In The Interim – Slovakia – Hungary
Does anyone know which way to go
Bratislavia clock museum
Crossing into Hungary through the now defunct Slovakian/Hungarian border crossing
Tata – incredible inland lake away from the Donau. We worked hard to get up here and even harder to get out and then a very quick descent back to the Donau
But first a stop at the vineyards on the way down
And the bike path into Esztergom. No kidding. Lack of signage and obviously the bike paths are starting to deteriorate.
But there were some wonderful parts of Esztergom
More Esztergom
Sierd holding on tight on top of the Esztergom cathedral, the third largest in Europe and the centre of the Hungarian catholic church
Yes, one more ferry trip. We decided to spend the day exploring Esztergom and then take the hydrofoil down the river to arrive in Budapest at sunset.
Hungary’s national parliament as seen on arrival
In The Interim – Vienna to Slovakia
Hundertwasserhaus – our last stop in Vienna
Etc
Where else can you bicycle out of the city through a miles long pak – this is the Prater
Saying a final good bye to Vienna
Our last Gasthaus in Austria all for $25 each
And now step back a little in time as we cycle into Slovakia
In The Interim – Vienna, Austria
Just a few shots of Vienna taken during our 4 night stay with friends
Walter, Sierd, Sigrid and
King Leopold
Sierd on a bad hair day
Finally breakfast and an expresso makes Sierd human again
And this breakfast makes us really happy
Sierd shopping for diamonds!
Beautiful cathedral undergoing restoration
Adornments on the front of a small chapel
Ludwig’s ‘other’ home
A minor decoration
Off to the Belvedere to see a Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele exhibit
Gustav Klimt
Egon Schiele
Egon Schiele
Sailing is difficult in Vienna
A close-up
Self in front of the fountain dedicated to the Russian soldiers who died in WW 11
Building designed by Wagner
Happy times in the Prater
A ride more to my taste!
Even the bread was designed
Sierd studying for his android exams in October
However, Sierd would rather be studying pastry making at Vienna’s premier pastry shop – Dremel’s (and not related to the dremel tool)
Of course we had to sample
And on departure had to look at the apartment building known as the Hunderwaterhauss
And the a bike ride through the Prater and over to the north shore of the Danube where the nude sunbathers stretch for miles. Here is one appropriately dressed for a stroll up to one of the many coffee and beer restaurants.
In The Interim – Melk, Austria
The Melk Abbey
As seen on a postcard
One or the many items on display in a beautifully executed museum
View over the Danube from the abbey
Over the top ceiling fresco
The chapel interior
One of severalinterred saints lying in state
The chapel again
Yes, a good four hours spent wandering around the Melk abbey on a rainy day but there are miles to go yet
So it is into the wine going region just west of Kelms
In The Interim – Austria
Yes, a cold wet day and we were hunkered down for a short ferry ride
Yet another wet day as we set out from our Gasthaus
Yes, we even travel by elevator. Going by train to Melk from Kelheim. Yes, no lies here we have had to take alternate forms of transportation for one reason or another
And hete the bikes are stored for the half hour trip
Our first meal in Austria. All for five dollars a lunch when we were cold, wet and tired helped us get through the rest of the day
Just another shot for that great lunch
Next edition will be our stop at the Benedictine abbey of Melk
In The Interim – Germany – Churches, abbeys, etc
Incredible stained glass
Beautiful lighting
New and old
And who does the church want to keep out?
Grill work
Lots of Baroque
More
Regensburg
Everywhere incredible work
And organs
And there are those quiet interludes
Next is Austria…….kuchen and more…….
In The Interim – Germany Part 2
A sign for one of our targets seen early on
Just one of many initiatives to promote solar power in Germany. On one house alone wr counted 240 panels.
One of the very few remaining covered bridges we have seen
We have not made one advance reservation for accomodation yet and are paying €25 – 35/person/night for bed and breakfast
Yes, schweinefliesch abounds for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Ulm – old and new in juxtaposition and it works. One of many favourite places
Ulm again. Old and new
Unbelievable stained glass
Cycling towards Donauworth
What happens to old bicycles when they die
Long live Stalin. Found in a headstone factory. It is on for a special price!
The view from one of the many restaurants we have been in. Average price for dinner has been about €11 (includes soup, salad, main course and glass of wine). We are not complaining
Love the colour
Interesting motifs
Contemplating our next vehicular adventure. Or…
Or…
A Peugot
Back to bicycling, I guess
And then there are always the coffee breaks…
And of course so many places we are able to sample local fare
And then there are a few of thosebplaces we cannot cycle sl use the local ferries for 1-2 kilometre jumps
And at the end of the day those fairy tale german towns
In The Interim – Germany by bicycle
Heading to Germany by train from the coast of France and being sent to the wrong Freiburg by SNCF
Pround owners of two bikes about to set off on a 3000km adventure
Sierd trying to make some money in Frieburg. No, just street theatre.
Yes, the weather in Frieburg, and for the 5 days following was not great but the streets were beautifully paved. Puts our stamped concrete to shame.
Retrieving the bikes from the cellar to start out on our first day.
Yes, our first journey was by train from Freiburg to Titisee. Note the moving escalator for the bike to get up the stairs.
Here is where the Donau starts at he bubbling spring in Donaueschingen.
In The Interim – London, England
No it was not raining for the one day I had in London but I could have sang if it had been
Instead a little culture at the Tate Modern
And the interior of the Tate Modern
And then off to the Opera House
And there is always modern London – up and beyond
Including the millenium bridge to the Tate Modern
And so many more bridges
Even the undersides are fascinating
But the pubs are doing a great job
But then it was off to Europe via the eurotunnel
In The Interim – Europe Part 2
Grandparents old home – Brandsby, York
The valley of my grandfather’s farm
Wish this was the grandparent’s home
Aunt’s farmhouse garden
Off to Edinburgh – the Fringe Festival and the tattoo
What keeps me going!
The tattoo
Gathering of the clans
The finale
Sage on sail 