DEGGENDORF to BAD ABBACH : 14kms - Train - 24kms

Friday, 11th May, 2018.

Events didn't go according to the script today, it wasn't the best day we've had but I 'm pleased to say that it ended well.

The first problem occurred when cruising down the big hill in the morning, and was caused by a tiny tack

which punctured Mike's rear tyre.  We backtracked a little to find a flat surface in order to change the tyre and discovered that the pump bought from Anaconda and which we'd brought with us was next to useless.  After a lot of effort, the tyre was repaired and pumped up and we continued down the hill into Deggendorf

where we visited a bike shop.  The tyre was checked, a new pump and new tube were bought and we were on our way again.

It was an easy 14km ride to Plattling where we stopped for coffee and cake before heading to the railway station to catch the 1.10pm train to Regensburg but....while I stayed with the bikes, Mike went into the station to buy tickets, was gone quite a long time trying to find out how to buy tickets for the bikes and in the meantime, the 1.10 left without us.  We resigned ourselves to waiting another hour for the next train, hoping that the station master would be back from his lunch break but he never turned up so we got on the train anyway to find there was a ticket collector on board from whom we were able to buy the bike tickets.  She insisted we take the bags off the bikes, which we did, and had a pleasant 40 minute journey into Regensburg.  We'd decided that we should get the bags off first and come back for the bikes....what a schmozzle!  It was difficult enough getting off the train the first time as hordes of people pushed their way on board before others were able to get off and we had to push our way back on to get the bikes.  It was not fun!

Then, having put the bags back on the bikes, we took the wrong exit from the station and had a little difficulty finding our way to the path along the river.

We eventually found the way through the old town which was so crowded we were unable to ride so had to push the bikes, and were soon back on the path, stopping for ice creams when we spied an ice cream vendor on a bicycle.

As we hadn't any accommodation booked and were much later than planned, having lost time with the puncture, the bike shop, the railway station etc., and a couple of places we looked at were booked out, we were beginning to wonder if we'd be sleeping under a bridge but coming into Bad Abbach

we spotted a Zimmer Frei (room available) sign, enquired, were accepted and are happily settled in to an elderly but clean and comfortable apartment above a ladies' wear shop run by two friendly, helpful gentlemen.

Beers in the beer garden of the pub a couple of doors up helped ease the day's frustrations and we're thinking of staying a second night, if possible, and having a rest day tomorrow.