Interesting Discoveries:

• The Donau river temperature is not that cold – Mark checked this out!!
• The Fahre (ferry) has a large bell that you ring for service if he is on the other side of the river.
• Bike tubes are available in dispensers along the RADWEG (bike path)
• There are many lizards and snakes found in the woods including the viper snake, the largest snake in Germany – luckily it did not cross our path.

Highlights:

Rain and thunderstorms were forecast  for the afternoon so we planned a short day 1 following the NORTH bank route passing the Bavarian forest and into Austria. The Donau (Danube) has cut  a path 300m deep through the mountain ridge. Most of the valley slopes are covered with mixed woods.

We were cruising for an easy first stage win today when our lead was almost sabotaged…..  by a peloton full of Australians!! Our route included a bike/pedestrian Fahre (ferry) crossing at the end of our journey to Engelhartszell. We were ready to board but the ferry captain said he had to wait for a large group of 40 riders that were 5 minutes behind us – The Australians!!…. We all piled on board, with our bikes going on last. This was OK as we were first off and hence will wear the yellow jersey tomorrow!! We enjoyed a chat on the crowded ferry and discovered some were from our home town of Melbourne/Templestowe — it is a small world!!

Our accommodation over looks the Donau River and the village is famous having Austria’s only Trappist monastery and of course a beautiful church.