Supposed to be a day of rest in Vienna but we decided to go with a Bicycle tour guide around the famous sights of Vienna.
Saw some yesterday but we got a good explanation of all the history of the buildings. Our guide was very knowledgable with her background of history at university.
After our pleasant wander around the garden centre we setoff on the bikes for a gentle 32kms ride down the right side of the Danube to the outskirts of Vienna. Had lunch and changed and headed into the centre of vienna on the local tram system. The centre of town is impressive with great extravagant building and the imressive St Stevens Cathedral.
During dinner last night we sailed from Grein to Tulln. Tulln is small but lovely village just beside the river. The highlights for us was Hundertwassers boat which was being restored by the docking place(of interest to those who live in Whangarei) and the fantastic garden exhibition. The garden had lots of different areas dedicated to specific garden designs.
Last night we went to the oldest theatre in this part of Europe. Small, intimate and unique. Lots of history in this small town and good explanations from the Guide. Interesting to see how high the Rhine has flooded over the years
This morning we had a very good flat ride from Grein to Melk. Lovely wooded countryside all along the banks with occasional small villages. We had to cross the nrhine on a small boat to get to the southewrn embankment which was virtually car free.
Stopped at Ybbs for morning coffee. Classic village square with Bicycle museum for all the radfahrers. Met some kiwis who are cycling the whole Danube to Budapest.
Cycled on after coffee to make Melk by just after lunch so that we could get to do the tour of the Monestry by 3.00pm. Sue and Gill did the tour while I wondered the town. Scenic and beautifully looked after. Lots of cyclists and tourists.
First day on the MS Theodor Korner which is a very comfortable way to cycle the Danube. We arrived in Passau yesterday after a rather tiring journey from Gatwick via Munich.
Once on board about 5pm we sailed down river during the evening and night to Mauthausen. Very hot restless night although cabin reasonable size for the three of us. (Jerry, Sue and Gill).
This morning after a hearty breakfast we cycled to the nearby concentration camp. Good museum there but a depressing place.
We then cycled on to Clam Castle (about 30 kms) which typically was at the top of a rather long hill. Then all down hill to our stop for the night in Grein.
Tonight we visit the city theatre at Grein which is the oldest in middle Europe.
The weather has been very hot and sticky today with the inevitable 'headwind blowing upstream on the Danube. The river is fast flowing and looking rather more brown than blue. We thought about swimming but were warned against a dip until further downstream.
It is supposed to be cooler tomorrow which will make more pleasant cycling.
Tonight we visit the city theatre at Grein which is the oldest in middle Europe.
The weather has been very hot and sticky today with the inevitable 'headwind blowing upstream on the Danube. The river is fast flowing and looking rather more brown than blue. We thought about swimming but were warned against a dip until further downstream.
It is supposed to be cooler tomorrow which will make more pleasant cycling.
