Rowing touring trip 2020 Würzburg-Collenberg

Arrived in Würzburg and the boats rigged up at the Würzburg rowing club, off we went on the first stage to Karlstadt. We made a stopover at the Zellingen rowing club. Our land service was already there too, and our first picnic in the loveliest weather could begin. After that we rowed on towards our first stage destination, Karlstadt. There, on a great campsite and right on the grounds of the Karlstadt rowing club, we pitched our tents. Some hopped into the open-air pool, others under the shower, and then it was straight off to dinner in the centre. We let the day wind down at mild temperatures on the jetty.

On the second day it was off to Lohr am Main. Breakfast under the open sky, pack up the tents and off. Think again!!! Our car wouldn't start any more and everything was delayed a little. The battery was apparently weak with age, but we got a jump start from very nice fellow rowers in Karlstadt, and now the land service could set off too. Today we ate our midday meal in Gemünden! On along the very calm and idyllic Main to Lohr. Arrived there, we set up the tents and air mattresses again and walked into the centre with a very big appetite. On the way back we then met Snow White (you didn't know that Snow White was from Lohr?) and the seven dwarfs. After a little chat in front of our tents, we then fell tired onto the air mattress.

The third day took us to Bettingen (Wertheim). Today we put out punctually and rowed in great nature to Marktheidenfeld. There we took our lunch break at the Marktheidenfeld Rowing Society. Here Jürgen, Elisabeth's husband, visited us and brought freshly brewed coffee – tasty! Now off on the last stage of the day, under the motorway bridge of the A3. There at the campsite in Bettingen we were lucky and were allowed to pitch our tents far from the traffic noise (we kept getting better/faster). Here we dined at the campsite's beer garden. Today, wine, crisps and chocolate finally fitted in after the meal too. We sat together a little longer, chatted and enjoyed the evening.

Last day, final sprint. Some complained of backs, bottoms, hands, etc., but the destination was near. Today, onto the sliding seat once more and rowed to Wertheim-Bestenheid. On the way through idyllic landscapes and along the beautiful banks of the Main, many a one also spotted a kingfisher. There we took a somewhat curious break, for our lunch spot lay in a small marina with steep walls and we had to get out at a quay wall. Fortified, off we went on the now really last stage, and Alex fetched the trailer from Würzburg with our bus. Now it was raining too and we arrived in Collenberg wet but happy.

All in all it was a lovely 120 km with locks, changing water, sun, wind, clouds, sore bottoms, back ouch, plasters, laughter, various birds (an albatross too!), double biscuits, getting out into the water, camping, air mattresses, etc. Thanks for the organisation and everything around it!

.