We took a day off the grind of perpetual onward-ness. We were in Mandjala campsite, where we had taken a cabin. This was about 10km form Kurassaare, which is the largest and principal town on Sarimaare island. The ride in was pleasant; along a main road, but not much traffic and separated bike track that was very well maintained.
Started at a bike shop, because Katherine's bike had a problem that I forget what it was; they also replaced her rear inner tube and, as we have observed before, the mere fact that a professional did this meant it has not had to be reflated since Then coffee and lunch. The magazines of both the Cycling Touring Club and The Lindon Cycling Campaign stress the vital importance of cafes to cycling and cyclists. We agree. This was a very pleasant one.
Then to the information office for a few enquiries and to the castle and museum. One started with something about someone, actually an inquisitor, who got walled in on the orders of a medieval bishop. Walling in seemed to be a punishment used both here and in Haapsalu. Who knows how many as yet unknown walling-ins remain unknown, forgotten and undetected (this one was only found in the 19th century)? This gentleman had been seduced on purpose and then condemned for breaking his chastity vow ..... he was unwanted in the first place. The museum was rambling and very good. The best bits were about life in the Soviet years, including jokes written on the treads of the stairs. Did Stalin like jokes? Yes, he had two prison camps full of them. Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man; communism is the opposite. Etc. There was a section on individual persons' recollecdtions of significant events in their lives that was also good.
After the museum, dinner in a restaurant in a windmill, which we enjoyed. Cycling back 10 km in the evening in good weather was excellent .
Katherine has some photos of the castle. For some reasdon, I do not.
Tom
Started at a bike shop, because Katherine's bike had a problem that I forget what it was; they also replaced her rear inner tube and, as we have observed before, the mere fact that a professional did this meant it has not had to be reflated since Then coffee and lunch. The magazines of both the Cycling Touring Club and The Lindon Cycling Campaign stress the vital importance of cafes to cycling and cyclists. We agree. This was a very pleasant one.
Then to the information office for a few enquiries and to the castle and museum. One started with something about someone, actually an inquisitor, who got walled in on the orders of a medieval bishop. Walling in seemed to be a punishment used both here and in Haapsalu. Who knows how many as yet unknown walling-ins remain unknown, forgotten and undetected (this one was only found in the 19th century)? This gentleman had been seduced on purpose and then condemned for breaking his chastity vow ..... he was unwanted in the first place. The museum was rambling and very good. The best bits were about life in the Soviet years, including jokes written on the treads of the stairs. Did Stalin like jokes? Yes, he had two prison camps full of them. Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man; communism is the opposite. Etc. There was a section on individual persons' recollecdtions of significant events in their lives that was also good.
After the museum, dinner in a restaurant in a windmill, which we enjoyed. Cycling back 10 km in the evening in good weather was excellent .
Katherine has some photos of the castle. For some reasdon, I do not.
Tom
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