Heritage Tour

Easy day today. Susan got her hair cut and colored and I got mine cut in Nagykanizsa. She bought new bike shorts and tights. Then we rode through mixed farmland and forest to Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe. It's a big grape growing region and resort area. The people at our guesthouse snd the market were shocked that we are American. They see lots of Hungarians, Germans, maybe a Czech and once a Swede. But no Americans - they go to Budapest.

Regarding food, regrettably, the quality of our grub has declined steadily as we've traveled north. In Turkey, Greece and Albania we lived well on bread, salads and grilled meat, including fresh fish Quality fruit and vegetables were abundant But the food got heavier as we went north. More starches, sauces, cheese, cured meat and sausage. Hungarian food is really hearty stuff. We're shopping in the markets more but the selection is limitedЧитать далее

In the morning, we worked our way into Brno, the second largest city in the Czech Republic with a population of about 400,00. The city looks worn out and tired but it has a beautiful cathedral and castle, both dating back to the 14th century. The castle was used during the Austro-Hungarian period as a prison for the worst-of-the worst. In took us half the day to get through Brno.

With Brno behind us we had a nice restaurant lunch, got back on the EuroVelo 9, and rolled into the Moravian Karst Nature Reserve, a rugged woodland with caves, Neanderthal carvings and scenic gorges. We come out into rolling farmland, behind on our miles and late in the day. We bucked up to pound out the remaining miles, slogged up a couple of 15% grades, then hit a 6 mile downhill run on perfect pavement, ending at the front door of our pension. The is a God and today He took care of us.Читать далее