This week’s on this day post comes from the 11th-November-2011. And I’m in Austria a couple of weeks into my ride around the world. I had intended to camp on the European leg of my trip and then use hotels and guesthouses once I reached Asia. But I hadn’t realised how short the days were in central Europe or how cold it was. And besides, hotels were so much easier!
I vividly remember my night in Vienna, or rather my night in Wien. On my map, I was staying in a place called Wien, which is German for Vienna! And even when the girl gave me a map of Vienna I didn’t realise, I just thought she gave me the wrong map!
Friday 11th November. Amstetten to Vienna 76 miles.
Another pleasant evening spent in a hotel. And as always, I ate in the hotel’s restaurant. It saves me from having to go and look for somewhere to eat! Plus, I’m usually too knackered to move far! After supper, I sat with a beer to write the day’s blog. I’d just about finished and was about to head up to bed when the hotel owner came over with a bottle of schnapps and two glasses. She wanted to raise a toast to me and wish me a safe and pleasant onward journey! What a lovely gesture the schnapps went down well!
It was bitterly cold this morning. In fact, it was so cold the shorts have been retired, and I’ve put my trousers on. I think that might be the end of my shorts for a while now! Although it’s been nice and warm in the sun, but that wind was bitter! And it’s been blowing directly against me all day.
I saw a sign for Eurovelo route 6 today. Which is the route I was following last year along the Loire Valley. I did debate following it for part of the way today, but after thinking about it, I decided against it. I’ll save that ride for another day and follow the route all the way to the Black sea.
It’s been a tough ride today after cycling into that headwind. And then, right at the end of the day, came a big hill. I would have stopped if I had the option, especially as it was already dark. But with no hotels around, there wasn’t any other option but to push on. But as soon as I arrived in Vienna, I stopped at the first hotel I came across, which might not be in the city’s best area.
Interesting Views From The Hotel
Across the road from my hotel window is a large car park, which is very busy with cars driving in. Taking a slow drive around and then heading back out, which I thought was a little strange. That was until I looked a little closer. The car park seems to be the main point for picking up prostitutes. I didn’t see them at first because they were on the side of the lamp posts. But as I look now, there are loads of them. The cars seem to come in, drive around to find the prostitute they want, and then drive off with them!
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