‘Are you from Australia?’ Yes, I said to the van driver who siddled up by me as I was riding through a town. ‘Very good, very good’ he said as he passed.

Today was full of pinch yourself moments. I woke at 5.30am … too excited to sleep, we are off on the Munich/Venice cycle way today, I’m like a little kid.

As we leave, the church bells peel, it’s 8am, blue sky and 18C, perfect conditions. Out into the countryside within an hour; corn, kiwi fruit, olives and vineyards is the landscape on very quiet roads and paths; the soothing sound of water from the irrigation channels and canals as we ride through little villages with the hills in the background. I started to struggle on my bike only to find I had a rear puncture, easy fix and off again.

A coffee stop at the foot of the hills, then the cycle path meanders through vineyards. This is the Prosecco Hills and a popular route as we passed many touring and road cyclists, and no wonder … the scenery is spectacular. We discuss where it rates on similar tours; it’s very high.

I’m getting accustomed to a 5pm aperol spritz; today it’s in the piazza where we meet some Austrian ladies who have just cycled on the route we are about to take; a prosecco to follow with dinner. What a lovely day on the bike.

We have a list of ‘to dos’ for tomorrow in this lovely town.