Sex on the Beach…and the final day. 19 and 20 June

 Oh dear…well, the day wasn’t very productive as far as photos went, so I had to manufacture a photo opportunity by ordering a cocktail of the day: Sex on the Beach! Have had an hilarious evening pretending to play Trivial Pursuit with the Oirish (American version). They are total quiz fiends so I wasn’t any help, but just laughed and laughed. So now I’m too exhausted to write my blog as have to get some sleep before the final 50 km push tomorrow. More then…

Okay…I’m back, having completed the final 50 km of this most wonderful cycle tour!

The bikes are all packed onto the top deck and we’ve set sail for Passau. I’ve had a wonderful hot shower and am sitting on my bed watching villages, churches, castles…and hot cyclists, drift past my cabin window. What bliss. This has been a truly amazing experience and I’m grateful that I have felt well enough to do it- and that Chaz has encouraged and supported me to tick this off my bucket list.

But I’d better finish off yesterday’s story before getting onto today’s…

I felt I’d done enough sightseeing in central Vienna and wasn’t keen to tackle inner city traffic on a bike.

So I started by going back to Nussdorf and cycling uphill for 2 kms into the vineyards above the town. Not something I would have done without an e-bike (although many young strong Austrians seemed to be using this as their training route).

Then I bravely found my way back onto the Danube cycle path-surprisingly poor signage in places. Which I also noticed as I whizzed along and didn’t see any signs pointing to the big Prater park. Finally thought to ask Mr Google, who proceeded to guide me through aforementioned city streets to the amusement park at the top of the park. This is the home of the very old and ornate wooden Ferris wheel that’s still in use. I didn’t feel like coughing up 20 Euros to join thousands of screaming kids, so instead Geli, Ian and I found a lovely cafe in the gardens for lunch, then had a walk through some part of them. It was a public holiday-Corpus Christi, so many families were out enjoying the beautiful day. Then another hot search for the river path before I could whizz back to the Princess. SOoo hot today…about 30 so pleased to get back to my cool cabin for a rest before braving a pirate-themed dinner. Seeing I’d forgotten to bring an eye patch and parrot along, I didn’t do the dress up thing…mainly it was the jolly groups of Germans and Austrians who made the effort.

Vienna under a heat haze

A terrifying fun fair ride! ( I didn’t go on it!)

Ingrid and Bert

The crew had the t-shirts

And now for today…

We cycled through the Wachau Valley where much of Austria’s wine is produced. They also grow apricots and make apricot (marilla) everything…liqueurs, juices, jams, chocolates, ice cream…and I didn’t taste any of it!

After 10 kms on the route we reached the beautiful walled village of Dernstein, sadly already awash with tourists by 10 am and full of trashy souvenir shops ( that’s something Austria doesn’t do well and the same items appear everywhere).

I linked up with Gim and Yin and we rode through many lovely flower-filled villages and also vineyards and apricot orchards. Not too much time to linger as we had a deadline to get back to the boat.

Now time to rest before our final Gala dinner…when I will have another chance to don The Dress!

Dernstein from the boat

Legend has it that Richard the Lionhearted was captured and kept in the ruined castle on the hill. No real evidence though!

Dernstein…walls, famous blue church and abbey

1st century(!) Church of St Michael

Beautifully kept graveyards at the more recently built St Michael’s 

Gim and Yin

Gim was mortified that he didn’t have time to sample the fish-on-a-stick!