Day 385 8th August
31 miles (Konigstein to Varnsdorf) Average speed 8.5 mph Top speed 28 mph
A lovely day back in the mountain woodlands.
I got up at 8 for brekkie of cheese and chorizo rolls followed by an apple and cinnamon cake from the baker on site. I left at 11.30 and followed the cycle path, but a Dutch couple told me it was closed, so we had to wait for several trains to pass; one had 28 carriages ( I was getting bored so I counted them) then rejoined cycle path along Elbe to Schone where I got ferry for 2.50€ into Czech Rep.
There were many tax free shops and I had a coke before setting off up the hills. As I reached the first peak I was overtaken by Mojmir on a folding bike with a couple of small panniers. We chatted and rode together for about an hour. He had just returned from visiting his daughter and grandson in Nottingham and was having a walking and biking holiday here. He lives in Prague and is a teacher so has plenty of holidays, but I’m not sure his wife likes him spending them on the road. We reached the village where he was meeting friends and he invited me for a beer. I had no Czech currency so was delighted to accept even though it was only lunchtime, that broke one of my golden rules and he bought me a liquid lunch of Pilsner Urquell.
I should have ordered food, but as he was leaving I decided to carry on to the next town to get money and food there. I climbed many hills and enjoyed the woodlands but was running low on energy.
Eventually I found a Chinese shop which took cards and bought bread for my cheese and chorizo with a chocolate ice cream which had melted by the time I got to eat dessert. It was a nice town with a river running through and kids feeding the ducks.
Then I carried on and met a few local cyclists who asked where I was heading, but communications soon broke down when they didn’t speak English. I found the campsite but was feeling tired so when I asked in the bar if I could camp and she said that the site was closed for renovations, but I could camp by the lake for free, I was more than happy.
I celebrated by ordering a beer and looking out over the lake. Thankfully as it’s near the border they take euros. I set up the tent and went back for a few more beers and a wonderful mixed grill and the total bill came to 14€. I was definitely happy to give this waitress a tip as the service was great. I was last to leave and in bed by 11.30.
Tomorrow will hopefully take me through a bit more of Germany and on to Poland. A pretty good day by all accounts. Bring on Poland.
Free camping next to lake as site is closed.