10 May 2011

10 May 2011

We decided to take a slow ride back to Verona from Austria, through all the passes again.  We chose a different route, passed Innsbruck, over some new pass.  The highest pass we rode through was the Penn Pass which was about 2200m, as we started on the pass when met a guy on a 600 Yamaha whose chain had broken and Larry stopped to help him, while we were there a car stopped and said that the pass was closed, but we decided to carry on, as other traffic was moving in both directions.  Luckily it was open but lots of road works close to the top.  There was still lots of snow at the top of the pass.  The roads are very narrow but very good and there are lots of bikes all the time.  The first night after we left the ski resort was spent in a camp site at Bolzano which we thought was a bit like an old age home, the average age of the campers was probably 30 years older than us, this seems to be something that the retired Europeans do, pack up their homes and live in a camper.  All the campsites we go to have a lot of caravans and mobile homes, with elderly folk lazing away the days, sitting in the sun etc.  Camping is expensive from our point of view, about 30 Euro per night, as opposed to the about $5 per night we paid at most places in Africa. Except at the Blue Nile in Khartoum, where they claimed to have the same facilities as in Europe, and charged us $8 each!! 

We decided to stop at a camp site at the town next to Garda Lake, called Riva di Garda and Anja and Holga, the German couple, joined us for the next 2 nights.  They have been travelling for the past 3 years and 11 months and will return home this weekend, on BMW Dakar’s.  We met them in Marsabit, Khartoum, Alexandria, and again now, so a small world indeed!  We hope to see them again in Germany, but will probably miss their welcome home party on Saturday night!!

We had to get up early on Monday morning to get the bikes to the BMW workshop by 8.30, we were only 78km away but it took us nearly an hour and a half to ride that distance because the area is so developed. The ride along Lago Di Garda was once again great.

 Larry’s bike has been serviced and the front fork seals were replaced, has had a good clean, and looks as good as new. Ring Ting is still in at the workshop, Giorgio managed to find some of the parts and Marco found some as well.  The colours will not match perfectly but we will see what it looks like tomorrow.  The mechanical side is still very good, now with replacement chain and sprockets, full service, and a few new plastics and cosmetic parts, Ring Ting is ready to roll!!

We are staying at the same camp, Wien, in a small hut on the shores of the lake and have cooking facilities and a fridge.  So, guess what our first meal was again??? Steak and chips!  Tonight we will cook  curry mince, with veggies and rice etc, and it is really nice to be cooking for ourselves again, as this wasn’t easy in Africa, with very limited stuff available, and the difficultly of travelling with fresh food. The weather has really been wonderful, cool mornings and evenings and lovely warm days, it is light here until about 9pm.  Lots of walkers with dogs, sunbathers, some topless – provide a bit of local entertainment.  We also managed to find a local bike shop, where we bought new boots and gloves for Sharon, as her boots are not waterproof, and don’t keep her feet warm.  Her original gloves were lost in Uganda when she had the accident.  So, should be warmer! 

We have just heard that another part needs to be ordered for Ring ting, so will be here for another day.  This means we will have lunch with Georgio tom – Wed -, and will leave early on Thursday for Switzerland.

Internet at this site is ridiculously expensive – 15 Euro per day! But will hopefully load this text when we see Georgio tom.

L&S