Birdwatching on th Po delta

Bit of a strange campsite location for twitchers as on a noisy road few metres from a very busy beach.  But Dave munched his first pizza and i enjoyed my first frizante before we planned the day. It all looked straight forward in the guide but the Italians don't have an eye for detail. Got lost a lot but had some unexpected experiences including yet another 3 euro ferry across a river to save a 10 mile round trip. No one seems to be working in the villages. Had ice cream  in a bar where about 15 old blokes were playing cards! Back to the birds-wonderful flocks of flamingos, egrets, stilts, shell ducks, and a swoop past by a hen harrier, beeeater, squacco herron, spotted crake. This is not even best bird  time! Best of all our patient wait a bird lookout tower was rewarded when we spotted family of what we think were coypu swimming towards us and then munching right underneath the tower! Dave's pictures give a bit of an idea. Back to camp and then a swim in the warmest water, great. All in all a great adventure. Wonder what the Camargue will bring? Journey on to west coast-Italian riviera and 2 days with Dave's old colleague-in a bed!

Marina di revenna

Before crossing the top of Italy we called to see the skocjan caves, fantastic underground river,  so big. Heading for dellta de po the temperature reached 36 but after a long drive we were down to 28 and rain starting as the tent goes up. While we were driving in the heat we picked up a latte macchiato and a hot water for Nicki's tea,  how cool are we. The journey was lengthened by us having to take a ferry. Filled the car in Slovenia  (Italy was dear ) it took 38 litres and had done 487 mile. 

Opatjia

On our way to Croatians west coast there were 30/40 road stalls selling different honeys.  Driving  north on the coast the bridge to krk  looked impressive but rocky and baron. The sun came out and the temperature rose to 33, glad of the breeze. Pitched in opatjia,  dip in the salty sea, then stroll over to town centre. Another dip after dining then to bed.

Plitvicka jezero

Took the camp bus to the lakes. Amazing place where the hundreds of waterfalls defy logic and petrude out, crystal water,  loads fish. We walked to p3,  took the boat to p2,  walked to st3, train to st1,  then walked a little more. Not quite our usual jaunt as too many tourists but still a must  see place. Only seen the sun a little today but have not needed the rain coats we were advised to bring. Could do with some rain as car is disgusting.
Croatians don't seem as cheery as Slovinians,  especially when we don't have any kuno to pay for stuff.
I've started to enjoy shopping,  they have ac.

Plitvice

We had to show passports as we crossed into Croatia! Stopped for our first drink within a few meters(only latte!).  Ogulin for our picnic lunch then onto Plitvice.
  Slovenia Slovenia all stunning but particularly in the Triglav national park,  rivers so crystal. First impressions of Croatia - good. They quote everything in kuna but seem to accept euros.
Camp site is spacious then down to the river for a cool, around 30 degrees again. So quiet! Maybe some action at the bar later! Nicki has had very little alcohol since the Dolomites!

Ljubljana

Skofja loka for our first drink and toast then onto ljubljana.  Booked in early at the campsite then the bus into town. Lovely centre based around the river and bridges,    butchers bridge and dragons bridge for 2. One square was spraying water as rain, very refreshing plus the best bubble maker I've ever seen, loads of bars and cafes. Still very hot so back to camp and into the pool complex for a chill.

Bohinj 2

Treated to cheese making demo last night,  tasted a bit bland but we should have waited another 3 months.
Up for a 8am bike ride to the source of the river then grabbed some bits and onto bohinsko lake for a dip and swim with the fish, idyllic, and 31 degrees.

Back at camp decided to take another cooling in the river. A mixed grill and salad between us to finish the evening,  hard to beat. .

Bohinj

Up early and a short walk to sunikov vodni, a gorgeous gorge peaceful stunning.
Back to camp,  packed up  and headed on.  From soca to trenta is a memorable road, 1000 metres climb,   50 numbered switchbacks, 25 up, 25 down,  and if I want a  challenge one day, from the trenta side all the switchbacks are cobbled.  We did see several nutters in the heat having a go. Coffee stop on the way then stopped at lake bled. Picturesque but busy,  walked a little and picnic,  very hot.
No room at bohinsko lake camp so pitched at Danica.  Sat in the river, very cold.

Soca river

Up early and booked in by 9. Kayaking down a shallow, crystal clear river but full of rocks and rapids was great fun. Everyone is really friendly and helpful. Looking for bears but the guide said only a few shy ones round here. More in Croatia. The campsite is the most idyllic  yet.
After our siesta  ( it was 30 degrees ) we decided to try to walk to krn lake, after 2hrs uphill we had to concede we had not given ourselves enough time,  water or food and turned back.
Pasta and another stunning sunset.
Filled the car in bovec again, 47 litres,  527 mile. A lot less to the gallon but a lot of mountain passes. I think fuel was 1.08 in Germany,  Italy was 1.35, Slovenia 1.11, was able to pass Italy.

Soco

A sad morning saying goodbye to all at haus valatini, no more chase the ace in the evenings. On the drive over to  bovec we went over the salla  carnazzi pass,  a single track,  12 %, 10 mile pass, up and over beautiful tree clad mountains. Set up camp in soca,   think we'll stay 2 nights.

Nuvolau

Great walk,  5.5 hrs but very active.  The best days weather. Lots of fab views as usual so we are getting a bit blase.  Some scrambling but all doable.Can't believe that we move on tomorrow. 

Lazy day

decided my legs needed a rest today so drove up north , right at Brunico, then right again through Oberhaus, to a beauty spot lake, walked round but the crowds were gathering. carried on round to Cortina, then over to Pian Falzarego,, then back. Stunning views .

