Day 24, June 26th

Day 24, June 26.

We slept like roses (or whatever the expression is) and therefore never heard any of the fire works last night. Never mind, up and at breakfast by 7.30 and we rode away an hour later. Day remained overcast till sort of mid afternoon but other than a couple of spots of rain it stayed dry and the sun came out lovely and warm which turned the evening into a balmy evening which was lovely whilst we had our dinner outside overlooking the river! As Graeme mentioned it is expected to be sunny and rather warm for the next few days.

Today's ride took us along the northern section of the Danube and we visited various wonderful historic villages such as: Aggsbach-Markt, Willendorf, Spiz, Durnstein, Krems, cross over the river to Tulln, continued from there until we arrived in Zeiselmauer after riding 104km !! In Willendorf we had a look at the Archaeological site where some rail way workers found an 11cm fertility figure in the ice age loess.. The limestone figure representing a plump naked female caused an sensation, and is regarded as an expression of female fertility, or as a symbol of “magna mater”.

The fields have changed too, today we cycled through some vineyards, fields with sunflowers (unfortunately, not flowering as yet), the wheat and corn fields as well as some orchards with some cherry trees (season is nearly over) and apricot trees . Further, there were stretches were we cycled along the Danube and through some forest. I enjoyed the variety of villages and landscapes. We had our lunch seated on a bench right at the river with some forest behind us! It was a lovely quiet spot, the river flowed, some riverboats came by and there were a couple of swans on the river. The little stretch of grass in front of us was full of different grasses and wild flowers, bees busily going about their work as were the ants and some butterflies frolicked by as well , so much action in this peaceful little spot!

The other bit of excitement came about when after lunch it was time for me to find a bush and spend a penny, so to speak, when just when I was ready to lower my pants my eye caught sight of a SNAKE (little one mind you ), so I thought: 'whow, moving right along', when a moment later there was an other one!!!!! Graeme had noticed my fright but was a bit surprised about my snake comment as we both didn't think there were snakes in Austria?! But, low and behold when after dinner we walked up to the castle (which seem to be no longer in use as it all looked old and dilapidated) and we saw another snake, no kidding!!!! So I must find someone who can tell me a bit more e.g. are they poisonous??

Well, with this little bit of excitement I leave you all for today. Happy reading,!