Xanten

The Rhine Cycle Path, Day Nine:

Duisberg to Xanten: some lovely, rolling countryside and cycling along the top of dykes, though it was hard work navigating out of Duisberg and too often the Cycle Path was that little bit too far away from the River itself. Plus we had to change an inner tube at the side of a deserted gravel track – the new wheel, naturally – though at least we found a tree to shelter under whilst we sere doing it. Xanten is a pleasant little town, if sleepy, especially on a Sunday afternoon. Our accommodation was a funny bed and (not) breakfast, in a rambling house by the park, run by an argumentative old couple (with each other, not us), who showed us how to work the coffee machine and then (thankfully) retreated into the rear of the premises for the duration of our stay. We thought we might struggle to fine victuals but actually chanced upon a really good vegan restaurant, Petersilchen, just up from the Dom, where we feasted on excellent flammkuchen and salad with a middle-eastern twist…