Down the Donau with Dave and Nick
Motoring across Europe
Dave Pratt and Nick Pochin
Wed 22 May 2013 12:27
on Niko's tours. Next stop Vienna you might get to see it if you blink! We
have come through 250 locks of all sizes and means of mooring up.We are
now highly tuned , in fact feeling quite sad that we only have a few left
to do before we reach the Iron Gates. Would we turn round and do it all
again, now we are experts, (I can here the guys shout no). In fact it
could be the next Japanese game show, add 5weeks of rain and gales, you
have the perfect show.Lots of shouting high drama, like me being nearly
crushed by uncle Niko, claims he could'nt get the boat in reverse, but I
know better.(I han'nt made him a bacon sandwich that morning!
No the beer and schnitzel are delicious and the people we have met
en-route have been very helpful and friendly. The boat havens we stay in
are well organized, and cheap with an honesty box if no is around.The
last one was an open air shower , with a curtain on 3 sides good job it
was early in the morning and the banks opposite were empty. I would have
given them a shock, but uncle Dave would send them to drink! He must be
the cleanest guy , always looking for showers, and washing machines.
Shopping is always a problem , no car and the guides we have are old and
much of the information is out of date. We do manage to find Lidol they
always have a good spot. We eat quite well on the boat we have a little
fridge and it serves its purpose.
Passau is a beautiful place , once you pass through the lock you are in
Austria, it is known as the Venice of Bavaria, and is one of the most
attractive towns .It certainly attracts large cruise ships. That plough
up and down the river, with some very large folks to match( mostly
Americans) though we have seen many double bellies in Germany. All that
beer! We are not yet in high season but it is really busy.From Passau two
rivers join the Danube the Ilz and the Inn which add a substantial amount
of Watertown the Danube river, the currents can be running at 20 knots.
The Danube winds its way through the steep valley sides, which runs
between Austria and Germany, the Bavarians call it the sausage equator.
The scenery is stunning , around each I bend of the river are small
hamlets, with cows grazing, and an abundance of beautiful wild
flowers.I know it helped that the sun was shining but I am loving this
river. The river are extremely clean, not a plastic bag in sight.Apart
from well, we do pump the effluent into the water, the boats have
holding tanks and drop the contents when deep in the river. With all
the commercial traffic on the river, swimming would not be my first
choice.we are hoping to do over 100km today. We are really moving now,
next stop the Black Sea, hang on to your hats!