One blog - 2 photo albums!!

We dried everything out before leaving Zalaszmihaly only to set off in pouring rain. The bad news is our expensive waterproof coats started leaking (we have had them 3 years but they were okay when we set off in August - dissapointed). After just 5km with a raging headwind we were struggling to do 7mph, oh this is going to be a long day I thought. The climbs seemed to shelter us from the wind but wet twisting descents covered in wet leaves were frightening. Now I know Donna feels the cold more than me but I was wearing just a merino cycle jersey and my waterproof which was leaking so my merino was wet but I wasn't cold plus I was wearing just track mitts (fingerless gloves) and summer socks which were soaking wet because of the rain pouring off my overtrousers into my shoes (we didn't bring overshoes) but my hands and feet weren't cold. Donna had on a merino top and a fleece coat and a leaking waterproof coat and she was dithering. She had thick waterproof gloves on and merino socks (wet) and her feet were so cold she was grunting with pain as she pedalled. Oh it was a foul day and Donna was in a slashing her wrists mood being wet and freezing. Half way there taking refuge in a bus shelter I was concerned about Donna getting hypothermia, she is stubborn though, I suggested she stripped off, put on her winter tights, a dry merino top and my Artificial down coat and dry socks, she wouldn't have any of it. She did however take off her wet fleece coat and wear mine. Our destination couldn't come soon enough, we crossed the border into Slovenia and it was soon all over. Our apartment had good heating and in no time at all clothes were hanging everywhere and the heating was up so high it was like a sauna. I needed wifi to book somemore accomodaton, the signal inside was rubbish but outside was great! I ended up sitting outside (under cover) wrapped up in a blanket surfing the internet. With everything dry again we set off in the sunshine (but it was cold), the scenery just got better and better, the roads were good (unlike Czech, Slovakia and Hungary where the roads are falling apart). An easy day riding, lot's of main roads but a lot of it with a cycle path and the drivers here give cyclists plenty of room. Another great apartment (in Maribor) and very cheap. Before leaving Maribor we diverted to a Decathlon store with a wish list! Some success. managed to get Donna a pair of overshoes and a winter cycling jacket. Over the road Donna spotted a Sports Direct and suggested a visit, waste of time i thought but i relented. Wow, I bought Nikwax TX direct, the ideal stuff for reproofing our coats and overshoes for me and some heavyweight merino socks for Donna. Well that's Donna's birthday present sorted. Another beautiful cycling route and Donna put on her new coat and was warm all day. Donna woke up on her birthday in Dravograd and was amazed I had bought her a birthday card - the only time we seem to spend apart is in the toilet or when Donna goes in the supermarket and I keep an eye on Titty, so getting a card was not easy! As it was Donna's birthday we had a short day and reached our hotel by lunchtime. The other time we are apart is when I check us in to our digs and Donna looks after Titty, so that was my chance for seeing if the hotel could rustle up a small birthday cake with a candle on it. Donna never twigged why we had the only table with a candle, fancy napkins and a few decorations, she put it down to us being foreigners on a tandem! She had her heart set on a dessert, we have actually only had one between us since we stopped camping. The meal was so good she hadn't got room for a dessert, however she made room when her birthday cake arrived (which the chef had made in the afternoon and they did it for free!). Today we set off in freezing fog but this finally cleared to reveal mountains all around us. We have seen lots of deer in the fields they don't seem to mind cars but before we get anywhere near them they spot us and bolt. One lot however bolted towards the road in front of us, we were steaming along at the time and feared a collision so we hit the brakes hard to keep a safe distance! We have crossed into Austria but will soon be back in Slovenia where we will be taking a break from pedalling and exploring the Juliana Alps on foot. Donna tried out her new socks today and her feet were warm all day. I have reproofed our coats, we can't have another day where Donna is so wet and cold again! Thank goodness we managed to buy everything in Maribor on our wish list.