Off to the station in Salzburg - up the lift - down the lift - up another lift - down another - bugger - drag the bags up the stairs - train arrives - is this the right one - don't know - ask the conductor - sure is - let's go - make sure those bags do not go astray.
On through the Austrian country side past lots of small villages - sun is shining, kids out on bikes and people having their first swims of the season.
Changing trains at Wels onto a regional train to Passau - will we have time to find the next train?
Multiple greens - forests - more greens - so many greens - stripes of green, patches of green, spots of green, specks of green, carpets of green - greener than the emerald isle. Green trees, green fields, green crops, green weeds - even green power transmission pole
Change trains at Wels - no problems - sit beside nice young Austrian mother - goes to tech school in Linz everyday for 20 weeks - conductor comes along - in rapid German tells us something. - she intervenes - there has been a derailment down the line - we will have to change to a bus and then back to a train before we reach Passau - never mind she says - she will guide us!
On to the bus - where in the hell are we going? - never mind - having to take a bus rather than a train makes us feel at home!
The rain clouds gather - will they be followed by our first rain of the trip? - maybe - maybe not - yep - probably - light and tolerable so far.
Arrive Passau - nice taxi driver - arrive hotel - are you from Albury too? - where are the others - restaurant down the street - meet and greet - schnitzel and white wine - a bit more rain - retire with the others for the complimentary glass of bubbly - swap travel stories - head to bed
Rise for breakfast - meet the others - Reillys and Rodds arrive - Robbs on the train - Pam and Andrew still 100 away - pity about this rain - it has settled in.
Wander town - pass boats - around point - museum of modern art - almost drawn down a country avenue into the distance by a piece by Albett
Back to square - coffee - bad - off to organ recital in the church
Church - figures - murals - figures - looking at you - looking into distance - approving - disapproving - asking where you have been - smiling- frowning - pointing things out to you - ignoring you - entertaining you - cherubs - angels holding tablets of the psalms. Decoration - over the top - beutiful murals on the roof and upper chambers - no stained glass - golden pulpit - murals on roof and walls - vaulted ceilings - lower walls mostly plain - top over-compensates.
Huge organ - biggest in the world? - back of the church -
Church replaced one after the fire in 1600s. Baroque - italian craftsmen
Sit toward front on Richard's advice - sound peaceful - tone terrific - powerful - pin drops in the silence between pieces - will this silence and reverence last? - no! - some coughing - distracting - annoying - next piece strong - drives away the distraction - up the scale - down - up in power - down again - gentle wander through. a field - busy - building - still building - anticipation - something about to happen - nothing - an even keel - a little faster - this is pleasant but what is it trying to to say - relax - don't worry - life goes on enjoy it - enjoy a long life - things will come and go - close your eyes - let the music take over - finishing - no - keeps going - good - prepare to finish - ok to finish now - feel like clapping
Next piece - gentle - like a stream - on and on -change of scene - around a corner - bells gently chime - around the bend again - something is different - this isn't like any organ music I have heard before - feels like a canoe ride down a stream - encounter calm and not so calm waters and peaceful and not so peaceful glades - end in an unpleasant place - wake up - forget the unpleasantness - it is only transient - back to the peaceful times - love this!
People clap - haven't heard that in church before.
Lunch is important - Parma baguette and Pinot gricio
Lots of bikes - not just tourists
Back for a nana nap.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Boarding the boat
Passau Day 2 - the day of departure
Meet the Royals in the foyer - out to dinner - Royals , K& E and Chris Harper - down a side lane - where in the hell is he taking us - rain is pouring down - i hope he has this all planned - sure does - good night - great music - good food - Austrian wine tasting - vineyard close to the Hungarian border - Pickler's - surprisingly good reds - run out of money - borrow from Chris - feel guilty - head out in the rain to the teller - forget umbrella - return wet but with a fat wallet - others now showing signs of settling in for the night - eventually convince the others to leave - in moment of madness tell Knud I will join them in the a ride out to meet up with Pam and Andrew.
Breakfast early - down to the bike shop - hire bikes - 12 euros for the days - do you need a deposit - no! ( says he with a puzzled look) - back to the hotel - check out and store luggage - back to the bike shop and off.
Knud - great rider - fair to middling navigator - Erica - steady calm - great rider - first encounter with bike traffic lights - stunned by the robust handles attached to the traffic light poles to enable the riders to balance while waiting for the lights to change - off out of Passau - hope I don't get lost - not sure what Knud is up to - off out of town - ah - now I get it - those little green signs reveal the real Danube bike trail - watch for the markings on the bike trail surface.
Continue on out of town - ah this is nice - along the hot mix track beside a regional road - look down to forest - plenty more of those greens -
Oh bugger - hot mix has gone - solid compacted gravel - not too bad - just a little harder to push -
Hell there a lot of cyclists coming towards us - all stoically pushing on - all in Danube biker riders uniform - all with ladened panniers - all with rain covers and suitable wet weather attire - hope it doesn't rain. - I am not equipped.
Push on - I follow Erica - Knud rushes ahead only to pause and return after a navigation issue
Lots of Zimmers and cafes along the way - along here you could stop and have a coffee every few kilometers
Track cuts up from time to time under the persistent bombardment of nature - regular repairs of the gravel leave some loose patches that toss the bike sideways and remind you that there is at least some need to concentrate on the your riding rather than the scenery.
Keep pushing on - haven't ridden for a while - tail ok but legs suffering - these hire bikes are actually pretty good - no rain
Reach the meeting point for Pam and Andrew - no sign of them - furious texting back and forwards - we swear about the lousy roaming sims - wander over to boat club - met by a local member - want a coffee - honesty system - where are you from? - never been there - must go! - more boat members arrive - kangaroo signs emanate from his friends - smiles - very pleasant people.
Eventually text messaging successful and there is furious waving across the Danube.
Pam wants to continue on the north bank - she is really keen on using the bike ferry just downstream - her heart is set on it - Pam there is no bike ferry between here and Passau - believe us - we are observant! - we would have seen one if it existed - Pam relents - ok they will come with us along the south bank to Passau - oh - bugger that does look like a bike ferry - Pam insists that we pose in front of the ferry - the ferry that never existed! - we go quite - suitably chastised and really a little sad for Pam.
Onwards to Passau
Time to head for the boat - dump our luggage on board - you cannot register until to 5:00pm - off to a nearby restaurant equipped with a cranky waiter - sit outside - he knows the tables now and settles down - down comes the rain - everyone relocates inside disrupting the restaurant and making him lose complete track of who owed who for what! - his humor did not improve- people happy to meet each other - the late comers arrive - where are Margaret and Gary - ah there they are - now where is Pam - Andrew takes a photo of the castle on the other side of the Danube up an enormous hill - labels the photo " last sighting of your mother"
Lots of drink - not sure if the cranky waiter ended up happy or not - on to the boat - Bernie tries to check in with a nice Danish lady who just happened to be another passenger - that problem aside we check in and get to our cabins - not too bad - top deck with a great view.
Back to the lounge for the briefing on tomorrow's ride.
Dinner - average but the company great - royals and reilly's
Meet the Royals in the foyer - out to dinner - Royals , K& E and Chris Harper - down a side lane - where in the hell is he taking us - rain is pouring down - i hope he has this all planned - sure does - good night - great music - good food - Austrian wine tasting - vineyard close to the Hungarian border - Pickler's - surprisingly good reds - run out of money - borrow from Chris - feel guilty - head out in the rain to the teller - forget umbrella - return wet but with a fat wallet - others now showing signs of settling in for the night - eventually convince the others to leave - in moment of madness tell Knud I will join them in the a ride out to meet up with Pam and Andrew.
