Monday 4th July

Day 5
Wittenberg to Streckby - 39.5 miles

A prompt 9.45 start saw us leave our hotel and, in descending order of importance, we visited Stadtkirche St Marien, Kommerzbank and Rewe.
The Stadtkirche had an amazing Altarpiece painted by Cranach der A as well as many other paintings by the other Cranach (Cranach der J). It was a beautiful church which was celebrating its 500th year.

                        Cranach Altarpiece

Then it was on to Kommerz bank which was not a pretty building but was one of note - in fact one of many beautiful €50 notes which we dutifully placed in our secure storage bag. Finally on to Rewe to replenish the yoghurt supplies and then at last on the road again by 10.30.

The first part of our route led us along the landward side of the River Elbe's flood defences which had been noticeably improved since the 2013 floods. We saw a number of green woodpeckers, an enormous hare, black kites (the winged variety) and no houses, farms, or in fact many people.
Eventually we arrived at Worlitz which is famous for its Unesco protected park. This is the third time I have been through Worlitz and I still haven't visited the park. Mind you it looks just like Roundhay Park in Leeds so I'm not sure I'm missing much.

                      Entrance to Worlitz

After taking our lunch break in the cafe (cold cucumber soup with prawns) we continued through lovely woodlands and farm land towards Dessau.

                             Jagdbrucke

                Large fish under the bridge

We never actually saw Dessau-Rosslau as we skirted the town via many ponds and lakes and a rather wearing unmade Radweg. We did notice a stork that had stopped work in the fields. The farmer was waiting in his combine as the stork continued its grazing in front of him. As we left the farmer tried starting the tractor again but seemed to give in and take a lunch break!  Our route continued and we rather regretted taking the scenic route to Aken as the hardcore cycle way was rough and about 12km long. We did see a shepherd and his sheep and a lot of flies so we were extremely pleased when we suddenly arrived at the ferry from Aken to Steutz.

We were even more pleased that there was a nice cafe there where we could indulge ourselves in Apfelkuchen and Eiscafe.

Our final leg of the day's journey took us across the river and we leisurely cycled the 6km to the Biber Pension in the village of Steckby. This area is famous for its beavers (there are 1200 in the Mittelelbe Reserve), sea eagles, ospreys and the rare black stork, but we have only seen lots of yellowhammers.
Showered and rested we are about to go for a beer and supper. Aaah.

             Beer of the day - Krostritzer Edel