Time for an Update - Donaueschingen to the outskirts of Vienna

The last post was from Donaueschingen, the source of this great river the Danube.  It started as a tiny stream, that slowly grew and grew.

The merging of two streams that come together to become the Donau or the Danube just outside Donaueschingen

One of the many solar power installations we came across in Germany.  Keith calculated that there are 1.5 mgawatts being generated from this barn.  Sometimes a small power station only generates this much power.  Solar Energy is huge in Germany, we saw so many installations, even small villages where about 70% of the roofs were completely covered with solar panels.  It was quite inspiring to see such development and it makes you wonder why is Aust so far behind when we have so much sun??

Part of the first days ride from Donaueschingen, some of the most beautiful riding of the trip (I know, I keep saying that).

The beginnings of the limestone area that characterized the 2nd days ride on the still small Danube

A castle on a hilly outcrop of the limestone area which the upper part of the Danube flows through.

Wide open spaces between the limestone hills in the upper reaches of the Danube.

A resting place on the Danube along the way

A bikers lunch at the Abbey.  I am sitting on the thick wall overlooking the valley at one of the many Abbeys and Cloisters we came across through the ride.  There have been so many Abbeys, Cloisters and Cathedrals throughout the ride and it is really interesting to contemplate the joint power of religion and royalty throughout history, particularly in Europe.  The majesty of these places must have been really over-whelming to people in the middle ages who lived in very basic conditions and then came to these churches which are completely magnificent.

This is the source of the Blau River, on of the many rivers that feed into the Danube.  This was a beautiful clear pool.  This is an undeground spring which surfaces at the rate of 139 ltrs/ sec.  The water is amazingly clear.

I can't recall the name of this town....  so many towns, so many castles, so many churches, but I do recall it was a warm Sunday evening and it was fun to watch people float past riding the current.  The river, as you can see has grown!

Weltenburg Abbey - confessions while you wait...  Kinda like meals on wheels.....  Danube in the background....

Regensburg ...once was the second largest city in Germany.  This is the oldest bridge on the Danube - built from 1135 - 1145.  Regensburg is a beautiful old city with lots of character and a great place to wander through narrow alleys and amazing buildings

Passau - the last major stop on the German part of the Danube.  Three rivers merge here, the Inns, the Ilz and the Danube.  From here on the Danube is truly a mighty force and it is quite awesome.

Another view of Passau

more of Passau

The river 

Early kms of the ride in Austria

More of the Danube in Austria

Another rest spoton the Danube in Austria - there were so many beautiful places to sit and contemplate the river and of course life!

Morning coffee in Linz, Austria - the time to eat cake varies, sometimes the morning, sometimes the afternoon, sometimes both morning and afternoon.

This is for Peppa and Katy - a beautiful caterpillar enjoying the foliage beside the Danube

The Abbey in Mertz.  An amazing place.  This was the view from our dining table and the conversation took a very Keith turn.  He asked me - how do they paint the gutters and down pipes - not to mention do all the rest of the maintenance required on a place like this?  Had I thought of that?  What do you think?