Day 2 - Strasbourg - Bregenz
Well, today was the drive to Bregenz, on the south edge of Lake Constance.
Got ready to go from the ibis at about 9am and we headed for the local McD for breakfast (€13 each for an ibis breakfast, I think not). Found that mcd in France don't really do breakfast apart from a bacon and egg muffin and black earl grey. Consumed then went to the local supermarket petrol station - 1.580 for super 98, relative bargain.
Held my breath and very gingerly eased the drivers window half down and opened the passenger window so I could then open the roof without fear of the windows dropping on the roof switch. All ok (no noises) and managed to raise window back up ok. Open top motoring!
Temp was 16c and bright sun, the forecast had looked shocking for today though. Programmed the Nav with our hotel address and it calculated the quickest route (which was down an autobhan to Freiburg then across), but we wanted to cut right through the Black Forest. Told the nav to use 'shortest' and bingo, exactly the route we had looked at on a map). Shades on, sun tan spray in hair (bloody bald spot), Buffs on (google Buff if you dont know) and GO GERMANY.
Quickly into the edge of the Black Forest and we both are just aghast at how big and beautiful it is. What an amazing drive cutting down diagonally through the middle of the forest, epic scenery. Passed the house of 1000 clocks, world of clocks etc, brilliant.
Now, the first experience of tunnels on the trip so far. I wasn't expecting any tunnels until we hit Switzerland but oh no, there are a few through the Black Forest route we took and the roads were really quiet.
This meant we could practically stop in the tunnels on our own and then give it everything through the gears up to 3rd where we were at/just over the speed limit. This has to be one of the most childish, amazing and truly satisfying moments of my driving life so far. As we had the roof down the metallic edge of the straight six bouncing off the tunnel walls was incredible. I just cannot imagine what an ///M must be like!
Anyway, we cracked on, using the 33 grabbing a quick drink in Villengen, popped the roof back up/on with the same extreme caution of the drivers window and then pushed on to Bregenz using the 31.
Nav found the door of the hotel (best western premier weisses kreuz) again 100% perfectly and we check in. Nice surprise, we get a suite room with a sitting area and a balcony. It's great and feels like a real treat. Hotel provides parking in a paid multi story opposite the hotel, I get an end space, I'm chuffed.
Went straight out to go on the cable car - it stretches right from the edge of Bregenz at the bottom to the top of the mountain at the back of the town. What a view! Sarah saw some reindeers so she was happy.
Back down again and had a wonder round - it's Sunday so pretty much everything close. Lake is incredible, so still, tranquil.
We go to the Goldener Herschen for dinner and have Weiner Schnitzel for dinner , traditional Austrian. It's fab, I'd recommend it to anyone. The restaurant was very nice and just round the back of our hotel.
Tomorrow we're planning a short boat trip to the next town, then the tram back, then cycle hire in the afternoon.
Oh, and trying quickly to learn some German!
http://i1164.photobucket.com/albums/q576/beaucostil/francejune13034_zps45b25104.jpg 
good stuff & don't forget the pics 