A great day overall after a slow start. I was passing castle Landstejn and thought I would cheekily recharge my phone and laptop while sipping malenovka – raspberry lemonade that everyone drinks in summer.
I had a garlic soup, then another. Good for the lungs apparently, and delicious.
I got talking with an Austrian couple who were curious about my bike. I joined them for a beer before I headed off. By now it was after 1pm. Oh well, I’m on holiday.
I followed route #48 to Slavonice, via a tough climb but back down steeply. According to the roadside radar, I was clocking 51 km/h as I entered town. 😛
I stayed a while to admire the medieval town square, and the boisterous atmosphere, which mostly came from groups of bikers drinking in the sun.
The road to Vratěnín was unremarkable, though something of a slog against the by now gusty conditions. Vratěnín itself was nice but seemed deserted. I spotted a Hostinec and decided to have a drink there. I think that every village male over 60 was inside. Middle of the day!
I got some funny looks as I necked my Fanta, but there was an enthusiastic response to my parting na schledanou (goodbye).
It was perfect weather for trundling through the countryside, warm sun with a slight cooling breeze. Legs still going!
There were a lot of people out on their bikes, and most were happy to exchange an ‘Ahoj!‘ (hello) when passing.
Uherčice was a pretty village, build around a small lake. Nearby is a big enclosed chateux complex. Wanting to explore it, I enquired at the local pension but there were no rooms.
So I just continued onwards along #48 to Stalky. I was starving and could have used a shower. The local Pension wasn’t yet open for the season, and they had no food, but they invited me in for a beer. Sitting in the sun, drinking a cold one and practicing my Czech seemed a good way to conclude the day.
I camped on the side of a vast potato field just outside the village, which made for an epic view as I devoured noodles and biscuits watching the sun go down.
Tomorrow I will cycle through the vineyards of Moravia.
More details, photos and videos to follow…