We followed the Dutch-German border Southward as closely as we could today, interesting experience.
We started in quite a beautiful dune-like area, where the path was sometimes along a steep fall – quite technical cycling.
The border stones all looked similar after a while.
Then a Roman road constitited the border line.
We crossed the border many times, most offen without any sign, but sometimes with gates.
Sometimes there was a fence alongside.
As usual borders have a lot of history. What we saw most of was WWII stuff, reminders of atrocities and many (small) bunkers.
Meinweg nature reserve is beautiful and even provided us with a good break opprtunity on a horse stables. Many of the cycling paths were so sandy though, that even pushing the bikes was very strenuous.
I found a supetmarket on the Dutch side and went in to get the usual, only to be shocked at all the signs and advertising being in German and there being much more coffee and cheese than usual. Upon my question it was explained that this was just 300m from the German border…
Excitingly we passed the narrowest part of the Netherlands, 4.8km, and the most Western point of Germany.
Sittard has a beautiful market square, where we ate – very reminiscent of France. Phil found us a beautiful hotel again.
