Yesterday was magical - I want to return - "no - no - no" says Mihai the bearded - "today we ride - today we see ruins" - "good" says Knud - "But - but - but - but" says Knud - "I also want to see the organic winery!" - the unflappable Mihai the bearded responds "I will check!"
Riders and sundry are loaded into the bus - the bike trailer is attached - the environs of Tulcea are left behind.
The riders are disgorged and ride - they ride through villages on acceptable roads - the incline kind - the biker riders/ - a source of interest for the locals!
The bus and the slackers among the travellers wait for the riders at the entrance to Monastere Celic Dere - the driver smokes and smokes just a little more - when the riders arrive and the Mihai's all are photographed with the arch angels and the female travellers insist on yet another photographic demonstration of female cycling power.
The monastery pleasant and extensive - the riders return to the bus commenting about the modernity of the Monastery's nuns - they have whipper-snippers with which to maintain the institutions extensive lawns in pristine condition - not quite the scythes of past times but not exactly conducive to meditation either - of a strawberry saleslady complete with Italian shoulder bag.
It is only 11:00 - we stop for lunch in the fields of Celic Dere - why so early? - because the amazing Mihai the bearded has managed to arrange the organic winery visit requested by Knud for later in the day - that visit comes complete with tasting and appetizers - the Rad Reisen tour brochure indicates that a lunch will be served so the Mihais refuse to countenance any notion of not offering the service.
A stock handler wanders along in casual pursuit of his small mob of cattle as they take delight in thinning the Monastery's lupin crop - He wanders across - speaks to the Mihais - "where are they from?" - "Australia" - "Austrians" - "no Australians!" - he wanders off stick in hand to convince the cows that chewing the monastery's crops was not conducive to the longevity of either - the cows fully aware of how far they could test his patience before the stick was applied to them - the result was that the stick was never applied.
The riders head off again - "a few hills" says Mihai the bearded - they are closer to mountains - some of the riders join the bus before the monastery is reached and all of the riders have exchanged saddle for bus seat. when they arrive at the monastery they admire the tapestries - they admire the nun's habits - they admire the Nun's view over their private lake.
"They are fast" says Mihai the bearded - "we are too early for the winery" - he diverts the bus to see the flooded plain of the Danube - we look out over the plain - we are note remnants of the wars - we imagine the Germans looking out over the Danube.
The riders head off again - "a few hills" says Mihai the bearded - they are closer to mountains - some of the riders join the bus before the monastery is reached and all of the riders have exchanged saddle for bus seat. when they arrive at the monastery they admire the tapestries - they admire the nun's habits - they admire the Nun's view over their private lake.
"They are fast" says Mihai the bearded - "we are too early for the winery" - he diverts the bus to see the flooded plain of the Danube - we look out over the plain - we are note remnants of the wars - we imagine the Germans looking out over the Danube.
We turn on to a Romanian rural road - past farm and farm - past vines - past crops - we reach the winery - completely unimpressive from the road - only marginally more impressive on entry.
We enter the winery - a work in progress - small but neat and tidy - an enthusiastic Italian winemaker who 15 years past had fallen for the obvious attractions of a Romanian maiden - he guides us through the winery - he lays out nibbles before us - some tastes of local foods" says he - they are tastes that are more than tastes - more than tastes in volume and quality – Carp - from back – from belly – smoked – mackerel and sardine - his offering gains universal approval from even those with life long aversions to delicacies of this ilk.
He offers his wines - they demonstrate the merging of the Italian and the Romanian - they receive commendation from all - pockets are searched and purchases made!
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