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.

Regensburg!!!

Decided to hire bikes to ride down river into Regensburg- electric bikes, but didn,t use it much (Magnier pride). After few hours in Regensburg- marvellous spot- too late to ride back so got on train. Few snags and had to be helped by very friendly lady conductress. Costly day as we broke mirror off one of bikes- 20 pounds extra! This part of Germany absolutely pristine! Bavaria so neat, colourful and clean- no litter. Costly business travelling-especially those drink stops.

Calais to Regensburg

Yes we did it-600 miles. Motorways are brilliant, occasional snarl ups, but we got to Regensburg by 6pm. Only campsite in town FULL! Not to worry. Tom Tom found us a brill site- 25 miles away!

Sat 23rd July 2011

Started early but hit the M25, had a nosey at Dover then ate at Folkstone.