Exploring Passau ...

Today was a very relaxing day spent in Passau. Yvonne & I 

had time out from the group & explored this medieval city on our own, starting off with a sleep in & a late breakfast. Passua is located where 3 rivers all meet. The Danube, Ilz & the Inn it is probably one of the nicest old cities we have been in. We walked around the city & across the Danube & climbed to the hilltop fort, built in the early 1500s. Lots of steps, but well worth it. The tour boats love this place & there were quite a few tied up today, including 3 ships from Viking cruises which we used to come to this port 2 years ago.

The day again started off windy, cold & raining heavily & after looking out the window we thought we would have a relaxing day indoors poking around the shops, but by the time we finished breakfast the rain had stopped & the sun was peeping out. We had a lovely morning walking the old cobble stoned city & river front, checking out the ships. Then a blood stirring climb up to the hilltop fort where we met all our fellow riders who did the same thing. Not all at once but scattered around the huge fortress. We have arranged to meet for drinks around 6 pm to discuss tomorrows departure.

By the time we got home this afternoon the fairies had been to make our beds & tidy our room & an afternoon nap continued the relaxation theme. Back to the real word of pedalling & travelling tomorrow, which now seems like the natural thing to do. I think it is going to feel a little strange when we get home & not have to get up & pedal to the next town. 

 

Street of cobbles disappearing through the bottom of a building. A pretty common sight throughout Germany.

 

A very steep street, these cobbles can be quite challenging on the bikes.

 

A picture of a poster showing the joining of the 3 rivers.

 

Yvonne is now a professional beer drinker.

 

Yep here's another one, you generally find one every couple of hundred metres, everything is freshly baked behind the counter. As stock is sold during the day, more is baked all day long. I amgoing to be very disappointed with Australian bakeries when we get home.

 

A tight fit for many vehicles.

 

A heavily loaded barge heading up the Danube.

 

Traditional clothing is quite popular, here are some childrens version.

 

A suspension bridge to walk across to the hilltop fort.

 

The Ilz comes out & meets the Danube just behind this building.

 

A view of the Danube & the town half way up to the fort.

 

A long climb, its further than it looks.

 

Entry to the fort, you can see where the draw bridge used to be.

 

An inner wall & stairs leading up to the residence.

 

Looking back over the town from the fortifications, with the Inn visible in the back ground.

 

Part of the secondary walls.

 

The local ABC housing the worlds biggest pipe organ with over 16000 pipes. 

 

Climbing the endless steps to the fort.

 

Finally approaching the fort.