Monday - The Ride Day 2
Oh Dear! - the travellers have been all together too sure of themselves! - did they really think the weather gods had decided to transfer their attentions to the southern hemisphere? - the weather gods have regrouped their attack troops and have brought them to bear on the travellers as their emerge from the overnight protections of Patria - they will need stoic determination to reach Heidelberg.
The deep ports question their decision to join the travellers but join anyway. The committed followers of the Cycling god join Archbishop Harper on a special pilgrim’s way - through spruce forest - along pristine pavements on specially selected cycling steads.
The less committed amongst the travellers are suitably chastised by the cycling god - along muddy path - through forest that would be stunning had the weather gods been less irritated - through villages that would have been more inviting had the weather gods granted them dispensation - through misty vistas along the Neckar.
The weather gods laugh - the weather gods laugh some more – did these “smart alex” antipodeans really think they can outsmart the northern weather gods? – the weather gods play with them – after all they have a contract to deliver summer weather but cannot resist one last chance to have some fun.
They respect their agreement with the cycling god and provide the committed cyclists with acceptable weather but they annoy and annoy the less committed of the cyclists – the less committed of the cyclist make a bee-line for the Patria – they attack the finish line with such determination that they beat Patria – they gather at the finish line anxiously awaiting Patria’s arrival immediately outside the centre of old Heidelberg – they watch her berth – they urge her to complete her berthing – they board her – they test the capacity of her hot water supplies – she fails.
Not such a great day for the riders – they are stoic – they line up for the tours of old Heidelberg – they are not just stoic they are fascinated and interested travellers.
The travellers return from their tours – they love old Heidelberg – they love the students – they love their fellow travellers – they love the pubs – they are impressed with 13% beers – they are impressed with the brass monkey’s hindquarters that guards the entrance to old town – the monkey’s appendages clearly tell the people of the right bank what the people of old Heidelberg think of them.
