Riding Helga

 After checking out the weather radar a few days previously, we decided that due to the huge amount of storms visiting soon that we would cut and run for home rather than waste money on 2 more wet days. After a decent continental breakfast provided by Thierry we left Berquin around 0800 for an hours ride to the tunnel. It was a fairly easy route to check in and get through French passport control only for me to be quizzed where I'd been by UK Border Force. They seemed to get bored by the time I'd recounted my whereabouts for the first week and waved me on with a bored look. The train was quite empty, possibly the early time? Only a couple of showers were experienced on the roughly 2 hour journey home and even the Dartford tunnel was a breeze. Mark and I parted ways at Bar Hill with a customary fist bump at speed 😁 I made it home around 1130 to an empty house so could get my laundry in straight away. After 3331 miles, 9 countries, no accidents and over 300 photos, it's been...

The day started well, firing up the boxers at 0700. We kept the noise level up as the 2 Germans and 5 Czechs had kept us awake most of the night with their coughing, belching, flatulence and general demeanour and after a rendition of The Great Escape played on an Akropovic it was off we went. First travelling through Schengen, scene of the agreement signing. After knocking out near on 100 miles on the motorway we arrived in Givet and stopped for breakfast which consisted of coffee and a pastry, an ongoing tradition on this tour. It's always nice when travelling through this area of Europe to stop and pay respect at any number of Commonwealth Graves dotted around the area. It was sad to see 2 of my namesakes buried at the cemetery we chose at random. Tonight's abode is a lovely little gite style place owned by a nice French man called Thierry, who even put the Union flag out for us 🇬🇧 though upside down, t...

Set off from the Lake campsite after saying wiedersehen to the nice German couple we shared it with and then stopped at the first bakerei we found for coffee and pastries. More coffee because I'd already broken in my new moka pot first thing 😀 From Germany into France we crossed the Rheinbruke Wintersdorf, which looked like it's been there since the war. and now we've ended up back in France, alongside the river Moselle. It's now a straight shot to Calais.

Another lazy day with regard to miles done today (187). Left camp early to visit Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial. It was a very sombre 90mins spent walking around reading, aghast at the horrors committed there by that Nationalist regime. When the temp hit 28° it was time to get back on the bikes and cool down a bit, both of us very quiet with our thoughts. Next stop was Blaustein and a visit to Edwin Rommels grave, a strange choice but one which was on the route homewards. Made out way to a pretty pants campsite by a lake, they all seem to love taking cash only 🤔

Layed up short today after a long day yesterday, about 120 miles. Said a sad goodbye to Margaret this morning who plied us with coffee which Mark had guilt tripped her into. Looking toward to visiting Dachau concentration camp but when the temp reached 36° we found a campsite close by Dachau and near a lake. After a few games of connect 4, a few beers and some Schnitzel it was time for an early bed readily for Dachau and onwards to Ulm in the morning.

Checked weather radar first thing this morning, had breakfast including scrambled eggs, bacon etc and headed for the Austrian border. Whilst Slovenia is beautiful, I can read or speak none whatsoever 🫢 Had a little stop for some espresso at a beautiful aquamarine lake in Italy. A nice highlight was the SS52 up to the old border post. We had to leave them a small souvenir of our stay on their signage 😆 Taking the B111 along the side of a mountain was another pleasure as well as some more coffee ☕️  and finding some picturesque sites along the way. Finally ending up at a little campsite in Matrei in Osttirol. 

No breakfast this morning but strong coffee and moka pot was supplied by the camp owner and his wife 😀 We knew we were heading for Slovenia and that it wasn't going to take all day so decided to detour to the Adriatic coast and have a paddle in the Adriatic. There were a LOT of Italians holidaying on the beach and we stood out like a couple of snowmen. The temp down on the coast was 36° and it was then an hour to Lokve in Slovenia on some beautiful mountain roads nearly 1000mts above sea level. Ended up with some lovely schnitzel for dinner and some nutty pancakes. and a bit of a rain dance to keep the clouds away tomorrow 🤣

It's becoming more difficult to remember where I've been during the day. Breakfast started with some ice cold grapefruit juice and what tasted like Italy's version of a jaffa cake which I was very pleased about. Also some parma ham, bread and honey. We then travelled to Lake Garda, playground of the rich and famous (George Clooney, Brad Pitt etc) but didn't meet any of them, probably didn't get my emails 🤷🏼‍♂️ My must do on this tour was the Strada della Forra and it was definitely not to be missed. I didn't get any photos but did video the whole ride, that'll follow when I get back 😃 Prices for camping around Lake Garda are extortionate so we went a little further afield, found a small "site" on Google maps. We arrived to what was essentially a couples house and pitched in their garden, they couldn't be more helpful. Giving out beers, WiFi password and allowing us to use their kitchen, and tea...