Fifth Update
- Blaustein to Seebach
Day 24 Blaustein to Dillengen Tues 15/08/06
I felt fully rested, warm and full for the first time
in ages as I set out in the morning. The breakfast was really good, and
just what I needed. The rain stayed away during the days cycling, and I
even caught a glimpse of blue sky at one point! The cycle route was
easy to follow, and even though my Cicerone guide book to the Danube
Cycle Way said there were some rough sections, I seemed to glide over
them. The River Danube is much wider now than when I set off, and I
passed a dam at one point. I decided to stay the night in a town called
Dillengen, as its campsite was right next to the cycle way. There was a
regional religious holiday, which meant that all the shops were shut
and the streets deserted. A family turned up at the campsite, who are
also cycling part of the Danube Way at 30kms or so a day. The kids even
have their own panniers!
Day 25 Dillengen - Neuberg Wed 16/08/06
A reasonable nights sleep, and after I bought a bakers
bag of misfit rolls for a Euro, I set off again. The days cycling was
easy enough, with just a couple of steep climbs. I paced along, and
even though I have overtaken other cycle tourists on my journey, I have
yet to be overtaken by any. (What do you mean, it's not a
competition??) I didn't have a map for today, and was relying on the
Cicerone guide book and the signposts which did me fine up to the point
when they decided to part company with one another. I decided to stick
with the signposts, and ended up in the town of Neuberg, which I wasn't
expecting to do, but it had a campsite, so no worries.  I
bought a map
sometime after I had lunch, so I could work out where in Germany I was,
and after comparing it with the guidebook, it appears that the
guidebooks author had taken the wrong route! Instead of the Donnau
Radweg he veered off onto the Altmuhl Radweg by mistake, taking him
away from the river, the nitwit! Anyway, Neuberg is a very pleasant
town, with many fine old buildings.
Day 26 Neuberg - Limestherme Thursday 17/08/06
It wasn't a hard days ride, but my legs felt a little
stiff all day, which is hardly surprising, given the distance of
covered
with no days off. I must be due one soon! I didn't really know what to
expect from the route, as my guide book didn't cover this section.
There were a couple of tricky bits, where the cycle way seemed to
disappear, but I came through all right, despite a few kms of cycling
in the wrong direction! I stayed the night in a town called Limesterme,
which is just outside of Neustadt. I don't know why, but the place has
a really nice, peaceful feeling to it. It's also got a washing machine,
so time for my clothes to have a treat, as my cycling shorts were
becoming increasingly interesting to wear! The weather was absolutely
gorgeous all day, with clear blue skies, and temperatures hitting the
high twenties. It will be kind of ironic if throughout the whole trip,
the hottest temperatures were in the UK at the start! Steve rang during
the night, and it was really good to talk to him... thanks mate!
Day 27 Limestherme to Regensburg Friday 18/08/06
It was raining at the start of the day, but strong
winds which blew in my favour also cleared the sky to make another hot
and sunny day. The track was easy, apart from one section just before
Kelheim, where it turned very rough as it wound its way steeply through
a forest. The descent was worth it though, because there, at the
bottom, was a McDonalds, just waiting for me. I managed to squeeze in a
breakfast egg and bacon McMuffin before the cut off time, which was
reward in itself. Marvelous. Onwards, then, to Regensburg, cycling for
the most part on gravel tracks beside the rivers edge. The campsite in
Regensburg, which is a fair sized city, is just off the cycleway, and
easily found. Quite pricey though at E13.50 a night. Come on guys, play
the game! After setting up, shower etc, I caught a bus into the city
centre which was some distance, and there, at the bus station was
another McDonalds.. Well, it was lunchtime! The only thing I would say,
is stop giving me options when I order... I don't sprechen sie lingre,
ok? Fueled up, I found an internet cafe, and did some updates.  Then
looked around the old centre, which has a stunning cathedral and
hundreds of fine old buildings. Stocked up at Nettos, and although I
considered a glorious hatrick of McDonalds, I decided on a tin of Maggi
Ravioli instead. I remember Maggi from my first trip around Australia,
when Andrea and I were on an all noodle diet to save cash, and here
they are again!
Day 28 Regensburg to Seebach Sat 19/08/06
I got a reasonably early start, and with a clear blue
sky
overhead, I got underway. I passed through some quaint villages
with pretty churches, and through open countryside which was a
bit
of a slog at times. I easily made Strauberg, so I decided to push on to
Deggendorf, all the while taking a break every 20kms which seemed to
work quite well. The campsite in Deggendorf looked horrible, so I
carried on, and stopped in a village called Seebach, and booked into a
guest house instead. I haven't paid for it yet, so todays expenditure
is only 3 euros, which I spent on a kebab, that ever present German
delicacy!
 Day
29 Seebach to Schlogen Sunday 20/08/06
I made the breakfast at the guesthouse a good one, and
also
took a roll away with me for later on. I was really flying today, and
didn't want to stop! At one stage, i cycled with a group of German
lads, and used them as a windshield until one of them fell off. I
decided to bypass Passau, and carry on into Austria. There was no
'welcome to Austria sign', but here I am all the same, in my third
different country so far. I carried on pacing along, and my average
speed of 20kmh is my fastest so far. The cycle path on the Austrian
side is proving to be very smooth, and follows close to the River
Danube's edge. Had to take a two euro ferry across to the opposite side
at one point.
Day 30 Scholgen - Au Monday 21/08/06
I felt quite cold during the night, and when i got up
in the
morning, a mist hung between the two forested banks of the Danube. it
looked very picturesque, and cleared by the time I was underway for the
day. Not a lot to report other than that really.
Day 31 Au - Melk Tuesday 22/08/06
Well, i make that over 2000kms now... wow! I must be
mad. It
started off raining today, but you've just got to ignore it and get
going. I passed through some great scenary blah blah. Tried to use the
internet but the connection was rubbish.
Day 32 Melk - Zwentendorf 23/08/06
The scenary between Melk and a town called Krems was
absolutely outstanding today. The cycle way passed through wonderful
villages, which were dotted between vinyards and fields full of trees
heavy with fruit. The Danube snaked below, and up above, there were yet
more terraces of vinyards. Very special. So far, I've managed to get
across Austria without a map.
Day 33 Zwentendorf - Schonau 24/08/06
I set off with the intention of seeing what I felt like
about
staying in Vienna. I reached the city in reasonable time, and after
cycling around for a while, I thought sod it, and decided to carry on.
It was quite a task trying to find the cycle route out of Vienna, but i
managed it eventually. There was one section which passed by an area of
the Danube obviously popular with nudists. From what little I could
see, not all Austrians are into big sausages. (Don't start even
thinking about kebabs). For the last ten kilometres, the wind was
against me, so i decided to call it a day in Schonau, and booked into a
guesthouse for the night, where i've also just had an immense mixed
grill. I'll fuel up on breakfast in the morning, and head for
Bratislava. Incidently, a personal goal was achieved when i heard a
couple of German tourists say 'Achtung' and 'Jahvol' within half an
hour of each other. Marvelous.
Hostal
World Use these guys to book a budget room in any city in the
world!
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