Ballenstedt

The manager of our hostel wasn’t too happy when I called him at 7.00 this morning. We wanted to get on the road and he wanted to sleep in. The clock shows 7.35 by the time we pass through Benzingerode. NO shops open on a Sunday except cafes and there’s hardly a car on the road. Wonderful!A few were around by the time we rolled down into Blankenburg. A McDonalds was open so we stopped for breakfast. Coffee was good but the food was worst than I can remember.🤭We were looking for the route ( sometimes hidden by the bushes ) when these young fellows showed us the way . If anyone speaks English we never miss a chance to get local knowledge. ( usual questions, where are you from , where are you going, how old are you?) Along this Romanesque road there’s some stunning houses….and some that never should have started like this mans attempt to put a house on top of an old guard towerReider. There’s a train enthusiast lives here. The whole front lawn is a model railwayFor the last 5kms into Ballenstedt we found this fantastic concrete path on an old railway line. It’s only just been laid !We arrive just after lunch , plenty of time to enjoy a flower and music afternoon in the park. I just love the novel ideas the food vendors useThe ice-cream manThe coffee manThe hot dog ladyWe settled for coffee and cake then sat back to enjoy the music . It’s 2 hours before we can check in to our hotel so it’s a nice way to pass the time.