Breakfast early - down to the bike shop - hire bikes - 12 euros for the days - do you need a deposit - no! ( says he with a puzzled look) - back to the hotel - check out and store luggage - back to the bike shop and off.
Knud - great rider - fair to middling navigator - Erica - steady calm - great rider - first encounter with bike traffic lights - stunned by the robust handles attached to the traffic light poles to enable the riders to balance while waiting for the lights to change - off out of Passau - hope I don't get lost - not sure what Knud is up to - off out of town - ah - now I get it - those little green signs reveal the real Danube bike trail - watch for the markings on the bike trail surface.
Continue on out of town - ah this is nice - along the hot mix track beside a regional road - look down to forest - plenty more of those greens -
Oh bugger - hot mix has gone - solid compacted gravel - not too bad - just a little harder to push -
Hell there a lot of cyclists coming towards us - all stoically pushing on - all in Danube biker riders uniform - all with ladened panniers - all with rain covers and suitable wet weather attire - hope it doesn't rain. - I am not equipped.
Push on - I follow Erica - Knud rushes ahead only to pause and return after a navigation issue
Lots of Zimmers and cafes along the way - along here you could stop and have a coffee every few kilometers
Track cuts up from time to time under the persistent bombardment of nature - regular repairs of the gravel leave some loose patches that toss the bike sideways and remind you that there is at least some need to concentrate on the your riding rather than the scenery.
Keep pushing on - haven't ridden for a while - tail ok but legs suffering - these hire bikes are actually pretty good - no rain
Reach the meeting point for Pam and Andrew - no sign of them - furious texting back and forwards - we swear about the lousy roaming sims - wander over to boat club - met by a local member - want a coffee - honesty system - where are you from? - never been there - must go! - more boat members arrive - kangaroo signs emanate from his friends - smiles - very pleasant people.
Eventually text messaging successful and there is furious waving across the Danube.
Pam wants to continue on the north bank - she is really keen on using the bike ferry just downstream - her heart is set on it - Pam there is no bike ferry between here and Passau - believe us - we are observant! - we would have seen one if it existed - Pam relents - ok they will come with us along the south bank to Passau - oh - bugger that does look like a bike ferry - Pam insists that we pose in front of the ferry - the ferry that never existed! - we go quite - suitably chastised and really a little sad for Pam.
Onwards to Passau
Time to head for the boat - dump our luggage on board - you cannot register until to 5:00pm - off to a nearby restaurant equipped with a cranky waiter - sit outside - he knows the tables now and settles down - down comes the rain - everyone relocates inside disrupting the restaurant and making him lose complete track of who owed who for what! - his humor did not improve- people happy to meet each other - the late comers arrive - where are Margaret and Gary - ah there they are - now where is Pam - Andrew takes a photo of the castle on the other side of the Danube up an enormous hill - labels the photo " last sighting of your mother"
Lots of drink - not sure if the cranky waiter ended up happy or not - on to the boat - Bernie tries to check in with a nice Danish lady who just happened to be another passenger - that problem aside we check in and get to our cabins - not too bad - top deck with a great view.
Back to the lounge for the briefing on tomorrow's ride.
Dinner - average but the company great - royals and reilly's
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Day 1
The Ride - day 1
What will it be like - how will the inexperienced go - christine and sam worried - apprehension all round - chilly - will it rain - what should we carry - how will we carry it - experienced try to cheer up the inexperienced - the inexperienced not sure to beleive them - are they just trying to make us feel better - what will these bikes be like - will the path be rough -
Bernie confesses her overnight dream - she rides past the boat - gets lost - the wiggles send out a search party - they find her - chastise her for being a naughty girl - demand that she grab hold of the cardboard door handles on the wiggles car and chugga chugga back to the boat.
Breakfast - make up your own lunch from the breakfast table - line up to find a bike - find it and set it up - make sure you know the number - label it with your cabin number - back to the boat - register your bike - insure it - Get your panniers and bike lock - seek out your preferred traveling companions.
We team up with the Royals - Ok which way - down to the ferry - pay your euros - over to the left bank - on our way - still chilly - some sunshine - sam takes the lead - nice bitumen 'track - bet it gets worst from here - track continues to be good - past some small hamlets - amazed at the intricate woodpiles - green - green - forest - forest - wide river - wide river - another hamlet - look at that minature schrine - another hamlet - sun emerges - still chilly - but - but - but this is great - path continues to be perfect - trees get greener - river look better - occasionally another biker passes us - oh there is a serious rider out training - very few cars - ah now no cars at all - off on to a dedicated bike path - great sights - what are those poor people back in albury doing.
Ah here is the first decision point - do we continue along the left bank and ride some more up to the next ferry or do we cross here - that pub on the other side looks pretty good - pay the ferryman - off to the pub.
Sit up on the balcony overlooking the Danube to the steep forests of the left bank - coffee pretty good but the swans, the ducks and scenery much better - sam proud of herself - she has already earned the title of "domestique" for her leadership of our small pack - she confesses that she just wanted to ride alone to gain confidence - we all worry how fast she will be when she has her "confidence"
Sun now shining brightly but the air cool, clean and pleasant - can life be better than this- could the path get any smoother - the scenery any better - those huge white swans - more little schrines - more tiny, tiny hamlets -
Who was that - Chris and Christine - the little travel group expands
Around the Danube horseshoe - look at those rock climbers on the left bank - ah here comes our boat on its way to our pickup point - wave to Margaret and Cate who remained on board - we should start to think about lunch - Chris argues for lunch with a beer - consensus follows almost without discussion.
10 ks to the boat - beer on the terrace - down to the water for lunch - more swans - plenty of on-site encampments - others join us - we push on into Ashach - there is the boat - no sign of the wiggles - bernie relieved - now that was fantastic - amazing - could it be any better.
Bernie rests - out for an ice cream - Peter and Anne and Keith and Meg line up behind - the ice creams have been earned by all - back for a sleep - rise for dinner - food average - wine very average.
Everyone raves - back for a briefing about tomorrow's ride - not sure - doesn 't sound great - seems like there are time pressures - what to expect? - what the hell today was so good that tomorrow will be good too! - nevertheless we better start early - better stay back and make sure the stragglers are ok just in case.
Just in case we don't survive tomorrow better try the bar - chris adams, Peter Reilly and Brian Royal are there - this is a dangerous bunch - stay long enough to understand why hot air balloonists are wary of unfertilized lemon trees.
Off to sleep as boat heads off for Vienna.
What will it be like - how will the inexperienced go - christine and sam worried - apprehension all round - chilly - will it rain - what should we carry - how will we carry it - experienced try to cheer up the inexperienced - the inexperienced not sure to beleive them - are they just trying to make us feel better - what will these bikes be like - will the path be rough -
Bernie confesses her overnight dream - she rides past the boat - gets lost - the wiggles send out a search party - they find her - chastise her for being a naughty girl - demand that she grab hold of the cardboard door handles on the wiggles car and chugga chugga back to the boat.
Breakfast - make up your own lunch from the breakfast table - line up to find a bike - find it and set it up - make sure you know the number - label it with your cabin number - back to the boat - register your bike - insure it - Get your panniers and bike lock - seek out your preferred traveling companions.
