Back to Switzerland

Well, I have had my 10 days R and R. Unfortunately, the England weather wasn't kind to me (as you would of seen on all the news) and we had a lot of rain - but at least we didn't get the flooding that other parts of England have had - and I managed to relax so much that I caught a dreadful case of the flu and spent a couple of days wrapped up on the couch drinking lemon drinks with no voice - NOW THAT WAS hard!! Typical though, sun is out today and I fly out!

Awesome seeing my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin (had a relaxing bicycle ride yesteray, the good ol' pork roast, a Nepalese curry and also a visit to Windsor which I still love) and catching up with Shelley and Brett (and a good ol' bbq plus the normal Friday night drinks!).

I am back off to Switzerland today to go walking in the Swiss mountains (who's jealous about that one!) before getting back on to Princess and heading up the River Rhein to Koln. I only have 2 1/2 more months to pack everything in. Catching up with Shelley in September in Zurich and Lucerne and then Heidi, Shaun and Maia in southern France. Then its a Safari tour on my return to London, and a wedding in Braemar before heading back to summer in NZ and work on 3 December - now that will be a shock.

Back to realism eh!

Catching up with Shelley, Boogs and Zoey in London

Look Boogs, spelt it right. Managed to catch up with Shelley and Brett a couple of times and also Zoe who has moved over to England for a short period.

Thank You to Evans Cycles - UK

I would like to thank Evans Cycles for their sponsorship material and cycle equipment that they supplied to me in support of The New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation.
Evans Cycles is an independent cycle dealer in the UK dealing with high quality bikes and accessories. They were voted the 'Best British Bike Shop' in both 2003 and 2004.
I have included alink to their webpage on the navigation bar on the right hand side (alternatively www.evanscycles.com).

St Gallen

Waltraud took me to St Gallen, less than 20 mins by train, to St Gallen, a UNESCO site with an amazing Stiftsbibliothek Abbey Library which was founded in 612. There was also an amazing Cathedral and great vibe about the city.

Lake Bodensee

Henning had organised a brilliant itinerary. We trained from Rorschach in Switzerland to Bregenz in Austria (less than 15 mins). From here we got the Pfander (Funicular) up 1064m with views over Switzerland, Austria and Germany.

Then we trained (all of 9 mins) to Lindau, Germany, a tiny island on Lake Bodensee and had lunch. Then it was a walk around the town before getting on the boat back to Rorschach in Switzerland (50 mins) and home.

One couldnät have asked for a better day.

THANK YOU very much Henning and Waltraud. It was truly superb.

Henning and Waltraud Schwarz

This has been one of the best breaks I could of asked for. Waltraud and Henningäs hospitality has been AWESOME and as for dinner, a 4 course meal that took 6 hours to eat.
First course - Proscuitto and Melon with Apple Juice

Second course - Mozarella, Tomato, Basilico with Sparkling White Wine

Third course - 'Alplermagrone' Swiss dish (Pasta and Potato) with Red Wine

Fourth course - 'Rotegrutze' German dessert with Cream Yoghurt andKaffe

By 12.30am I was bursting at the seams but had had a brilliant evening with Waltraud and Henning and their son Yann.

Austria

Well, Austria I loved also, especially the area east of Salzburg. Unfortunately, this was abit rushed for me, but next time I come back ......
Total Distance in Austria: 1099.4kms

Innsbruck to Feldkirch to Bregenz

So I I hit the road again (below) and cycled to a place called Landeck and then caught the train to a tiny (and read tiny) town called Feldkirch. Can one blame me when the Arlberg Alps were over 2500m high and even the train went THROUGH them!!

Innsbruck

Innsbruck was a lovely town and it had finally stopped raining. And I was lucky enough to get to see the Austrian Polizei Band play for free.

St Johann in Tirol - more enroute shots

These shots were all during Salzburg to St Johann in Tirol. The last shot is St Johann in Tirol, a quaint ski resort, very expensive and with Alps all around you greater than 2000m.

Enroute to Innsbruck

I crossed into Germany for all of 1 1-2 hours!!! They even have the speed limit for Tanks!!!

Okay, one more Sound of Music!

Do you get the impression that I was impressed with Salzburg!!! AND NO I didnät do the Sound of Music tour. Thought about it but it would of cost me 35 Euro and I had just ridden through most of the countryside and I think I know the movie inside out!!!

Salzburg and my Sound of Music

Christmas shops in Salzburg in July, I LOVE IT!!!

More shots of Salzburg

Me and the Mirabella Gardens - again where some of the Sound of Music was filmed!!!

One was tested today ....

Well I got to Salzburg, however .....

It has been a testing time for me. Sequence of events as follows:

2 MORE flat tyres, so read 3 flat tyres

1 burst new tyre

2 new (front and rear) brake pads

1 entire new tyre

Rain

Wind

Rain
12 degree

But, have a look at the photos below. If I hadnät had booked accommodation in Salzburg I would of stayed one more night in Lake Attersee area. It is gorgeous and if I was to come back to Austria, this is definitely one place that I will be revisiting. Stunning does not give it justice.

Enroute Lake Attersee to Salzburg

Lake Mondsee above and the cycle path signs that one tried to follow but if you blink and miss, well..... who knows where you will be!!!

My friend at the service station come bike shop who was my saviour!!!!! There is no way I could of gone any further and 1 1-2 hour later we were back on the road and viewing the church that Maria got married in from the Sound of Music!!!!

Lake Attersee and Nusdorf

The Zimmer I stayed at in Nusdorf.

Wow, this was Lake Attersee from my bedroom verandah!!! and this is the lady, Irmi, who I stayed with. She was brilliant as I turned up there with another flat tyre, she gave me Kaffe and Cherry Pie. And below, me and my Sound of Music!!!!

The first 2 big days - Wein to Linz

Well I have covered 240kms in 2 days (day 1 125kms, day 2 115kms), with rain and wind, AND a flat tyre. Needless to say one was a little tested today, definitely no camping tonight!!!!I This is LINZ , the sun came out as I arrived!! Lucky for me too, 3 Japanese cyclists stopped and helped me with my bike. There are cyclists all down (note DOWN) the Danube (not Tracys UP!!).

Vienna to Linz

The Danube river would of been lovely, except for a 2 hour period, it rained the entire time of the 2 day trip Vienna to Linz. Luckily, the 2 hour period was between Krems and Melk on day 1 and this was just a lovely part.

Day 2 above - the Danube.

And the clouds come rolling in at Melk!!! However got this picture of Melk Monastery just before!!

The Next Plan

And we all know how random I am!!

Two hard days to Linz up the river!
Two hard days over hills to Salzburg!
Two hard days to Innsbruck

No idea but two days to Bregenz.

Then either anticlockwise around Lake Konstance or head towards Zurich for maybe a small refresh and catch up for Tracy time in UK to spend some time with family and friends. I´ll let you all know!!

Find me in the wood pile!!!Went for a walk in the national park Danube around Hasau (Wien) with a friends family who lives just out of Wien. The Danube Amazon!!!
Awesome lunch at the local farmers with all the locals - a known hidden treasure that I now know what to look for on doors which tells people that meals are served and they are all produced from the farmers own farm - wine and all!!!
Rocio and her family and lunch!