The Ride - Day 4

The Ride - Day 4

Another day - another ride - it might rain - it might not rain - looks ok - take that rain jacket in case - the last ride has taught some of us a lesson  - don't rush - take it easy - don't worry - be happy - bugger the ferry - if we miss it we miss it - 6 rational ladies and me look to Brian for leadership - off we go - which way to the ferry - get the bohemian tour director a little annoyed - ignore the instructions - off we head.

Arrive at the ferry in 500 meters - of course the ferry driver hasn't risen yet - wait 45 minutes - marvel at the Germans lining up on the right hand side of the road behind the white line - note the Australian rabble lolling around telling skiing stories  - lorries arrive - cars join the queue - get our tickets and on to the ferry.

Off on the right bank towards Szob - nice track - nice scenery - maybe not Austria but nice.

The confidence of the girls has grown - brian's leadership is immediately usurped - Kate and sam play domestique - sam stops beside a domestique sign - we miss the photo opportunity - everyone still relaxed and enjoying the relaxed ride.

Onwards towards Szob - track stops - women briefly consult Brian before ignoring his advice and pushing on - they are now not only confident but  competent - Meg finds the way - onwards and onwards - Still some lovely country side - make an effort to engage the locals in a cheery hello - alternately successful - arrive at the ferry - another 45 minute wait - is the restaurant open - slow turning of the head - I guess that means no! - pull out our packed lunch - relax - too relaxed - the ferry has started up - we rush down to the boat - pay our 800 each and load up with about 20 others.

Along a regional road - traffic well behaved - the domestiques continue to lead out - ah - esztergom - there is the basilica - nice town - boat not here yet - ask that fellow in the car - cafe? - puzzled look -  recognition - points - thank you - down beside the canal - tree lined avenue passed the school - here is the pub - ice coffee - radlers - sav blanc - rest - rest - ah - there is the boat - dump - our bikes - off to explore the town.

Head straight for the  basilica perched high on top of the hill overlooking the old town - which way - Bernie heads to the right - everyone follows - no Bernie - definitely to the left - we wander through the old town - I hope this lane turns sharp right pretty soon - thank god it does - ah - there is a track leading up hill  in the right direction - should we take it - why not - sam photographs a lonely and lost white plastic chair hiding in the bush - Erica will be pleased  - christrine shows confidence and pushes on with me - Bernie - knows me - hangs back - up the track a little further - why didn't you trust me Bernie - there are the steps - see - I led you up a much gentler grade - see those steps you would have had to climb up them.

On to the proper albeit back entrance path and steps - up the steps and up the steps and up some more steps - through a wooden door in the old wall into the basilica grounds - this is nice - let's rest awhile - buy some water - there is Pam and peter - they have ridden up on their way to the boat - where is andrew - don't know.

Around the front of the basillica - amazing - huge - line the group against the columns and take a panorama - inside the basilica - impressive - St Gregory - no!- really impressive! - buy some tickets - Brian and I to the top of the cuppola - the girls to the crypt.

Up the spiral stairs - climb - circle - climb - circle - climb - climb - climb - puff - pant - climb - climb - climb - pant - pant - pant - climb - pant - pant -pant - climb - pant - pant - pant - pant - pant - gee Brian - I may have already died and we are climbing to heaven!. - reach the top - local points us through an entry - bugger - more steps - pant - pant - another local - reach the top - the copper domes echoes - out through the door - amazing - camera set to panorama - the Danube and the countryside laid out before us.

Time to head down - the two old men cheer up considerably - a  young fellow and his pretty girl friend panting as they reach the summit

Down and down - there are the girls - they are anxious to shop - divide the remaining huf between the men and women - women to the shops - men to the pub - the first beers not delivered when the girls arrive back - settle in - some Hungarian champagne would be nice - the cheap version is delivered - the girls unimpressed - beers and radlers ordered - Kate and meg render acupuncture point pressure therapy and reiki therapy to Bernie and margaret respectively

More travellers arrive - robbs and Erica - Keith - the millikens - the reillys, watch the local kids bursting out of the swimming pools and onto their road bikes for the bike leg of their triathalon training. - try to dispose of the remaining huf on drinks - rather than disappearing they seem to grow in number.

Back to the boat - it leaves at 5 for Vienna- everyone agrees - this  was a great day!

Sleep for a while - time to head down for dinner.

The pirates arrive - crew dressed up - dining room in organized chaos - pleasant night - new musician - the crowd obviously approve of the change - the dance floor crowded - Bernie, Kate, sam amongst those contributing to the dance floor chaos - Brian and I escape to the back deck.

To many g&t - good night.