We team up with the Royals - Ok which way - down to the ferry - pay your euros - over to the left bank - on our way - still chilly - some sunshine - sam takes the lead - nice bitumen 'track - bet it gets worst from here - track continues to be good - past some small hamlets - amazed at the intricate woodpiles - green - green - forest - forest - wide river - wide river - another hamlet - look at that minature schrine - another hamlet - sun emerges - still chilly - but - but - but this is great - path continues to be perfect - trees get greener - river look better - occasionally another biker passes us - oh there is a serious rider out training - very few cars - ah now no cars at all - off on to a dedicated bike path - great sights - what are those poor people back in albury doing.
Ah here is the first decision point - do we continue along the left bank and ride some more up to the next ferry or do we cross here - that pub on the other side looks pretty good - pay the ferryman - off to the pub.
Sit up on the balcony overlooking the Danube to the steep forests of the left bank - coffee pretty good but the swans, the ducks and scenery much better - sam proud of herself - she has already earned the title of "domestique" for her leadership of our small pack - she confesses that she just wanted to ride alone to gain confidence - we all worry how fast she will be when she has her "confidence"
Sun now shining brightly but the air cool, clean and pleasant - can life be better than this- could the path get any smoother - the scenery any better - those huge white swans - more little schrines - more tiny, tiny hamlets -
Who was that - Chris and Christine - the little travel group expands
Around the Danube horseshoe - look at those rock climbers on the left bank - ah here comes our boat on its way to our pickup point - wave to Margaret and Cate who remained on board - we should start to think about lunch - Chris argues for lunch with a beer - consensus follows almost without discussion.
10 ks to the boat - beer on the terrace - down to the water for lunch - more swans - plenty of on-site encampments - others join us - we push on into Ashach - there is the boat - no sign of the wiggles - bernie relieved - now that was fantastic - amazing - could it be any better.
Bernie rests - out for an ice cream - Peter and Anne and Keith and Meg line up behind - the ice creams have been earned by all - back for a sleep - rise for dinner - food average - wine very average.
Everyone raves - back for a briefing about tomorrow's ride - not sure - doesn 't sound great - seems like there are time pressures - what to expect? - what the hell today was so good that tomorrow will be good too! - nevertheless we better start early - better stay back and make sure the stragglers are ok just in case.
Just in case we don't survive tomorrow better try the bar - chris adams, Peter Reilly and Brian Royal are there - this is a dangerous bunch - stay long enough to understand why hot air balloonists are wary of unfertilized lemon trees.
Off to sleep as boat heads off for Vienna.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Day 2
The Ride - day 2
We are experts now - put on the sun screen - find the bike - bigger travel group now - off the boat on the right back in Vienna - down to the lions bridge across the city canal - scrub bash back to the right bank - down the right bank to the red bridge - bugger the red bridge - take the first bridge that gets you on to the Danube island - indecision - group splits - some continue on to the red bridge - other miss the lions bridge - eventually all works out and we meet up on the island - what was that lying out on the pontoon in the river - definitely human - male or female - no consensus - clearly a nudist.
Ah - why is that figure up there yelling at us - ah not a figure - an irate nudist - clearly he thinks this is not an appropriate place for bike riders - looking at the figures of the nudists the bike riders agree - Richard rushes back in the reverse direction - this is not the way - the navigators amongst us are not so sure - let's push on another kilometer - more nudists - clearly this is not an occupation of young people for all we see are the leathery flabby skins of middle aged alternate life stylers - do we look as strange to them as they look to us - ah there may have been a high road above the nudists but the low road amongst them added some variety to the day.
Richard spends the next hour in search of Pam - she knew the way!
We push on through the oil refinery - views somewhat less spectacular than yesterday - this all feels a little stressful - must push on - do not want to miss the ferry - on passed the refinery - into the bush along a levee bank - continue beside the levee - on beside the levee - on beside levee - gravel path - head wind - on along the levee - head wind - gravel - hard work - boring - sam doing it tough - Christine a bit over it - mike over it.
Ah - at last a bike cafe in the middle of nowhere - stop and rest - strudel - coffee - ice cream - others enjoy a light beer - Richard has had a tumble and has a grazed shoulder - Pam is found - Kate is having trouble breathing - anyone with a ventolin spray - the royals to the rescue - no one really relaxed - mustn't miss that ferry or we will miss the train.
Our little group look with reverence at the expert bike tourists as they relax and take their morning break - Lyn and David look calm cool and collected as they sip away at their beverages - why aren't they stressed?
Another 7 kilometers of levee and forest - boring but a least an end in sight - turn right down to the ferry - ah at last something nice to see - it is over in a flash - down to the ferry - tiny - line up - only 8 bikes at a time - pay the euros - disembark - practice for Paris-Roubaix - rough - rough - rough cobble stones across the river flats to the town - what is this - no one mentioned the road climbed suddenly and severely as it wound into the town - off the bikes and walk the hill - where in the hell is the railway station - pointed in the general direction by some locals - stop debate - push on - find the station beside the main road - without a doubt the smallest and worst railway station in the whole of Austria.
Hang around - keep each other cheered up - find shade behind the shelter and wait 45 minutes for the train - spread out along the track - hail the train - scramble to load the bikes into the train - settle in - thinking to ourselves that perhaps we should have taken the longer route with the others so that we could see the roman ruins - never mind - there out the windows is the roman ruin beside the rail track - nice photo.
Onward to the terminal - everyone looks tired and pleased to be on the train
Reach the terminus - head for the bike track and Slovakia
There is the old border crossing - looks nasty - thank god it no longer operates - make sure we stop at the first hotel in Slovakia - obvious we have crossed the border - no one wants to serve us - all seemed like it was too much trouble- borrow a bandage off Kate and repair my bike - troup pushes on to bratislava - over the big bridge and down to the boat - thank god that is over! - actually would have been better if we had not put ourselves under so much pressure to reach the train - that said the scenery and track did not compare to yesterday.
Into the bar on the boat - drinks all round - some rest and prepare for dinner tonight - the intrepid amongst the group have lined up for a bike/walking tour of the old city - the less intrepid have opted for dinner in the castle environs overlooking the city - some head for the cabins and rest - some head for a stroll around town.
We get taxi's to the restaurant - our taxi driver had just heard that Volkswagen are to join the world rally championship series - he is practicing in his skoda - after all it is a Volkswagen at heart - his driving gets my attention if not my commendation.
Magnificent view overlooking the city and the river - great company and nice meal - Paul and peter select some nice wines - discuss the approach of futurists with Gary much to margaret's angst - don't kill the conversation Gary - don't worry margaret we find this really interesting.
Should I go to bed - chris Harper is in the bar - he is alone - I join him - then so does a large crowd - Bernie emerges - gin and tonic - chris dances with multiple women at the same time - entertains everyone - a great time - up on deck - the boat is leaving - clear skies - fantastic view of the city by night as the boat turns and heads for Budapest.
The bike ride itself may not have been perfect but the day itself was great - we will travel overnight and arrive in Budapest at 10:00 am tomorrow.
We are experts now - put on the sun screen - find the bike - bigger travel group now - off the boat on the right back in Vienna - down to the lions bridge across the city canal - scrub bash back to the right bank - down the right bank to the red bridge - bugger the red bridge - take the first bridge that gets you on to the Danube island - indecision - group splits - some continue on to the red bridge - other miss the lions bridge - eventually all works out and we meet up on the island - what was that lying out on the pontoon in the river - definitely human - male or female - no consensus - clearly a nudist.
