was tempted to keep going as an almighty tailwind had whipped itself up, but it turned into a storm so I'm glad I stopped. Probably won't make Passau by tomorrow now though. Who cares.