9th May (sunny and warm 18C) 32km

Had a great first night in the tent sleeping soundly despite the light we had camped under and the train track about 100 metres away.  According to Marcus and Esther there had been some trains coming through but they didn’t bother us.  Julia began yesterday’s blog about 6am.  She hasn’t been writing too much, I’ve been hogging it, so once she completed her marathon effort, she popped over to shower and I read her blog and added a couple of things.

Today was to be a catch up.  After spending time with Katja and Stefan, where we were so well looked after that we didn’t do a thing, it was now time to buy a some data for our ‘Dongle’, so that we can access the internet without trying to find Wifi, plus we require some camping gas, so we can at least eat some hot food.

Julia back from shower and we march over to the shop where we bought two rolls, a banana an ice coffee, because we couldn’t find milk and two chocolate croissants….start as you mean to go on, is our motto!  Then, as Marcus and Esther were also up, we decided to venture into Lindau, to look for our stuff and Marcus needed a new bike computer as his old one fell off the bike yesterday. Rode in, checked a couple of electronic shops….no go….wanted us to spend 110 Euro on a hot spot device and to configure it. Germany gave us the same problem last time we were here, but the device we got then, doesn’t work in these parts…..? Did get some advice….go to Austria.  Jesus… you may shout… that’s a bit extreme, except that the Austrian border is only 400 metres away and Bregenz about 4km.

the view as we cycled round the lake - two weeks ago it was snowing on the alps down to 1200 metres

So, off we cycle, at least Marcus had what he needed!  The weather was definitely cooler, although nice for riding. Overcast, but still with a warmth of a kind. Found a shop, but to our dismay, they couldn’t help either, so we’ve decided that we’re going to try to find hot spots somehow, however, this could mean our viewing public may be waiting for a few days for another chapter!  Into tourist info, where they told us of a hot spot down on the promenade, where they even had seats.  Sceptical to say the least, we ventured there and ensconsed ourselves on a park bench, where Julia got online and did her magic.  Great stuff…..so, now we could eat and after buying some food from the supermarket, we rode a short distance to a lovely vantage point overlooking the lake and Bregenz where we enjoyed a nice lunch. 

One for Georgie

The sun, now contained some real heat and Ju caught a few zzzzzzz’s on the bench after watching a swan preening himself. Rode back to Lindau for a wander around again, but I think we covered most of it yesterday, so after an ice cream and a couple of photos, rode to the supermarket to purchase stuff for tonight and breakfast. 

some nice flowers at the park where we got wifi

Forgot to mention that we also bought our camping gas on the way in. Whilst Julia sorted her bags, in the tent, I sat in the laundry, with the door open, as clothes were drying, using the only powerpoint to charge our laptop and write todays blog.  She then went for a shower whilst I carried on with the blog and then when I went for mine, she kept an eye on the room to make sure no one went in. The camp owners hate to think you should have anything for free over here, so covert computer charging ops. are normal. 

A zeppelin flies over the lake regularly - I wasn't interested
after the Hindenberg and Pete wasn't interested unless it
had some Led in it

Ate a delicious tea of chilli con carne and salad and then Ju, Esther and Markus went for a walk down by the lake and I washed the dishes and kept an eye on things.

Julia here – down by the lake there were a number of people watching the sun go down and among them was a guy with two dogs.  He was trying to

take a selfie with them so I 

went and offered to take their photo using English of course and he happened to be English and was delighted to hear another English speaking person.  He and his wife had been travelling in their camper van for four weeks and had not met another English person!  So we all had a nice chat while patting his lovely dogs, both of which were rescue dogs.  One had recently had his broken leg repaired at a cost of $10,000!!!

Back at camp we all had a coffee and chocolate and waffles and muesli bars before heading to bed at 9.30pm.  We were all tired but we’d done nothing much today – what will we feel like when we’ve done a day’s cycling!

Lindau

Tomorrow begins with a big climb out of here on our way to Alpsee.  Hopefully the weather stays nice as the scenery should be spectacular as we skirt the northern edge of the Austrian Alps.