Ah - why is that figure up there yelling at us - ah not a figure - an irate nudist - clearly he thinks this is not an appropriate place for bike riders - looking at the figures of the nudists the bike riders agree - Richard rushes back in the reverse direction - this is not the way - the navigators amongst us are not so sure - let's push on another kilometer - more nudists - clearly this is not an occupation of young people for all we see are the leathery flabby skins of middle aged alternate life stylers - do we look as strange to them as they look to us - ah there may have been a high road above the nudists but the low road amongst them added some variety to the day.
Richard spends the next hour in search of Pam - she knew the way!
We push on through the oil refinery - views somewhat less spectacular than yesterday - this all feels a little stressful - must push on - do not want to miss the ferry - on passed the refinery - into the bush along a levee bank - continue beside the levee - on beside the levee - on beside levee - gravel path - head wind - on along the levee - head wind - gravel - hard work - boring - sam doing it tough - Christine a bit over it - mike over it.
Ah - at last a bike cafe in the middle of nowhere - stop and rest - strudel - coffee - ice cream - others enjoy a light beer - Richard has had a tumble and has a grazed shoulder - Pam is found - Kate is having trouble breathing - anyone with a ventolin spray - the royals to the rescue - no one really relaxed - mustn't miss that ferry or we will miss the train.
Our little group look with reverence at the expert bike tourists as they relax and take their morning break - Lyn and David look calm cool and collected as they sip away at their beverages - why aren't they stressed?
Another 7 kilometers of levee and forest - boring but a least an end in sight - turn right down to the ferry - ah at last something nice to see - it is over in a flash - down to the ferry - tiny - line up - only 8 bikes at a time - pay the euros - disembark - practice for Paris-Roubaix - rough - rough - rough cobble stones across the river flats to the town - what is this - no one mentioned the road climbed suddenly and severely as it wound into the town - off the bikes and walk the hill - where in the hell is the railway station - pointed in the general direction by some locals - stop debate - push on - find the station beside the main road - without a doubt the smallest and worst railway station in the whole of Austria.
Hang around - keep each other cheered up - find shade behind the shelter and wait 45 minutes for the train - spread out along the track - hail the train - scramble to load the bikes into the train - settle in - thinking to ourselves that perhaps we should have taken the longer route with the others so that we could see the roman ruins - never mind - there out the windows is the roman ruin beside the rail track - nice photo.
Onward to the terminal - everyone looks tired and pleased to be on the train
Reach the terminus - head for the bike track and Slovakia
There is the old border crossing - looks nasty - thank god it no longer operates - make sure we stop at the first hotel in Slovakia - obvious we have crossed the border - no one wants to serve us - all seemed like it was too much trouble- borrow a bandage off Kate and repair my bike - troup pushes on to bratislava - over the big bridge and down to the boat - thank god that is over! - actually would have been better if we had not put ourselves under so much pressure to reach the train - that said the scenery and track did not compare to yesterday.
Into the bar on the boat - drinks all round - some rest and prepare for dinner tonight - the intrepid amongst the group have lined up for a bike/walking tour of the old city - the less intrepid have opted for dinner in the castle environs overlooking the city - some head for the cabins and rest - some head for a stroll around town.
We get taxi's to the restaurant - our taxi driver had just heard that Volkswagen are to join the world rally championship series - he is practicing in his skoda - after all it is a Volkswagen at heart - his driving gets my attention if not my commendation.
Magnificent view overlooking the city and the river - great company and nice meal - Paul and peter select some nice wines - discuss the approach of futurists with Gary much to margaret's angst - don't kill the conversation Gary - don't worry margaret we find this really interesting.
Should I go to bed - chris Harper is in the bar - he is alone - I join him - then so does a large crowd - Bernie emerges - gin and tonic - chris dances with multiple women at the same time - entertains everyone - a great time - up on deck - the boat is leaving - clear skies - fantastic view of the city by night as the boat turns and heads for Budapest.
The bike ride itself may not have been perfect but the day itself was great - we will travel overnight and arrive in Budapest at 10:00 am tomorrow.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Day 3
The ride - Day 3
What is that little white box on the wall - an airconditioning thermostat - what is that - an airconditioning switch - ah that is better - no need for the windows to be open for the cabin to be tolerable - The engines whisper away all night - great for sleeping - we awake at 7 to find the boat steaming on towards Budapest - we wander out for breakfast - people generally slow to rise - breakfast
The now daily briefing from the bohemian tour director - tour comedian - not sure which - capable of deriving comedy from the nuisances of language even in a foreign tongue.
Now it is the german's turn for their briefing - we all adjourn to the front deck - sun shining - we approach Budapest - we pass esztergom - the basilica commands the travelers on the river - we steam on towards Budapest - the crowd on the deck steadily grows - everyone is on deck - we are served wine - water - hungarian goulash - we pass Margret island - the city comes into sight - ah - lots smiles - people look forward to their free day in the city - Bernie and I look forward to our day off.
The bikes are off loaded and the bike tourists head off - the guided tourists leave - the ship is deserted save the crew - Bernie to the cabin to sleep.
Wakeup bern - time for lunch - go away! - wake up Bernie - stop pestering me - but it is 2 o'clock - ok - don't rush me - off the boat- across the road - into the square - no - into the back street - there is a pub - the waiter comes out - sees us coming - we order - I have cabbage stuffed with meatballs, sauerkraut and sour cream - more like meat balls wrapped in cabbage - obviously local - glass of wine - a couple bottles of mineral water - out comes the bill - dear - wine doubled up - what the hell - not worth the argument - pay the bill and head back to the boat - more sleep - rise for dinner and the stories of the day trippers.
The day tripper reports - mixed at best - the hop on people relate - too many stops in the sun - the bike riders report - traffic tough and the trip long - people look tired at dinner - some miss dinner and dine out - arrive back reporting great food - others arrive back reporting the boxing promoter cum restaurant owner who is devastated to find that Lionel Rose has passed on .
Dinner has a entre that is to die for - recognise that in advance and decide not to partake - no Australian choses to partake of carp as the main course - mine was chicken - better than it looked - we start with reisling but eventually move to Peter's preference. - this time a merlot.
Talk about anything and everything - agree that cowra chardonnai's are pretty good - wonder about yellow tail - think about the influence of communism on the hungarians - you shall stay in your allotted seats!
Retire to the bar - talk about everything from communism to the NBN - use the straws to count how many G&T's - which ride are you doing in the morning - gee they are great dancers - watch the young German 's dance together through a full bracket - impressed - envious - wonderful - off to bed.
Get into bed - open the curtains - can it get any better than this - the cabin window frames a vista of the Hungarian Parliament Building across the Danube from the ship..
What is that little white box on the wall - an airconditioning thermostat - what is that - an airconditioning switch - ah that is better - no need for the windows to be open for the cabin to be tolerable - The engines whisper away all night - great for sleeping - we awake at 7 to find the boat steaming on towards Budapest - we wander out for breakfast - people generally slow to rise - breakfast
The now daily briefing from the bohemian tour director - tour comedian - not sure which - capable of deriving comedy from the nuisances of language even in a foreign tongue.
Now it is the german's turn for their briefing - we all adjourn to the front deck - sun shining - we approach Budapest - we pass esztergom - the basilica commands the travelers on the river - we steam on towards Budapest - the crowd on the deck steadily grows - everyone is on deck - we are served wine - water - hungarian goulash - we pass Margret island - the city comes into sight - ah - lots smiles - people look forward to their free day in the city - Bernie and I look forward to our day off.
