DAY 9 (MAY 10-THURS)  GREIN TO MARBACH, AUSTRIA

Best night’s sleep yet-bed a little softer-slept ’till 8:00.  Eat breakfast w/Jean-she points to something on my shorts that say-Look inside for Liner.  1st time to wear shorts–pull off sticker that I thought was a name brand.  Ready to leave (can’t make sandwich because sign says NO food to go)–Jean takes off UP a hill–we go DOWN the hill (NO traffic in AM) to bike store-A is having trouble w/gears.  Each were given 1 repair voucher in packet–no tubes because flats were not a problem w/these bikes!!!  30 min later we have the bike & info center tells us that castle (Schloss Greinburg) is not closed.  Bike UP very steep hill-park bike-buy ticket-here comes Jean.  Started in different directions-did not say where we were going & end up here at 10:00.  Take self-guided tour–can’t remember what we saw now-things are starting to blur.  Say good-bye to Jean-she’s going into town.  Another perfect day-cross over bridge-bike on tree covered path-Danube on left-mts on each side–temp in high 70s-see very few bikers.  Decide to stop in next town–have bike museum-closed-go to grocery store for lunch.  Have Coke, Chips, Cookies–sit on bench in front of store–see 1st Amer car-a Ford.  Go back to Bike M–sign says it will open tomorrow-start to leave & here comes Jean-planning to go to same museum.  Go over bridge–cruise ship in lock-stop & watch water fill up lock so ship can leave–have swimming pool on top deck.  End up meeting Jean again later & find hotel–favorite one so far.  1st room w/radio–turn it on–DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY is playing, then Beatles & song by 4 tops.  Armand’s favorite meal in restaurant.  I’m having trouble w/food which is always 1 of my favorite events on a bike trip.  Nothing is really appealing to me-it’s expensive–got charge 1.8 Eu (about $2 for tap water) & coke is 2.5 Eu compared to .85 in grocery store.  Couldn’t get the internet to work.