Sunday 19th October 2014 - Really cold, not as cold as Wiltz, but still foundering last night.
Gas ran out this morning as well, about 45 seconds after lighting it. So got up and luckily there was a stocked kitchen, no kettle, but pans and a cooker...ahhh heat.
One of the cats came in while I was waiting on the water boiling. I scooped it up and cuddled it to try and extract some of its furry warmth. It actually feel asleep in my arms.
Yes, I hadn't turned the cooker up to full heat, after wondering why it was taking so long to boil. Brain obviously froze overnight too.
After planning to leave early, I left at 12pm, argh. It's going to be a big day too. Hoping to make Bratislava, about 120km from here, Traismauer.
Blasted to McDonald's 30km away in Tulln, with the help of Pure Heroine (Lorde album), for food. Sundays the shops are closed.
On my way I saw a group of cyclists with panniers in the distance. Got closer and saw it was the New Zealand family from the Grein campsite, on the rainy day.
Caught up to them and pedalled a bit with them chatting. They are doing eight months world tour and have cycled through Italy, Switzerland and Austria. The girls, I think about 8 and 12 years old, both had their own bags on their bikes. They are finishing in Vienna today and then going to Budapest to sightsee, before flying to Asia to tour around for another couple of months, not on bikes though. Really nice family.
Headed on to McDonalds. Just as I was finishing up, they arrived in.
Today has also been really cold. The misty river fog hadn't lifted and the air was quite cold when cycling along. Still just wearing three quarter length Endura baggies though. Toes frozen for most of day, as socks and shoes still damp.
Finally the sun did manage to put in an appearance about 2pm. So did all the Sunday day out people.
Into Vienna along the river. Have been in the city before, so just followed the signs on past. It went through various roads and paths and was like a race track. Road bikers in full Lycra dodging in and out and round all the other cyclists and walkers at speed, had to really keep an eye out.
Route took me over to the other side of Danube. I didn't want to be on that side, as Bratislava is reached by the right bank, but looking at map couldn't see an easy way without going into the city, so just followed the signs.
The path went on for ages. It was along the grassy banks and lots of people out walking, roller blading, skate boarding, cycling, bbqing, playing football, wrestling.....
On and on and on. Every so often when passing a drain getting a vomit inducing whiff of the stench coming up from them too.
5.30pm and it was about 20km to Orth an der Donau. Knew I wouldn't make Bratislava in daylight, so just decided I'd stay there and go to Slovakia in the morning, as I really want to see the UFO bridge and the castle on the hill on the way in.
So, finally pulled off the grass bank and went through a stunningly beautiful Shell oil refinery (I think that's what it was), for a good bit.
Then it turned into a nature reserve. Sun now setting and there was a lovely red sky (didn't come out too well in photos though).
Stopping for photos was a nightmare, as a plague of hungry mossies decended to eat me each time.
Into Orth in the dark. Saw a few signs coming off the cycle route, before the town, for various types of accommodations.
Into town, cycled round. One of the pensions (like a b&b) was being rebuilt, one was in darkness and there was a nice looking hotel. Really fancied it, but only €39 in my pocket.
Last pension at top of town, so decided I'd go and look at it and then have the hotel as a last resort option.
Pension Sabine, €35 for bed and buffet breakfast. Nice courtyard with big pond. Lady said you can swim in it, I said maybe not tonight thanks. Bike parked in a secure garage.
Only about 20-30km from Bratislava, so will get up have breakfast and a short day tomorrow (hopefully).
Still cold.
Day 51 - 19.10.14
Traismauer to Orth an der Donau, Austria
12pm to 6.30pm
4hr 45min cycling
97.9km
2699 calories
577 metres asc
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