Even though the map on our blog shows us going across the sea to Koper we actually pedalled around the coast (back the way we came from Trieste). I try to avoid blogging a blow to blow account of our days pedalling, I've read too many of these in cycle mags and they can get a bit tedious. I will however make an exception for the last two days! We decided as it is pretty flat back to Trieste we would push the distance a bit. We took the 9.00am ferry from the Lido to Punta Sabbioni, any earlier and we wouldn't get breakfast and we can't pedal on empty! So, we didn't start riding until 9.30am. Straight into the wind. We worked really hard just to maintain 10mph. There was not much coasting so our butts didn't get much of a rest (oh aching cheeks). I calculated from our average speed with food stops we would use all the daylight. Even though we are trying to use quiet roads there is not a lot of choice on this route and we had to share the highway with plenty of HGV's. Riding in the dark even with lights on is not a good idea. We managed to find bus shelters facing the right direction so we could eat without freezing. In fact when sheltered from the wind and sitting in the sunshine it was delightful. Anyone visiting Venice this day would have fared better than the previous day (we had great views of Venice from the ferry). Whilst it had been raining on the Lido it must have been snowing in the Alps, we had great views of them all day (and the next day). After lunch we managed to crank Titty up to 12 - 14mph and we rolled up at our digs after a tough 98.5kms with nearly an hour of daylight left. A few hours before finishing our ride, Donna started complaining about the smell emanating from my open pit zips. Our waterproof coats have zips in the armpits which allow you to ventilate, I was ventilating 'odour of sweat' my merino top had definitely passed its wash by date. Donna decided she didn't want to eat at the restaurant at our digs as the speciality of the house is Donkey stew. She couldn't bring herself to eat Eeyore! Next day was only 72km and we expected an easier ride despite it being hillier. The forecast however was gusts of up to 50mph. We battled against a ferocious headwind and sidewind. Don't know what the actual gusts measured but the average wind speed has been reported as 34mph. The lorry drivers were very considerate as we got blown sideways whilst trying to go forwards. We almost got blown onto the verge which went down a 30 foot bank into a drainage ditch, fortunately I managed to keep us on the tarmac - just. Then we did get blown of the road onto the verge, but there was no drop thank goodness. In Trieste we tried to get a train to Koper but no joy. We literally got blown into the middle of the road heading out of Trieste, if that wasn't bad enough then we got blown sideways into the middle of the lane then immediately got blown to a standstill. Quick reactions and one foot was down and the brakes were on. If there had been a car behind us it could have been nasty. We had to get off and walk and even that was difficult. How are we going to get to Koper? How do you hitch with a loaded tandem? Booking accommodation ahead means you aren't wandering around for ages trying to find digs plus you can take advantage of good deals which you wouldn't find without the internet, but if you can't get there you still pay regardless. The road hung a right and the wind direction changed. We mounted Titty again and were suddenly being blown along. The wind wasn't consistent though and sidewinds appeared out of nowhere causing me to wrestle the bike to keep us upright. Donna was concerned about the signs stating no cyclists in 6km, 5km, 4km. I assured her that there was a route through for bikes (and hoped I was right). Yes, there was a turn off we could take (my planned route actually), our speed went up to 20mph without pedalling but the road went left, then right then straight so a strong tailwind changed to a sidewind again and again. We stopped at the Italian / Slovenian border for a quick bite to eat. From here we only had 7 miles left so we could walk that if we had to, we were going to get there. We didn't have to walk but we did have to lean Titty over to fight a sidewind trying to push us off the road, then the coast ride did a major left turn and the wind was head on. We reached Koper by 2.00pm, our apartment hosts were gobsmacked when they saw us arrive on Tiity and at how far we had come. We had both held onto the handlebars so tight all through the ride that our hands were hooked like claws and our fingers didn't want to straighten. I am also suffering elsewhere! The cold wind on my chest for two days brought my nipples to attention (for hours on end), that and a sweaty top and a bit of friction has left them very sore. Donna is trying to convince me sit with sudacrem on them whilst she cooks dinner - it ain't happening. The forecast is for lighter winds tomorrow.