July 16

July 16th (sunny and very warm)
Most of today we spent sitting in the beautiful backyard drinking beer with Alfred and Anneliese. They wondered if we wanted “to do or see anything in particular”, but we reminded them that we have been travelling and seeing so much for the last two months, it is just great to “sit and enjoy absolutely nothing”. We did, however, look at Anneliese’s pictures from her and Alfred’s 25th Silver Anniversary. Anneliese really goes all out for celebrations. This was as formal and cost more than most weddings would.
After a couple of delicious German beer in the very hot afternoon, and a long walk in and around Mecklar, we rode bicycles 20 kms round trip to a pizza place in Rotenburg and did not return until dark. I do not ever remember riding a bike that long in my whole life. We stopped halfway home at a lakeside and had another large beer. George proceeded to jump in the lake to cool off. My knees held out fine, but I won’t write what else sure hurt afterwards. Needless to say, it was to bed after that.
We are having a wonderful time and I can honestly say that the last couple of days have been too warm.