To Cortina via Grossglockner Pass

Not long after setting off I was straight into it up the pass. Cloudy conditions turned into a real pea-souper and the sat nav was handy to see the next corner coming.


How high did I get?

How do you get this high?


The recipe is to take a few of these.

Mix some straights in, whisper a few FFS's, close your eyes and hey presto!

Oh - and a few tunnels.

Dropped down into Italy. First time in this country and as I went over the border I realised that although I can get by with pigeon Spanish/German/French - I have absolutely no idea about Italian. I soon learned to just shout loudly as close as possible to peoples faces and it seems to work OK....


First stop by the Lake to fill my boot.

Then up a dead end toll road to get some views.

You leave you mark on the mountain by saying it with stones.

I rolled down into Cortina just as it was about to start raining. Good timing and nice hotel. My balcony is on the second floor - two centre windows.

Quick question

What do Europeans do with either:

• 1 finger?
• 2 fingers?
• 4 fingers?
• a thumb?
• the whole hand?

and Brits can only use their head?












Acknowledge passing bikers ;-)

To Zell am See

The first road of the day is up the Oberjoch Pass (previously called the Adolf Hitler Pass...).


The road was closed for 6 weeks to be resurfaced. It's now as smooth as Robbo's bum.

Lot's of lakes

The odd ski jump (Garmish)

Bumped into Bernhard Langer's new golf course.......

Walkies......who said walkies???

 Another great natural park area

This ones my kinda spot.

Plenty of sailors and kite surfers out.

Classic jag

Krimml waterfalls, the 5th highest in the world. In summer they look after 57,000 litres/sec. In winter this reduces to 350!!

Parked up for the night in Zell am See.

One for Smithy.

Retired for the night at Crazy Daisy's

Tomorrow - Grossglockner!!


http://www.grossglockner.at/en/

One life - Live It

OK, it's an often used phrase, but yesterday I received some bad news from back home. A pal of mine has unexpectedly passed away! Only in his early 50's. He worked hard and played hard.


Since my 'mid life crisis' 3 years ago I am now riding a machine I never believed I would be able to and have put nearly 20,000 miles on it touring Scotland, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, France, Spain and as part of this trip Italy.


I did think twice about making this trip on my own.


Decision vindicated :)

To Bavaria

Todays run is to come out of the Plazerwald nature park, drop into the Black Forest, come out into the Danube valley and end at Hotel Hirsch in Bad Oberdorf (where I spend my winter hols skiing). 550km with no motorway!!!


Thank God for GPS. Twice today, without warning, the road was closed for roadworks. Press the GPS detour button and Bob's your Uncle.


The Black Forest.

'Protect the Homeland'

Never mind the homeland - get Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal i.e. Europe sorted.......


The Black Forest provides the source of the Danube, Europe's second longest river at 1,700 miles, which goes on to empty into the Black Sea.


I stopped at a riverside 'bohemian' cafe in Tuttlingen.

Then a nice ride up the valley which at some points becomes like a gorge.

Even found a Landrover dealer!

Stopped at Sigmaringen - nice 'n historic

Also historic bikes.....

If it looks like it and smells like it.......

it probably is it - THE ALPS. Time to taste :)


Lake Alpsee near Immenstadt.

My destination - Hotel Hirsch

Can't keep the locals away from the bike..........

Can you trust yourself?

I'm getting paranoid!!


Normally with two of you can should be able to cover all the bases - but one up I'm losing confidence in myself. This morning I've left the cabin and sat waiting to dock and the spider sense is going overtime. I realise I've left my specs, go back to the cabin and they are nowhere to be seen. 5 mins of recollection later and I find they have dropped off the shelf into the bin!!


I need to get some self confidence back, otherwise I'll just be going round checking every pocket/zip/bag all the time.


The ride to Hull was wet.  Feckin wet :(


Today had a good run down. Called in to see Lewis and Jenson just as the clouds melted big time over Spa.


Came off the motorway for a dordle down the Moselle valley.


Very nice.

Held up by a fire in a tunnel which had all the emergency services out.

Cable cars even come across the road around here.

Destination for tonight.

Two tractors in one garage

Say hello to my colleague for the trip - Wietzen beer.