Great 1000-km tandem trip just concluded into Budapest from Regensburg, through 12 days of baking Central European heat down the shockingly dry and low Danube (climate change, anyone?) and with warmest thanks to stoker Jutta on the back and steed Daisy below.

Both arriving in rudest of health, though one of the two did need a spoke replacing…

Warm memories of heuriger wine in Vienna, of learning Hungarian (rusty as hell) and enjoying pre- and post-Communist Hungary in the early 80s and onwards, and of crazy solo bike ride hence in 2008.

Home gradually next week.

Arm = selfie stick in Bratislava, with Europe’s most shocking motorway through the heart of the old town. Thanks 1970s Communist planners, making a point

Bratislava. Seriously relaxed and delightful.

At the start of the trip. Valhalla, just outside Regensburg, pantheon of German heroes.

Danube sunset. Our first night wild camping alongside same.

Spot on the Austrian Danube where I camped in April 2008 solo cycling to Budapest. It was a LOT wetter then, and raining solidly as the Danube lapped at the door of the tent…

Cool looks at Melk monastery.

The Dry Danube.

More dry Danube.

Zwentendorf nuclear power station in Austria, never fired up and on the night we pedalled past scene of a VERY loud rock concert.

Danube cycle path

Danube sunset with bridge.

Typical campsite. Here at the almost dried-out Zicksee where we used to go windsurfing with the boys in the early 80s. In this dry, hot summer, echoes of the Aral Sea in the former Soviet Union

Dry Zicksee. No longer swimmable, let alone windsurfable.

Budapest. We’re there.