Lost in the forest & more detours.

Today we were meant to go 10kms to the town of Stromberg, where we were to be  collected and driven to our accommodation, 5kms off the path, in the village of Genheim.  We accidentally got a lift - not because we were trying, but because of where we were resting, and somehow we managed to still do 12.7 kilometres!

Poppies brightened our day

Paths through fields, ....

..... and forest,

... and even through golf courses, with a warning to watch out for flying golf balls!

We missed Hildergard at one point, or rather we ignored where she was pointing, as there appeared to be no path to turn onto.  This meant a rather lovely, but unnecessarily, long detour back to her, where she pointed us across a grassy field.  We looked hard to try and distinguish some sort of path amongst the grass, and we were on on our way again.  

Hildegard is pointing.......

....... to the path ......

..... and we are off on it

We had a delightful lunch break in the village of Schöneberg, collecting a stamp in our credencials, visiting the beautiful stone church (and having a sing), and checking out the herb garden filled with herbs favoured by Hildergard.  

The church in Schöneberg, with highly perfumed yellow roses in front. 

Having then laboured up quite a steep climb we came to the village of Schindeldorf which sits along the ridge line.  We should have turned off part way, but we weren't paying attention to Hildergard, and we blithely carried on along the ridge.  We were resting, and trying to work out our next move, on a conveniently placed bench marked with a sign mitfahrerbank, when a lady stopped her car and asked if we were resting or wanted a ride - she was going the 2kms to Stromberg.  Quick as a flash Edith said that yes we were going to Stromberg and we would love a ride.  It turns out that there are numerous benches like this dotted around the area, and if you sit on them it is very likely someone will stop and offer a ride!

This bench is just like the one we sat on in Schindeldorf, but this one is in Genheim

After an early dinner in Stromberg our host arrived and drove us to the Pension we are staying in tonight, and,  after breakfast in the morning, he will drive us back there for us to resume our journey. 

We ate an early dinner at the pizzeria situated in the red roofed building, Stromberg. 

The churches in this area are made of beautiful stone.  This is in Genheim, and was not open, but today has been quite successful with finding others open.