Beware, this is a long blog. Take a deep breath, jump in, but be prepared to navigate in manageable segments. Yes, the tent last night stayed dry inside, as did the sleeping gear, and I even dreamed of warm and snuggly sleeping bags. OK, I have had to wear my socks and expensive 100% waterproof … Read more …
The less said about today’s ride the better. Eighty-four hard, and for the second half spectacularly wet miles (see grey pic above), the last 30 slogging through a succession of thunderstorms in a vain search for a warm dry B&B. I’ve ended up having to put up the tent anyway, in Tulln on the Danube … Read more …
The banks of the Danube, which I reached today and along which I ploughed for a healthy total of 83 miles into a ferocious headwind, are indeed flat, as expected. But they’re also, to be honest, a bit boring, despite the last couple of days’ fabulous explosion all around of tree blossoms in this very … Read more …
Now into my fifth week on the road since leaving home on Easter Day, this was one amazing day’s ride. 64 miles heading east from Salzburg through Austrian pre-Alpine landscape for which the word idyllic was invented. Stayed last night with Dart Centre friend and colleague Susan Moeller at the Schloss Leopoldskron in Salzburg, home … Read more …
Of course another reason why Bavaria and the Northern Alps are so green, apart from the muckspreadng, is that it rains. A lot. Yesterday was glorious sunshine. But today, as I approach Salzburg, it’s back to form. Hence shot above of another serious biker encountered today, togged like me to the gills for the rain … Read more …
The Alpine flowers are at last beginning to bloom. Very late, but delightful. Mum, this photo was for you! And on the same theme, the green of the meadows here in the German south takes one’s breath away. How do they do it? Like the English lawn, it’s easy. Just nurture/roll/manure for hundreds of years. … Read more …
After spending an hour this morning re-posting my Serious Wistful Thoughts from yesterday, which Blogger.Com had got all confused, I’m going to try one post today with three pix, and then a separate one just with pix, but text will refer to both. Make sense? If yes, then read on. After yesterday’s thoughts about the … Read more …
Having trouble wth the blog today, so first text, then photos. I promise I will write that blog on Why Blog At All, but it’s been a thought-provoking kind of day – my 58th birthday, and thanks to many of you for the kindest of emailed wishes – and there are Other Things that are … Read more …
Here the photos to go with the last blog. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device Read more …
Pictures from a glorious, snowy, sunny, Alpine day that don’t need to wait… Neuschwanstein Castle near Füssen, 25 miles into today’s ride, and the inspiration for all those Disneyland theme parks. Built by Bavaria’s beloved but eccentric King Ludwig II 1869-86, before the government of the day had him declared mad and locked away. But … Read more …