Wednesday May 18, 2005, 88 km (55 miles) – Total so far: 3,018 km (1,875 miles)

We packed up a drenched tent after a night of constant rain and set off through the picturesque Wachau region. We thawed out a little over a very enjoyable lunch in Krems, which was fantastic value at €€4.50 each for soup and main course.

We missed out on most of the stunning scenery of the Wachau because of the awful weather. It was a real shame as some of the villages looked superb.

Then the crash! A slippery wooden bridge took out Agata’s bike and then mine as I went to help. Neither of us is seriously injured, but we are nursing a few bruises. This and the rain forced us to stop short of Vienna leaving us just a short ride to the city tomorrow.

The vineyards of the Wachau, the Danube’s most temperate region

More rain, we were washed-out in the Wachau

The fountain in Tulln, with our hotel in the background (the building in the centre)