Day 1,389
Riding down the Danube
So off we went, heading for Vienna, besides the Danube, naturally. The only issue with this plan is occasionally those clever path builders diverted us off it now and again. To be honest this was always quite fun and often added a bit of entertainment to the ride. We particularly like the traffic light red and green man signs. In Mainz it was a smurf but in Austria they add a little more. For red we get a picture of a walker waiting, besides a picture of a cyclist, one foot on the ground, for green the cyclist is in full on pedal mode with the walker marching along beside.
Then we'd pop back to the Danube, we had the river to look at, flowing downstream with us. Sometimes a bit choppy as the wind roughed up the surface, but during these last few days of calm it has been mirror-like, creating pictures worthy of any of Vienna's many art galleries.
Which way is up?
Above us were castles perched precariously on mountainsides and hill tops. In the far distance we could see the snow capped peaks of the alps, and once again gave thanks that we hadn't decided to head to Switzerland with @tourdelars, who did. It’s been rather hilly and chilly for poor Lars, he's young though!
Snow capped peaks in the distance
Naturally we've camped beside the Danube, be tough not too! Our tent allows us to lie in our sleeping bags with a side entrance open. From here we could watch the views at night and as the sun rose. Tom braved the chilly morning and opted to sit on some steps besides the River, he was lucky enough to see a beaver swimming close by, unfortunately as soon as Tom shouted for Debs, the beaver dived and disappeared, too quick to get a photo of anything other than a ripple on the surface.
The evening view
Morning sunrise
As we neared Vienna we had a rather unique tourist site to cycle by. A nuclear power station, but with a difference, built but never operational. The Zwentendorf, was part of a planned three sites, however public opinion was against the use of nuclear power and a referendum was held on 5 November 1978. Whilst in the UK we were busy celebrating the guy who tried to blow up our parliament, here, the Austrians voted against the nuclear option. No gunpowder needed. The site is used, but not to split any atoms, you can see it featured in quite a few movies and even take a tour. We didn't as we have a place we'd rather be, Austria’s capital city, Vienna. Famous for its architecture, museums, historical palaces, churches and most important of all, coffee houses with cake.
Zwentendorf Nuclear Power Plant
I'm sure the next blog will feature at least one of the above!
