Three in Three.

Thursday 29th August 2024. Lemon Juice Day.

Hohenau to Mikulov, Czech Repulbic – 53km.

Another good night of sleep but I was up and ready for my breakfast at 8am. I wanted to get on the road to beat the heat.

I was on the move by 8.35am….and today the route included the shock of a couple of hills. I need the practice, there are more to come.

I crossed the border into the Czech Republic.

That’s three countries in three days. I was through Austria so fast I didn’t have time for a Schnitzel! However the roads were extremely smooth, perfect for cycling. I enjoyed them so much I accidentally went off route and added three or four kilometres to the distance.

I only just realised last night that the Czech Republic still uses its own currency, the Czech Koruna or Crown. The exchange rate is around 30 Koruna to the Pound. I hope that I can manage to avoid buying the currency but I am in the country for quite a few days. I think they often accept the Euro or contactless payments too.

The first surprise I had was….

Valtice was a lovely town and it looked like it was on the tourist trail. Plenty of cyclists about. Not the kind that carries panniers but still good to see.

Onward I cycled to Mikulov. I got there by lunchtime, as I’d hoped. I knew it had a grand castle but I was still pleasantly surprised by the old town. It turns out to be the centre of the Czech wine region too.

It was definitely time for lunch. After being pretty good yesterday I thought I was entitled to be naughty today….

I was quite mindful that it was Lemon Juice day so later I had….

I found my accommodation mid afternoon. An older couple had converted the back of their home to make three apartments. It looks pretty modern and tidy once I got past their living room with the bike! Thankfully they accepted Euros in payment. The owner also gave me a tip for a place to eat tonight….the local Bowling Club….why not.

I washed my cycling gear and went out for the evening.

First I walked up to Goat Castle, the oldest castle of the town.

I thought the Bowling Club might be a nice Crown Green bowls club but this is what I found.

I sat outside under a shade that included a light mist of cool water spray, very pleasant. The food was great too. I had a pork knuckle off the bone.

I walked back into the town square to see the castle lit up.

Put Mikulov on your list of places to visit.

I returned to my accommodation and watched the Paralympics in Czech. The foreign language doesn’t seem to be a handicap! It probably improves the coverage.