The big challenge-Mount de Gurdenacia PP6

3 of us , Dave Nicki and Paul did one of the hard challenges today with 2 others, pp6. It was 3 hours hard climb up including rock scrambling with sheer drops. Amazingly Nicki loved it! Views amazing and lattes as good as ever in the Refugio. Total trip 6 hours. Had a cracking view of 2 perigrines on the scramble.

Giau circuit

8.30 start and 4 chaps and our guide set off. 57 mile 11700 feet strava said, great ride, stunning scenery as usual .Nicki did a moderate walk with the gang up to top of a ski run. Pretty strenuous in places but then cable car down and 5 mile river walk back to Badia so a great day. Evening meal delicious as usual with special birthday cake for Janet. Finished off evening with the usual mass game of chase the ace! 

Runch hut

Todays walk was out of the village 'badia' where we're staying,  up on the cable car and meander down. The pictures tell the story.

Has valetin

Big meal last night,  headache this morn.
A 4hr organised walk to see the first world war defence tunnels at sas de striated.  A mass of working still well preserved,  lovely walk.

Ortis sankt ulrich

Last night was very hot,  we decided to leave the tent unzipped and tolerate the insects. As it started raining we gathered our kit and folded the ground sheet back. Everything was soaked,  a wild night!
Washing line out in the morning and on our bikes.  15 from home and the heavens opened again.
Packed up wet into bolzano to take a look at the iceman, ,,,,,queue.
Journey over the pass we saw the worst rain ever. From 28 in bolzano to 10 over the pass.
Met with nickis uni friends planning our walking week,  hoping for better weather.

Jaufenpass and penser joch pass

I'd forgotten to mention,  after leaving Fussen and just entering Austria there was a very high and long walking suspension bridge over the road. Worth taking a look next time ( highline179).
We've just got out of the pool after setting our pitch at the third campsite we tried.  The first was full, the second on their hols. 21 degrees at the top of the 2 passes we took today.  As we dropped into bolzano it touched 33. With an odd bit of rain and moving towards Merano  it is 28.
The scenery on today's trip was fantastic.  So big vast, sheer,  stunning.
Last night we pitched at St Leonardo in Passiria and as we ate out on the covered balcony of a Pizza place, we witnessed a torrent and thunder storm. Then in the tent around midnight there was lots of flashing and banging.  The heavens opened.
We were still on dry land in the morning,  up at 7am then out 'strolling' up the adjacent river after breakfast. Suprised to find an excellent path we went to Moos, coffee and cake.  In the middle of the village there was an option to purchase fresh milk from a vending machine.  Back to camp , around 6 miles round trip.

Timmelsjoch

Up around 8am, breakfast and off. Decided to take a look at Fussen as it was so close, and posted as the end of the romantic route on one map. Guess what,  an open bike shop who had 2 tyres in the size we needed.  Identical tyres,  one 43 euros the other 45. The owner saw the funny side and was very friendly,  impressed with our pinnerello.  He was saying he sells mostly electric now.
Headed for Imst  and our first coffee and cake.  Then we made our way to Solden for a picnic lunch in a spot of shade we found.  There at the next coffee house the waiter suggested we would have to wait for morning to purchase our toll for the coming pass. Perplexed we drove on, after many switchbacks and climbing we came to the pay booth, 16 euros we were on our way to Italy.
Large vehicles were discouraged,  motor homes 70 euros,  so no large vehicles on this small roaded pass, hundreds of motor bikes.
Several miles after the toll, and a lot more climbing,  we reached the top-21 degrees,  first time we'd been cool for a while. Understatement is to say the road and views were impressive - wow timmelsjoch. 2500 metres,  most of the last section I was in second,  occasionally first and thats not on our bikes.  We had seen several in lycra .
After taking in some mountain air we started the decent,  even more impr...........

Tom Tom let us down for a campsite but google came to the rescue,  so around 4:30 we checked in realising erecting tents in 31.5 is hard.  Gave up erecting and bee lined for the adjacent outdoor swimming pool - great.
As we swim the clouds roll in thank goodness.
While driving it's so hot with the windows open  we realise the air con is working well in our car.

Party

Arrived at Dinkelsbuhl and the field next to river was empty. Bike ride but Nicki's tyre burst. Dave went off on own. Meanwhile, some teenagers arrived to party. Well in the early hours nicki went over to tell them to shut up politely and they did!
Drove round Nordlingen another picture perfect town! Donausworth for our first tea and coffee.  Looked at Rottenbuch for a campsite but only a tiny place and all closed for siesta so carried on.  Schwangau is where it's at. Suddenly bus loads of tourists! The countryside had changed from soft farmland to the foot of the alps. Here on the slopes were 2 stunning schloss.
It was my fault, I backed into a post and broke the lens on the rear sidelight.  Spent some time with super glue and clear tape making a repair  ( balls).
Pitched tent then into the lake  (which was colder ), a pretty site but dearer 30 euros!
Had the first fill up since Dover,  730 miles on 52 litres,  very pleased.
After our swim,  tea and biscuits then a walk along the lakeside for a couple of hours. Flew drone.

Romantic route

Up early and on the road for 8.15am, following a route from a tourist information centre.  Parked up at rothenburg.  Stunning,  picture perfect,  fairy tale town. It was quiet hardly any children,  think we just missed the pied piper,  but lots of Americans.  Could not resist the strudel with my morning coffee.
We walked the walls and took lots of pictures. 
Next stop was dinkelsbuhl, very pretty but the morning had spoilt me. Picnic then pitch up on the edge of town.  Straight into the lake to cool of from the 27 degrees heat. We managed to get about 5 miles out before nickis back tyre burst with a bang.  Managed a crude fix but turned for camp to be safe.  I then went for a spin, got lost many times and ended up chasing back before dark. Recovering in the bar after our pasta - phew.