The bikes are off loaded and the bike tourists head off - the guided tourists leave - the ship is deserted save the crew - Bernie to the cabin to sleep.
Wakeup bern - time for lunch - go away! - wake up Bernie - stop pestering me - but it is 2 o'clock - ok - don't rush me - off the boat- across the road - into the square - no - into the back street - there is a pub - the waiter comes out - sees us coming - we order - I have cabbage stuffed with meatballs, sauerkraut and sour cream - more like meat balls wrapped in cabbage - obviously local - glass of wine - a couple bottles of mineral water - out comes the bill - dear - wine doubled up - what the hell - not worth the argument - pay the bill and head back to the boat - more sleep - rise for dinner and the stories of the day trippers.
The day tripper reports - mixed at best - the hop on people relate - too many stops in the sun - the bike riders report - traffic tough and the trip long - people look tired at dinner - some miss dinner and dine out - arrive back reporting great food - others arrive back reporting the boxing promoter cum restaurant owner who is devastated to find that Lionel Rose has passed on .
Dinner has a entre that is to die for - recognise that in advance and decide not to partake - no Australian choses to partake of carp as the main course - mine was chicken - better than it looked - we start with reisling but eventually move to Peter's preference. - this time a merlot.
Talk about anything and everything - agree that cowra chardonnai's are pretty good - wonder about yellow tail - think about the influence of communism on the hungarians - you shall stay in your allotted seats!
Retire to the bar - talk about everything from communism to the NBN - use the straws to count how many G&T's - which ride are you doing in the morning - gee they are great dancers - watch the young German 's dance together through a full bracket - impressed - envious - wonderful - off to bed.
Get into bed - open the curtains - can it get any better than this - the cabin window frames a vista of the Hungarian Parliament Building across the Danube from the ship..
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Day 4
The Ride - Day 4
Another day - another ride - it might rain - it might not rain - looks ok - take that rain jacket in case - the last ride has taught some of us a lesson - don't rush - take it easy - don't worry - be happy - bugger the ferry - if we miss it we miss it - 6 rational ladies and me look to Brian for leadership - off we go - which way to the ferry - get the bohemian tour director a little annoyed - ignore the instructions - off we head.
Arrive at the ferry in 500 meters - of course the ferry driver hasn't risen yet - wait 45 minutes - marvel at the Germans lining up on the right hand side of the road behind the white line - note the Australian rabble lolling around telling skiing stories - lorries arrive - cars join the queue - get our tickets and on to the ferry.
Off on the right bank towards Szob - nice track - nice scenery - maybe not Austria but nice.
The confidence of the girls has grown - brian's leadership is immediately usurped - Kate and sam play domestique - sam stops beside a domestique sign - we miss the photo opportunity - everyone still relaxed and enjoying the relaxed ride.
Onwards towards Szob - track stops - women briefly consult Brian before ignoring his advice and pushing on - they are now not only confident but competent - Meg finds the way - onwards and onwards - Still some lovely country side - make an effort to engage the locals in a cheery hello - alternately successful - arrive at the ferry - another 45 minute wait - is the restaurant open - slow turning of the head - I guess that means no! - pull out our packed lunch - relax - too relaxed - the ferry has started up - we rush down to the boat - pay our 800 each and load up with about 20 others.
Along a regional road - traffic well behaved - the domestiques continue to lead out - ah - esztergom - there is the basilica - nice town - boat not here yet - ask that fellow in the car - cafe? - puzzled look - recognition - points - thank you - down beside the canal - tree lined avenue passed the school - here is the pub - ice coffee - radlers - sav blanc - rest - rest - ah - there is the boat - dump - our bikes - off to explore the town.
Head straight for the basilica perched high on top of the hill overlooking the old town - which way - Bernie heads to the right - everyone follows - no Bernie - definitely to the left - we wander through the old town - I hope this lane turns sharp right pretty soon - thank god it does - ah - there is a track leading up hill in the right direction - should we take it - why not - sam photographs a lonely and lost white plastic chair hiding in the bush - Erica will be pleased - christrine shows confidence and pushes on with me - Bernie - knows me - hangs back - up the track a little further - why didn't you trust me Bernie - there are the steps - see - I led you up a much gentler grade - see those steps you would have had to climb up them.
On to the proper albeit back entrance path and steps - up the steps and up the steps and up some more steps - through a wooden door in the old wall into the basilica grounds - this is nice - let's rest awhile - buy some water - there is Pam and peter - they have ridden up on their way to the boat - where is andrew - don't know.
Around the front of the basillica - amazing - huge - line the group against the columns and take a panorama - inside the basilica - impressive - St Gregory - no!- really impressive! - buy some tickets - Brian and I to the top of the cuppola - the girls to the crypt.
Up the spiral stairs - climb - circle - climb - circle - climb - climb - climb - puff - pant - climb - climb - climb - pant - pant - pant - climb - pant - pant -pant - climb - pant - pant - pant - pant - pant - gee Brian - I may have already died and we are climbing to heaven!. - reach the top - local points us through an entry - bugger - more steps - pant - pant - another local - reach the top - the copper domes echoes - out through the door - amazing - camera set to panorama - the Danube and the countryside laid out before us.
Time to head down - the two old men cheer up considerably - a young fellow and his pretty girl friend panting as they reach the summit
Down and down - there are the girls - they are anxious to shop - divide the remaining huf between the men and women - women to the shops - men to the pub - the first beers not delivered when the girls arrive back - settle in - some Hungarian champagne would be nice - the cheap version is delivered - the girls unimpressed - beers and radlers ordered - Kate and meg render acupuncture point pressure therapy and reiki therapy to Bernie and margaret respectively
More travellers arrive - robbs and Erica - Keith - the millikens - the reillys, watch the local kids bursting out of the swimming pools and onto their road bikes for the bike leg of their triathalon training. - try to dispose of the remaining huf on drinks - rather than disappearing they seem to grow in number.
Back to the boat - it leaves at 5 for Vienna- everyone agrees - this was a great day!
Sleep for a while - time to head down for dinner.
The pirates arrive - crew dressed up - dining room in organized chaos - pleasant night - new musician - the crowd obviously approve of the change - the dance floor crowded - Bernie, Kate, sam amongst those contributing to the dance floor chaos - Brian and I escape to the back deck.
To many g&t - good night.
Another day - another ride - it might rain - it might not rain - looks ok - take that rain jacket in case - the last ride has taught some of us a lesson - don't rush - take it easy - don't worry - be happy - bugger the ferry - if we miss it we miss it - 6 rational ladies and me look to Brian for leadership - off we go - which way to the ferry - get the bohemian tour director a little annoyed - ignore the instructions - off we head.
Arrive at the ferry in 500 meters - of course the ferry driver hasn't risen yet - wait 45 minutes - marvel at the Germans lining up on the right hand side of the road behind the white line - note the Australian rabble lolling around telling skiing stories - lorries arrive - cars join the queue - get our tickets and on to the ferry.
Off on the right bank towards Szob - nice track - nice scenery - maybe not Austria but nice.
The confidence of the girls has grown - brian's leadership is immediately usurped - Kate and sam play domestique - sam stops beside a domestique sign - we miss the photo opportunity - everyone still relaxed and enjoying the relaxed ride.
