First stop after Imola was Riva del Garda. We had stayed here in 2013 with Chris on our way to the MotoGP at Mugello. We remembered what a beautiful spot it had been so we decided it was worth another night's stay on our way north. Our memory served us well as the mountains melting in to Largo Garda are a sight you don't easily forget - a great view for a cold beer after a day of riding. We stayed about 100m from the hotel we stayed in last time, so the area felt quite familiar. We walked in to town by following the edge of the lake. Many people were sun bathing or relaxing in the shade. After checking out the accessories in the Honda shop, we wandered around the town until we were ready for a beer and a rest. Greg was tempted to stay at our first restaurant - for the rest of the trip - because the dessert menu was so extensive but we settled for a beer each and the free snacks that come with it. We then walked on to another restaurant at the edge of the lake with a different view for dinner. We believe you could repeat our afternoon's activity for a month and never eat at the same place twice.

After our one night stay in Riva del Garda we rode on. The day was spent riding on the Autostrada - with the most amazing mountain views on each side of us. This section of the Autostrada runs through part of the Dolomites, one of the most beautiful areas of Italy (after Tuscany of course). We also rode over the Brenner Pass in to Austria, making sure that we stopped and paid the 10 Euro vignette (toll) before riding on. We didn't do that in 2011 and ended up with a 65 Euro fine! This is where the 'glove' incident occurred! Kerrie pays the tolls and has to take off her glove to get the money/card out of her purse. The routine is - Greg stops close to the window, Kerrie pays the toll and then tells Greg when she is ready to ride on. This time, Kerrie got a bit eager and told Greg to ride on before her second glove was back on. I'm sure you can guess what happened! Yes, there is one glove somewhere on the Autostrada just at the end of the Brenner Pass. The other glove was then ceremoniously deposited in a garbage bin out side McDonalds at the first exit after the Pass. Kerrie now only has summer gloves to wear! Hope it stays warm.

We had intended to stay in Fussen for 2 nights but the accommodation prices were outrageous. So, we are in a little guest house on the edge of a town called Halblech with a restaurant and breakfast included. When we checked in, one of the family carried Kerrie's bag to the room and pointed out the view - yes we can actually see Neuschwanstein Castle from our room - if you put the camera on a BIG zoom! We are in this area to ride the Romantische Strasse and the Deutsch Alpenstrasse, both are supposed to be perfect for bikes.

We set off from the guest house about 10 - no need to rush! As King Ludwig's famous castle was just up the road we stopped and took a couple of photos - we decided not to do a tour as we had done that in 2011. As pretty to look at was St. Coloman's Church in a field all by itself just before you get to the castle. We set off and started to ride the Romantic Road - Greg said it must be for the chicks! He was soon convinced it was really for riders. The road surface was smooth and took us through beautiful smelling pine forests, beside crystal clear streams, sparkling lakes and around great sweeping curves that would entice any serious rider. At morning tea time we spotted a motorcycle gear shop opposite a bakery so it was a no brainer - we stopped! The shop was called 'Held' and according to a couple of Kiwi riders we met there - they make the best gear in the world! The 2 Kiwis, Graham & Donna Beker run "Beker's Motorcycle Tours" and were taking a group from Munich to Italy for a 14 day tour - nice work if you can get it! After purchasing new winter gloves for Kerrie (yes, you all know why), new summer gloves for Greg (as his are still at home in Queensland!) and some chain lube for the bike, it was definitely morning tea time! We watched as bikes came and went from the shop content with our day out so far.

BUT - the day out would only get better. We got back on the bike and went in search of The German Alpine Road. This road cover routes 308, 309 and 310 and we rode it for 120km to Lindau. This ride was great - more curves, up and down hills with switchbacks and mountains you felt you could put your hand out and touch - many with a sprinkling of snow on top. When you get sick of those roads you can always just hop on the Autobahn which is never far away. Greg tells me we sat on 130km on our way back to Halblech on the Autobahn and the only things we passed were caravans, trucks and an old VW Combie. Everything else flew passed us - some even frightened the life out of us - one minute they weren't there and then they flew passed. Even Steve couldn't get a ticket on the Autobahns! I think Greg referred to his riding day as NIRVANA! I guess that explains it all.

Thursday was spent getting to our next destination - Autobahn all day and we were glad it was. It started out as wet and miserable with us in our wet weather gear. Luckily by lunchtime, the weather had cleared. Our side of the Autobahn was a clear run but we commented several times about the heavy traffic going in the opposite direction. In the first hour of our ride there was a constant stream of motorbikes heading in the opposite direction - Kerrie stopped counting at 103 - and this is a Thursday remember - not Sport's Bike Sunday. We guess the roads we had riden on the previous day were the reason so many riders were heading that way - and we don't blame them!