Finally we woke to sunshine and birds chirping,no rain and even the cuckoos carrying on.The Babinger Hotel in Ybbswas very easy to get back en Danube route almost just out of the door. It was also a good nights sleep so we were fully recovered from our soggy day.We hadnt gone far before a dreaded umleitung hit. Hubbys tough road loved the mud and water filled potholes I with much manoeuvering managed to stay upright. Fortunately it finished and we were back on a good path to Melk Abbey. We were’nt sure if it would be open as no other museums were going to be open being a public holiday for May Day.The bicycle museum we’d hoped to see in Ybbs didnt open till May and certainly was not opening on May 1st.

4kms before Melk another diversion sign, this time we had to cross the bridge back over to right bank. Cross winds meant this was not easy we could see Melk Abbey fading from our itinerary, particularly as we werent even sure if it was open. The next bridge back over the Danube was nearly 1km long so we gave it a miss.

Being on the left bank did mean we got a coffee break in, as a traditional Gasthof in Weitenegg was open below a lovely ruined castle. Tney were all dressed in their Austrian dirndl skirts and waistcoats,very attractive. The gasthof was underwater in 2013. We then started coming across all the villages with their May poles up only one around this area had everyone still eating wurst and drinking beer.

The villages became more very scenic as we left the narrow gorge and it opened up into the wine growing area. Being May Day the more historic villages were full of day trippers so plenty of cyclists around aswell. We ended up in winery for lunch which just did cold platters not what I had in mind for a cold day , but my hunters platter with chunks of black pudding and brawn was suprisingly good.

No photos of the ruined castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned in Durnstein as about 3 river cruise boats must have just landed so no chance of getting anywhere close.

I was becoming aware that time was moving along and hubby was taking photos in every village so progress was slow.As it was a public holiday I had to give an idea of what time we were arriving at our next Gasthof and I was beginning to think we were going to be very late.So I peddled on into the village of Stein and waited camera poised for hubby to cycle through the old stone gate and I waited and waited. He didnt turn up. I’d had to turn my mirror away as the sunlight glinting was too annoying so I didn’t know how far back he was.I cycled back to a junction no sign of him. I asked a few cyclists if theyd seen him no they said it was so busy they couldnt remember anyone.The cycle sign for no.6 was pointing across the bridge across the Danube and the 6 sign for our side couldn’t be seen but I thought hubby wouldnt have crossed the river surely he knew we were staying on the left bank….

Clearly not, hubby finally turned up coming back across the bridge, he’d just seen the 6 sign and followed it. I never did get that photo of the great gatehouse into Stein. Mayday celebrations were still continuing in Stein with music and dancing. Luckily cycling into Krems was uneventful and we arrived at the hotel in time for checkin. Great room overlooking the Krems river and powder tower. A chilled evening wandering around the old historic centre of Krems…..till tomorrow.