Onwards towards Szob - track stops - women briefly consult Brian before ignoring his advice and pushing on - they are now not only confident but competent - Meg finds the way - onwards and onwards - Still some lovely country side - make an effort to engage the locals in a cheery hello - alternately successful - arrive at the ferry - another 45 minute wait - is the restaurant open - slow turning of the head - I guess that means no! - pull out our packed lunch - relax - too relaxed - the ferry has started up - we rush down to the boat - pay our 800 each and load up with about 20 others.
Along a regional road - traffic well behaved - the domestiques continue to lead out - ah - esztergom - there is the basilica - nice town - boat not here yet - ask that fellow in the car - cafe? - puzzled look - recognition - points - thank you - down beside the canal - tree lined avenue passed the school - here is the pub - ice coffee - radlers - sav blanc - rest - rest - ah - there is the boat - dump - our bikes - off to explore the town.
Head straight for the basilica perched high on top of the hill overlooking the old town - which way - Bernie heads to the right - everyone follows - no Bernie - definitely to the left - we wander through the old town - I hope this lane turns sharp right pretty soon - thank god it does - ah - there is a track leading up hill in the right direction - should we take it - why not - sam photographs a lonely and lost white plastic chair hiding in the bush - Erica will be pleased - christrine shows confidence and pushes on with me - Bernie - knows me - hangs back - up the track a little further - why didn't you trust me Bernie - there are the steps - see - I led you up a much gentler grade - see those steps you would have had to climb up them.
On to the proper albeit back entrance path and steps - up the steps and up the steps and up some more steps - through a wooden door in the old wall into the basilica grounds - this is nice - let's rest awhile - buy some water - there is Pam and peter - they have ridden up on their way to the boat - where is andrew - don't know.
Around the front of the basillica - amazing - huge - line the group against the columns and take a panorama - inside the basilica - impressive - St Gregory - no!- really impressive! - buy some tickets - Brian and I to the top of the cuppola - the girls to the crypt.
Up the spiral stairs - climb - circle - climb - circle - climb - climb - climb - puff - pant - climb - climb - climb - pant - pant - pant - climb - pant - pant -pant - climb - pant - pant - pant - pant - pant - gee Brian - I may have already died and we are climbing to heaven!. - reach the top - local points us through an entry - bugger - more steps - pant - pant - another local - reach the top - the copper domes echoes - out through the door - amazing - camera set to panorama - the Danube and the countryside laid out before us.
Time to head down - the two old men cheer up considerably - a young fellow and his pretty girl friend panting as they reach the summit
Down and down - there are the girls - they are anxious to shop - divide the remaining huf between the men and women - women to the shops - men to the pub - the first beers not delivered when the girls arrive back - settle in - some Hungarian champagne would be nice - the cheap version is delivered - the girls unimpressed - beers and radlers ordered - Kate and meg render acupuncture point pressure therapy and reiki therapy to Bernie and margaret respectively
More travellers arrive - robbs and Erica - Keith - the millikens - the reillys, watch the local kids bursting out of the swimming pools and onto their road bikes for the bike leg of their triathalon training. - try to dispose of the remaining huf on drinks - rather than disappearing they seem to grow in number.
Back to the boat - it leaves at 5 for Vienna- everyone agrees - this was a great day!
Sleep for a while - time to head down for dinner.
The pirates arrive - crew dressed up - dining room in organized chaos - pleasant night - new musician - the crowd obviously approve of the change - the dance floor crowded - Bernie, Kate, sam amongst those contributing to the dance floor chaos - Brian and I escape to the back deck.
To many g&t - good night.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Day 5
The Ride - Day 5
The boat has chugged on against the current onwards and onwards towards Vienna - we arise late - down for breakfast - funny - not many people up - everyone taking the opportunity to have some extra sleep - the rhythm of the engines conducive to sleep - gradually people appear - many look stiff and sore - the basilica scaling and bike riding have combined to exact their toll on the calves of the travelers.
What are you doing today - bike tour ?- some yes - some no - concert? - more yes than no - just wandering? - lots - museum? - belvedere and Sisi sound good.
People gather in the library - wait for the daily briefing- talk - read - compare tour notes - seek Knud's counsel on Vienna - watch the passage through another lock - marvel at the passing tour boats - back to their maps and books - raise their heads - startled - what was that - just the waves from yet another river cruise boat.
Wait some more - off to the briefing - the bohemian continues to be bohemian - instructions delivered with more comedy than accuracy
When are they going to let us off this ship and into vienna - Germans have their briefing - still the gangplank remains closed - lunch is announced - clearly we will stay on board until all the bikes are unloaded.
Into Vienna on the tram - buy our ticket at the Tabak - no you cannot have an 8-8 ticket - this is a public holiday - ascension day - discussion about ascension day - Bernie to the rescue - explains 40 days after Easter - Christ ascends into heaven - gee - I bet your name is Bernadette therese Marie - chris you are right on!
We noisy Australians join the tram - some looks and smiles from the locals - the others dutifully follow Knud's yellow umbrella and alight to find the museum of choice - we continue on into the city - let's have coffee on the avenue - chose the Wein hotel - panna cotta and coffee - Pinot gricio - ah this is nice - another Pinot
We are relaxed - back on the tram - slowly back towards the boat and a rest before dinner and the concert.
Police arrive on boat - someone has has a bike accident - in emergency but OK - oh Mike you do think unkindly of people - are the bohemian comedian and the captain more worried about the schedule than the tourist? - of course not - you have to do something about those thoughts Mike.
Dinner - schnitzel - quality? - diplomatically described as theodor kormer restaurant standard - that sav blanc at least tolerable
On the bus - off to the concert hall - out of the tour bus - feel for those individual tourists that feel put upon when the masses emerge from this wheeled tourist containers and like goats follow the guide as if the guide will lead them to either nourishment or salvation - into the foyer of the concert hall - stay put while the bohemian comedian disappears to return with our tickets - into the hall.
This is impressive - imagine who has been in this hall before - feel insignificant - the hall has majesty - the concert a venue for emerging talent - great Korean? Bohan Cheo - fantastic soprano, Andrea Olah- plenty of comedy thrown in - enjoyable - Brian describes the hairs on his neck standing on end - understand that.
Back to the boat - drinks - boat ready to push off - people all happy with their day - Bernie keen to dance - off to bed - the final ride tomorrow - it is nearly over!
The boat has chugged on against the current onwards and onwards towards Vienna - we arise late - down for breakfast - funny - not many people up - everyone taking the opportunity to have some extra sleep - the rhythm of the engines conducive to sleep - gradually people appear - many look stiff and sore - the basilica scaling and bike riding have combined to exact their toll on the calves of the travelers.
What are you doing today - bike tour ?- some yes - some no - concert? - more yes than no - just wandering? - lots - museum? - belvedere and Sisi sound good.
People gather in the library - wait for the daily briefing- talk - read - compare tour notes - seek Knud's counsel on Vienna - watch the passage through another lock - marvel at the passing tour boats - back to their maps and books - raise their heads - startled - what was that - just the waves from yet another river cruise boat.
Wait some more - off to the briefing - the bohemian continues to be bohemian - instructions delivered with more comedy than accuracy
When are they going to let us off this ship and into vienna - Germans have their briefing - still the gangplank remains closed - lunch is announced - clearly we will stay on board until all the bikes are unloaded.
Into Vienna on the tram - buy our ticket at the Tabak - no you cannot have an 8-8 ticket - this is a public holiday - ascension day - discussion about ascension day - Bernie to the rescue - explains 40 days after Easter - Christ ascends into heaven - gee - I bet your name is Bernadette therese Marie - chris you are right on!
