The Elbe flows quickly through the historic city of Muhlberg. We follow slowly hugging the cycle path, sheltered by the corn fields from the icy biting rain.
In a landscape of exquisite beauty peppered with fairytale palaces, imposing chateaus and stately mansions, we stop to explore the decrepit Promnitz Sloss (Castle).
The impeccably mannered Mr Wolf-Nicol von Wolffersdorff leaves me spellbound taking us on a personal guided tour of the crumbling pile. Mr Wolf-Nicol claims to be a direct descendant of good King Gustav who built the sloss in 1603. I liked the restored 1950’s room which is furnished in items only manufactured in the former East Germany (GDR). Wolfs concession, I believe, to local authorities.
Personally Wolf would like to see the aristocracy re-established along with the annexation of Poland, to create a Greater Germany. Sound familiar?
The cobblestoned, tourist infested, Dresden market square is ringed with classical baroque architecture. At its centre the Lutheran Fravenkirche (Church) receives the loving attention of the faithful artisans who are restoring the edifice to its former glory. It was a different story on the 13th of February 1945 when the Church along with Dresden reaped the whirlwind of war.
However irrational, in my minds eye, I kept looking for places to hide: That alcove across the square or perhaps that tunnel which runs down to the Elbe itself?
We cycle the broad river flats through Saxony Switzerland.
At Konigstein, we met Jochen, who told us he is cycling around Germany with only one leg.
“I want to give inspiration to one legged cyclists everywhere!”

Sloss Promnitz