Southern Bavaria & Austria part 17 - Homeward bound

So I made it to Calais an hour before check in to find a massive queue at passport control - some kind of staffing problem by the time I got thru I was told I had to wait an hour for the next ferry, this in itself was late and we didn't actually board till 2.45. No matter I had the good fortune to meet Vincent who was from Belgium  and touring the south east and maybe the Cotswolds on his rather smart looking Triumph Thruxton with a few addons. Wonderful guy a lone spirit who has seen many parts of the world. We ate lunch together and the sail to Dover went like a snap listening to his tails. Anyway we exchanged emails. All the best Vincent I'd like to take you up on that offer of a beer sometime.

Southern Bavaria & Austria part 16 - Chamouille

Since the last post  I decided to head toward a place I have stayed before on previous trips in the Chemin de Dames ( valley of the dames )Picardie Champagne region. This hotel is on a lake a bit pricey but I managed to knock him down a bit off the regular tariff but since I have done well and camped out more than I thought and one nighters what the hell the 300 Miles up from the Vosges was murder in this heat,all I could think of was the swimming pool - diving in to cool off. So, I checked in got my trunks on sod the wedding part having photos - ba doosh as I belly flop in next to them. Anyway, puts me 2 hours from Calais with ease. Time to check out the restaurant menu. Cheers!

Southern Bavaria & Austria part 15 - Vosges

Can't say I had a good night sleep last night July 14th is a national holiday in France - Bastille Day and after a traditional Alsace stew of pork and lamb with potatoes and salad a beer and then a drop of the Alsace wine I would have hoped to drift off asleep in the tent but alas fireworks lit up the sky over Colmar.fireworks are great for 30 mins or so but  2hours worth really ? I was ready to start my own revolution - les miserable no kidding!

This morning packed up after breakfast of pain au chocolate followed by croissant preordered at the camp site and my Nescafé sachet on the camp stove consumed by the riverside  Bon Bon. So after packed up and headed to Colmar for a wander. Here's pictures of Petit Venis (little venice)) 

Then left Colmar to ride the route de vins down to Munster then up to Selestat following the Alsace wine route that twists and turns thru the Vosges vineyards either side of the road. Once finished I plotted a route in the direction of Reims just over 200 miles. Now have 100 left to do. Need to get within range of Calais for tomorrows lunchtime crossing to Dover.

Southern Bavaria & Austria part 14 - B31 to Colmar

Just 2ks from Colmar now, took the B31 that hugs the north east of Lake Konstanz and then on to Freiburg crossing the Rhine thereafter - that's a huge river !

Heres pics of lake Konstanz from the 31

The crops in the foreground are hops. The whole valley is full of them either side of the 31 for miles and miles. Explains why I passed thru a village with a brewery last night.

Some flowers for Helen - home soon x

Southern Bavaria & Austria part 13 - Thunder Road

My new name for the Deutch Alpenstrasse. This road just kept flowing snaking its way thru some of the most amazing scenery every bend was Ideal roll on roll the power off into valleys streams forests azure blue lakes then climbing up an over mountainous roads, leafy glades then a small toll road next to a stream. 

I made Fussen with ease by 3.30 170 miles. I kept coming across this lady German biker on a bandit I'd overtake her and she'd catch me up then take me. Occasionally I'd do the GS standby up thing to cool my bum, she'd mimic me and do the same on the bandit with a little wiggle. I must say best looking rear end of any Bandit I've seen (no offence Lindsay or Mark ! ). After a while I peeled off into Fussen  and we waved our byes.

After a short stop I headed out to Neuschwanstein castle.

It was busy with tourists so decided to ride the 70 or so miles and continue on Thunder Road (tramps like us baby we were born to run) yes listening to Springsteen again. Toward Lindau. Great end to the day 245 miles in total.

Hers some pics of Lake Bodensee/Konstanz

You can see the Swiss Alps in the distance! I made it to a nice campsite by 7pm room for just me left 15 euro.

Heading for Colmar today Sunday 150 miles. More later.

Southern Bavaria & Austria part 12 - Alpenstrasse

Another glorious day. Today I ride from Konigssee toward Fussen along the Alpenstrasse. It's quite a distance so I may stop on the way see how it goes it's already pushing the late 20's and the heat saps energy on the bike.

Here's the hotel I stayed last night  I'm on McDonald's for tea now! All other gasthaus were full wouldn't accept me for one night only and I didn't think much of the camp site so luxury it was..!

Saddle up wheels rolling' yee haa!

Southern Bavaria & Austria part 11 - Salzburgland

Here's the Czech lot I mentioned Having their brekky too. Nice bunch they all waved me off and gave me email to exchange photos.

Great ride up the river around more lakes and a sunny 18 deg c cool enough to enjoy the traffic around Salzburg.

Walked past Mozarts place and sat in mcds for a snack remember what pulp fiction taught us a quarter pounder with cheese is a hamburger royale !

Off to berchesgarden now.