We noisy Australians join the tram - some looks and smiles from the locals - the others dutifully follow Knud's yellow umbrella and alight to find the museum of choice - we continue on into the city - let's have coffee on the avenue - chose the Wein hotel - panna cotta and coffee - Pinot gricio - ah this is nice - another Pinot
We are relaxed - back on the tram - slowly back towards the boat and a rest before dinner and the concert.
Police arrive on boat - someone has has a bike accident - in emergency but OK - oh Mike you do think unkindly of people - are the bohemian comedian and the captain more worried about the schedule than the tourist? - of course not - you have to do something about those thoughts Mike.
Dinner - schnitzel - quality? - diplomatically described as theodor kormer restaurant standard - that sav blanc at least tolerable
On the bus - off to the concert hall - out of the tour bus - feel for those individual tourists that feel put upon when the masses emerge from this wheeled tourist containers and like goats follow the guide as if the guide will lead them to either nourishment or salvation - into the foyer of the concert hall - stay put while the bohemian comedian disappears to return with our tickets - into the hall.
This is impressive - imagine who has been in this hall before - feel insignificant - the hall has majesty - the concert a venue for emerging talent - great Korean? Bohan Cheo - fantastic soprano, Andrea Olah- plenty of comedy thrown in - enjoyable - Brian describes the hairs on his neck standing on end - understand that.
Back to the boat - drinks - boat ready to push off - people all happy with their day - Bernie keen to dance - off to bed - the final ride tomorrow - it is nearly over!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Day 6
The Ride -Day 6
The last ride - what will it be like?
The group forms - larger than last ride - the influence of the Royal Family is growing
Brian in a display of regal authority accepts the challenge of collapsing the row of neatly arranged Theodore kormer bicycles - his attempt at dominoes is a mixed sucess - stops after a dozen bikes topple neatly and sequentially on to their side - further success stymied by the bollard that intervened in the bicycle sequence - the bohemian comedian may well have become just the bohemian!
Charles cannot let the domino feat go unchallenged - successfully collapses 11 german bikes - again those blasted bollards intervene - disappointed Charles rides off on someone else's bike.
Off we head - Kate - are you ready Christine - have you got your helmet on Christine? - helmet on but confusion within 200 meters - up - down - around the roundabout - ah well - doesn't matter - Margaret to the rescue - up the hill - don't tell the girls the route is marked with neat green signs - it will destroy the fun.
Into the vineyards - terraces - vines sit atop the low rock walls along the bike path - into the first village - off the bikes - apricot wine - cards - tourists everywhere - those long sleek cruise boats had just disgourged the tourist rabble - we are joined by other bike tours some swarming in packs - the streets are narrow - there is the Richard the Lionheart's pub - bet he didn't drink there - they held him jail - more small heritage buildings - beechworth on a double dose of steroids - nothing like Cesky- Krumlov but a great pause on a very nice bike ride - MDCXXX- the experts amongst us decipher that this building dates from 1630 - the village is much more that beechworth on steroids.
Onwards. - are you ready christine - do you have your helmet on christine? - we need a drink - Margaret find us a place - no no no - ok - there is one - rearrange the furniture - behave like ugly Australians - amuse the locals - confuse the waiter - never mind - waiter rushes inside to get the girl in the pretty yellow dress - orders sorted! - Brian poses with the pretty yellow dress - Pam - gee if I go inside to the toilet do you think a handsome man will appear at the door with me - andrew - only if I go to the toilet with you.
Margaret finally wears Garry down - he pays the bill - we rearrange the furniture - The bohemian returns - he has arranged a wine tasting - follow me - some of us tail him - the others interupted by a swarm of australian cyclists - we lose the royals for the first time.
We start the wine tasting - Chris and Peter join us - we invite the swedes into the group - three whites and a red for tasting - ah there are the royals and the adams' -
Gee that red has a nice nose - what do you pick up on the nose - Chris Adams' bike gloves need to be washed - others really like the wines - margaret - I am not very good with wine but I am with spirits - Margaret what does that mean?
Purchase some wine - put them in the panniers - head onwards with somewhat less control over our bicycles than we had displayed on arrival.
We have ridden through Village after village after village - green - green - lavender - wild flowers - peony roses - geraniums - green - Danube - ruins - old buildings - old buildings - ruin on the hill - the Danube - ah this is nice - life is good - yep - life is good
Margaret leads - makes us stop at St Michaels Church - skulls - legless mummies - a kids kindergarten sketch on the wall - what is this about? - Kate - are you ready Christine - do you have tour helmet on crhistine?
Onwards - bypass the restaurant recommended by the bohemian - would that affect his daily income - not sure - where is our beloved team leader - Brian and the domestique have gone missing - let's stop for lunch - Lunch on a green slope under an apricot tree adjacent to a small shrine on the banks of the Danube - come on! - this is stretching the good life too far - no it isn't - Keith pulls out the cherries that he had bought earlier in the day.
Off we go again - hullo - hullo - g'day - g'day - hullo - occasional responses from the intrepid bikers coming towards us - ah there is the statue of the madonna with the big boobies otherwise known as the earth mother - everyone except Keith and Meg give it a miss - the group gets smaller again.
Through some more small villages - approach Melk - the scenery less interesting - urge develops to get the ride over and done with we can explore the Monastry in Melk - of course Kate and Bernie have maps - Pam, andrew and I make a bee line for Melk - Bernie not pleased!
Shower - order a taxi - up to the monastery - a new view on these things has emerged - me thinks that man has always built monuments to their gods - we marveled at the stone circles in Ireland, at stonehenge - why should we be horrified that later generations of humankind continued to build monuments to their gods - maybe not obscene - maybe just interesting - I wonder about humankind in the future.
The monastery is amazing - gold leaf everywhere -stunned - only 2 kilograms of gold used in the thousands of gold statues and pieces in the monastery - also stunned by the extensive use of immitation marble - a lightweight stucco type mimic of real marble - the reverence paid to the magnificent library stunning - the church described by some as over the top - i found myself in awe of the designers, builders and artists. I was also in awe of Marie as she meticulously took notes - an architects architect!
Tired - glad that water finds a low point - down all the way to the boat.
Dinner - the crew has made a real effort - really nice - oh there is a crew show - terrible - Bernie and Pam escape - some have early nights - most have a late night.
The last ride - what will it be like?
The group forms - larger than last ride - the influence of the Royal Family is growing
Brian in a display of regal authority accepts the challenge of collapsing the row of neatly arranged Theodore kormer bicycles - his attempt at dominoes is a mixed sucess - stops after a dozen bikes topple neatly and sequentially on to their side - further success stymied by the bollard that intervened in the bicycle sequence - the bohemian comedian may well have become just the bohemian!
Charles cannot let the domino feat go unchallenged - successfully collapses 11 german bikes - again those blasted bollards intervene - disappointed Charles rides off on someone else's bike.
Off we head - Kate - are you ready Christine - have you got your helmet on Christine? - helmet on but confusion within 200 meters - up - down - around the roundabout - ah well - doesn't matter - Margaret to the rescue - up the hill - don't tell the girls the route is marked with neat green signs - it will destroy the fun.
