Dumplings and Lederhosen

We start the day with the best breakfast ever which includes fresh strawberries and apricots. The sky is blue at first but it soon clouds over and we have to cycle in wind proof jackets. Rather a dull start but Andrew and I are excited at the prospect of "only" 40 miles today. We are worried when Simon points out a number of chevrons on the map but in reality these turn out to be minor undulations that barely require a gear change. We make good progress and after a coffee stop in the rain the skies clear and we are basking in the sunshine once again. We even allow ourselves half an hour of sunbathing by the lake before arriving at our destination at 2pm. We find a lovely hotel in the main square and manage to check into our rooms just before an impressive thunder storm and a torrential downpour. Even time for a rare siesta: anyone would think this was a holiday! Deggendorf has an elaborately decorated town hall with gothic towers and a Knodel legend according to which: "the wife of one of the city's mayors was able to drive Bohemian invaders away with freshly prepared dumplings!" With this theme in mind we have a typically Bavarian meat dominated meal that includes the famous aforementioned dumplings served by women in traditional costume and men in lederhosen (where is Captain Von Trapp?) (Passau to Deggendorf - 36.6 miles)