Stats

I have to estimate because when the battery went flat it reset the tripometer.
Estimated 4600 miles.
We used 334 litres which cost £425.
Average 59 to the gallon
Drivers internal door catch broken

France

Decided to make it back to Calais, as TomTom did not have french maps we struggled to start. £40 in tolls to cross france, arrived at the chunnel 5 days early and told they were too busy and to try the next day. Not impressed with the camp site at Cap Gri-Nez. Chunnel arrived back in UK for 9am, down to dunginess for a bird of birding, then back home.

Black forest

Up early again, stopped for tea, fantastic clock and glass shop. Camped in Oberried. Went for a tough hot walk through the forest.

Donaueschingen

Started the day going to Sigmaringen, driving along impressive danube valley till we arrived in Donaueschingen. Hired bikes and cycled out of town along the Danube, we had a great view of some red kites. Tough cycling back into the wind. Phot at the start of the river.

Bodensee

Up early again, decided not to stop at Innsbruck and carried on to Bodensee, great scenary along to Innsbruck. Nicki had a swim then we had a stroll. Thunder and rain over night.

Salzburg

Traveled across to Salzburg, set camp then caught the bus into town. Very clean and pleasant centre, views from the castle hill great, so many bikes in town. Stayed late in dom square to listen to church bells playing Mozart. We then watched as all those attending the evenings opera arrived.
Had a cold meat platter evening meal above campsite.

After stopping at the service station "Landzeit" it was hard to think anything was going to top it. But Hallstatt is a sensational place. Still misty this morn so walked up Waldburg to see the fantastic waterfalls, then clouds cleared this after, up the funicular to the saltmine. great place, great day.

Austria

Arrived Hallstatt, raining, cloudy, 12 degrees cooler, but a stunning place. Fingers croddes for some bright weather tomorrow.

Hungary-again

It really is a brill country. We went to Lake Balaton, 'inland sea'. WE had great campsites at two locations. Visited the local town of Vesprem in the early evening, was magic. At other end went to Hevez-an open air, thermal baths comples bit like a Hungarian Hoar Cross, but at 7 pounds each infinitely cheaper. Swam in the thermal lake amongst the lilies!
Moved on to Sumeg castle and stumbled across a summer festival inclusing a brill medieval joust. Didn't have a clue what they said, but cheered at the right moments. Un fortunately none of knights spotted me to give his favout to! (bad english Iknow)
This morning....Kis marshland and then slipped into Austria.

More Romania

Had fantasitc trip on lake, saw Roman reains not accessible by road. Tried to be tourist at Iron Gate, but Romanians not geered up for it, think we are still from other side of iron curtain.
Left Orsova and travelled into unknown yet again as tourist info is limited. Found ourselves in amazing mountain scape, but along with a Blackpool version of Romanians. Did a mamoth drive to almost border and left it very late but found great pension for the night in Lubaj.
Up with the lark as usual, no breakfast and off towards Hungary. Got out of Romania easier than we got in.

Romania

So much to remember. Cluj Napoca was not a lttle town- it was a city and really caught us out. Luckily found the "I" by accient, spoke English and sert us on our way to a campsite. It was in a lovely setting , but very basic. Good meal locally, and very cheap. Next day was a long drive.
Ended up in the mountains area and had a wonderful setting for camping in a German owned campsite. The area is obviodly attrtacting Germans for second homes as it was very affluent.
Left there to make the long drive towards the Delta. Unable to find camp sites-ended up in a very posh hotel in Galati-realised we needed to cross the river on a ferry the next day. Ended up in the port of Tulcea where every Romanian on hliday was attempting to get the ferry down the Danube 'Canal' to the delta wetlands. It was unbelevable- standing room only for a 3 hour trip! We stayed in a family run guest house in Cresan-authentic Romanian. We had an amzing few days including proper Romaian meals, meeting a youn Romanian couple and 2 brilliant boat trips into the delta.
The queue back was really querky-loads of passengers. no room on ferry, extra boat needed. Eventually made it back to Tulcera. Car OK. but we had left the lights on|!!!
Friendly Italians next to us allowed us to jump start car. Are we lucky or what?
From Tulcea made the next trup tothe 'real' Black Sea- really touristy-above Constanta. Swam in sea, very warm, set out again next day to refind the Danube-long drive- through Bucharest- 46degrees!!!!
Eventually made it to the 'Iron Gate" and are now in a lake area on the Danuve called Orsiva-Serbia opposite. Boat trip tomorrow, hotel tonight as there are no camp sites.

Budapest

Left Slovakia on a grey Monday morning. Crossed border via a bridge over the Danube into Hungary. Everything looked better straight away-countrside, houses and the people much friendlier. Stoped at beginning of the Danube bend, old capital Esztagon, fabulous church on hill-likened to St Peters in Rome. Had first Hungarian breakfast in little cafe-traditional pancakes-yummy. Altogether a different feel. Campsite basic, not very full as having their worst Summer ever. Next day in Budapest. City very grand and spead out along river like London. Royal palace impesive and St Matthius church amazing very hot. City feels good, prices reasonable, people friendly, good day walking. Tomorrow-Romania.

Bratislava

Or Pressburg to the Germans - practising for quiz league- Stopped of and did 5 mile walk in National Park on Danube-very pleasanr. Arrived Bratislava mid afternoon and had a few problems- Dave needs glasses very badly- mis read peaks for campsites and we ended up in a quarry then a suburb ob a hill. Eventually found Information at Rail station- very ofputting lady- very much Soviet style and a car park attendant who tried to rip us off. Felt bit down , but got to centre thanks to trusty Tom Tom. Proper Tourist info got us to campsite bit outside, Zlate Piesky.- bit like a run down Butlins, but hot showers and pleasant lake. Ate in local restaurant- what they lack in friendliness they make up for in very cheap prices for lovely food. Dave did mot choose the bull testicles and mushrooms, however. Slatted down all night and very wet and miserable next day- got on with it and enjoyed some very interesting architecture. Historic centre ok.

Wein

Stayed 20 kms outside in lovely town - Klosterneuberg.Raining so we opted for the official tour bus which did include a visit and look around the Schonbrun Summer palace of Theresa- brilliant. Night of rain, but brighter next morning. Took bus and train into city infortunately mistook normal train for underground and found ourselves in new suburb and had to get back to centre. The city on foot was marvellous, city ring highlights were tour of opwera house-fabulous, awesome, but no opera at present-in Salzburg. Hope to catch up with them there. Also Hofburg palaces- so grand. Everywhere was just so grand, so pristine, so expensive. Wanted some new shoes, but 500 euros was a little too much for my birthday.

Melk to Krem

Arrived Melk, sorted campsite, hired bikes to Krem and back. I mis-read miles for kms 19 kms was in fact 19 miles- in total. Beautiful weather and biking through orchards of trees laden with apricots, apples, pears and grape vines. Had to buy apricots as Dave would not let me scrump. Dúrstein on way back was magic- so was the ice-cream.

Regensburg-Passau-Grein

Dropped into Passau late morning. Another stunning settin on Danube. Shame St Peter,s was getting a face lift. 3 rivers Inns. Ils and Danube join. Saw an amazing River Cruiser- luxury bedrooms, lounge dining etc. Views from citadel stunning. Continued through Linz- I was driving!!! Didn,t stop very industrial. Got to small town on Danube- Grein , again very picturesque. Campsite by river. Hoping to slow down tomorrow and walk - bike the Wachau.