Into the vineyards - terraces - vines sit atop the low rock walls along the bike path - into the first village - off the bikes - apricot wine - cards - tourists everywhere - those long sleek cruise boats had just disgourged the tourist rabble - we are joined by other bike tours some swarming in packs - the streets are narrow - there is the Richard the Lionheart's pub - bet he didn't drink there - they held him jail - more small heritage buildings - beechworth on a double dose of steroids - nothing like Cesky- Krumlov but a great pause on a very nice bike ride - MDCXXX- the experts amongst us decipher that this building dates from 1630 - the village is much more that beechworth on steroids.
Onwards. - are you ready christine - do you have your helmet on christine? - we need a drink - Margaret find us a place - no no no - ok - there is one - rearrange the furniture - behave like ugly Australians - amuse the locals - confuse the waiter - never mind - waiter rushes inside to get the girl in the pretty yellow dress - orders sorted! - Brian poses with the pretty yellow dress - Pam - gee if I go inside to the toilet do you think a handsome man will appear at the door with me - andrew - only if I go to the toilet with you.
Margaret finally wears Garry down - he pays the bill - we rearrange the furniture - The bohemian returns - he has arranged a wine tasting - follow me - some of us tail him - the others interupted by a swarm of australian cyclists - we lose the royals for the first time.
We start the wine tasting - Chris and Peter join us - we invite the swedes into the group - three whites and a red for tasting - ah there are the royals and the adams' -
Gee that red has a nice nose - what do you pick up on the nose - Chris Adams' bike gloves need to be washed - others really like the wines - margaret - I am not very good with wine but I am with spirits - Margaret what does that mean?
Purchase some wine - put them in the panniers - head onwards with somewhat less control over our bicycles than we had displayed on arrival.
We have ridden through Village after village after village - green - green - lavender - wild flowers - peony roses - geraniums - green - Danube - ruins - old buildings - old buildings - ruin on the hill - the Danube - ah this is nice - life is good - yep - life is good
Margaret leads - makes us stop at St Michaels Church - skulls - legless mummies - a kids kindergarten sketch on the wall - what is this about? - Kate - are you ready Christine - do you have tour helmet on crhistine?
Onwards - bypass the restaurant recommended by the bohemian - would that affect his daily income - not sure - where is our beloved team leader - Brian and the domestique have gone missing - let's stop for lunch - Lunch on a green slope under an apricot tree adjacent to a small shrine on the banks of the Danube - come on! - this is stretching the good life too far - no it isn't - Keith pulls out the cherries that he had bought earlier in the day.
Off we go again - hullo - hullo - g'day - g'day - hullo - occasional responses from the intrepid bikers coming towards us - ah there is the statue of the madonna with the big boobies otherwise known as the earth mother - everyone except Keith and Meg give it a miss - the group gets smaller again.
Through some more small villages - approach Melk - the scenery less interesting - urge develops to get the ride over and done with we can explore the Monastry in Melk - of course Kate and Bernie have maps - Pam, andrew and I make a bee line for Melk - Bernie not pleased!
Shower - order a taxi - up to the monastery - a new view on these things has emerged - me thinks that man has always built monuments to their gods - we marveled at the stone circles in Ireland, at stonehenge - why should we be horrified that later generations of humankind continued to build monuments to their gods - maybe not obscene - maybe just interesting - I wonder about humankind in the future.
The monastery is amazing - gold leaf everywhere -stunned - only 2 kilograms of gold used in the thousands of gold statues and pieces in the monastery - also stunned by the extensive use of immitation marble - a lightweight stucco type mimic of real marble - the reverence paid to the magnificent library stunning - the church described by some as over the top - i found myself in awe of the designers, builders and artists. I was also in awe of Marie as she meticulously took notes - an architects architect!
Tired - glad that water finds a low point - down all the way to the boat.
Dinner - the crew has made a real effort - really nice - oh there is a crew show - terrible - Bernie and Pam escape - some have early nights - most have a late night.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Day 7
The Ride - Day 7
All good things come to an end - arise - clean that condensation off the window - not condensation - fog - watch the forests of the Danube slowly appear as the fog clears - breakfast - finally free seating.
Up on deck - we steam towards Passau - bright clear day - the greens are still there - the kind might even describe the Danube as blue - trillions of electrons massacred in the interests of the preservation of memories - people start to say goodbye - we are once again summoned to the dining area this time for a bravarian brunch.
We eat and quickly retreat for the final steam into Passau and for the groups photos - more electrons go to god! - farewells with European embraces.
The end of a great trip! - jump in a cab with paul and melanie - taxi driver tries to kill paul with the boot lid - farewell p&m - store the luggage - grab a cab up to the passau castle - lovely german taxi driving lady -
Tour the museum - finally understand the role of the prince bishops - not real bishops!- another coffee - admire the family on their segways - resolve to try them sometime soon - cab back to town - buy those special german pencils for little matilda -
Back to the station - love those little luggage conveyors on the stairs - train arrives - check the wagon location - position ourselves - train arrives - all hell breaks loose - wagons are not marked - a single and not a double train - the hordes swarm into and out of every door - the second class get into first class - the first class get into second class - the seat search begins - people stop in the passageways - confusion reigns supreme- Bernie a little irritated - not like her - eventually we drift further and further up the train - ah - there are our seats - lie back - off to frankfurt - be careful remember to change trains at wurzburg!
Look at that - not another carriage ahead through the glass door - hey that is the drivers compartment - look you can see over the drivers shoulder at the track as we speed along at 200ks - resolve to destroy just a few more electrons.
Successfully change at wurzburg - slowly slowly says the conductor - no need to rush - glass of wine - arrive in Frankfurt - taxi - perfect English - Hilton - do you know where it is - the Frankfurt Hilton - yes Ma'am - to the hotel - perfect English again.
All good things come to an end - arise - clean that condensation off the window - not condensation - fog - watch the forests of the Danube slowly appear as the fog clears - breakfast - finally free seating.
Up on deck - we steam towards Passau - bright clear day - the greens are still there - the kind might even describe the Danube as blue - trillions of electrons massacred in the interests of the preservation of memories - people start to say goodbye - we are once again summoned to the dining area this time for a bravarian brunch.
We eat and quickly retreat for the final steam into Passau and for the groups photos - more electrons go to god! - farewells with European embraces.
The end of a great trip! - jump in a cab with paul and melanie - taxi driver tries to kill paul with the boot lid - farewell p&m - store the luggage - grab a cab up to the passau castle - lovely german taxi driving lady -
Tour the museum - finally understand the role of the prince bishops - not real bishops!- another coffee - admire the family on their segways - resolve to try them sometime soon - cab back to town - buy those special german pencils for little matilda -
Back to the station - love those little luggage conveyors on the stairs - train arrives - check the wagon location - position ourselves - train arrives - all hell breaks loose - wagons are not marked - a single and not a double train - the hordes swarm into and out of every door - the second class get into first class - the first class get into second class - the seat search begins - people stop in the passageways - confusion reigns supreme- Bernie a little irritated - not like her - eventually we drift further and further up the train - ah - there are our seats - lie back - off to frankfurt - be careful remember to change trains at wurzburg!
Look at that - not another carriage ahead through the glass door - hey that is the drivers compartment - look you can see over the drivers shoulder at the track as we speed along at 200ks - resolve to destroy just a few more electrons.
Successfully change at wurzburg - slowly slowly says the conductor - no need to rush - glass of wine - arrive in Frankfurt - taxi - perfect English - Hilton - do you know where it is - the Frankfurt Hilton - yes Ma'am - to the hotel - perfect English again.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)