The commencement of the 25 mile climb to Davos could not have got off to a better start when we were met with “no cycling” signs on Route 28. However, the clever Swiss have thought of everything and there is a separate cycle track! For a while at least….read on! We’d heard that George had seen a very nice dentist who had refused to take cash and simply provided an invoice for the insurance company. He didn’t usually work Friday afternoons so very lucky! He advised George to have a rest from cycling which, seeing as though George had done less than quarter of a mile seems a bit rich!! However, van on it’s way again, although the squeak returned as soon as it crossed into Switzerland!
Tizz asked when we would do some real climbing as it wasn’t tough enough and her wish was granted at Fideris where the cycle route suddenly kicked up and she promptly disappeared out of the back door! The path became increasingly erratic, with gravel sections and all sorts of ups and downs, and at Kublis, having had to wait loads and with time pushing on, I just went on the main road. Still steep up to Klosters, where Prince Charles has his skiing holidays, and conscious that it’s still over 5 miles to Davos and getting distinctly darker (it’s nearly 8pm). We wait to make sure Tizz takes right route through, then Patty kicks hard up a ramp out of Klosters, a move he immediately regrets as the gradients doesn’t let up for the next 2 miles and then steepens again later. He then dies a death for the final climb, Tizz pushes on and I’m left to cajole a reluctant Patty up the last bit. Over the top and down into Davos, we see a X-C skier practicing on roller blades up the other side – and we thought cycling was hard! A final tweak when we discover Davos Youth Palace, our hostel, is up a steep final climb, but after all the delays there’s just time for a pasta at a local restaurant before crashing out on another 70-mile plus day. Tomorrow is the Fluelapass towards St Moritz – I’ve counted no less than 13 arrows on my map for the 14km climb so looking forward to challenging that!

A night of gothic proportions in Bregenz in Austria with thunder, lightning and torrential rain. Mercifully, by 10am it had reduced to a drizzle and we set off towards the cloud-covered Alps, following the Rhine upstream and southwards. The riding was remarkably flat and after finding a top quality backerei for kaffee und kuchen we came out into sunshine! Soon across the border into Leichtenstein.

No sooner had we emerged from the coffee shop all rigged up in dry stuff than the sun came out and we had to take it all off again! It reminded me to record Mum’s comment the other day when the van broke down and she explained to the French mechanic that it was really urgent as her “fils est oop la rue sans vetements!” She is also reported to have thanked a waiter at her posh hotel in Metz by stating she was “very gratefule!”. Mel said she sounded like Inspector Clouseau! By the way it’s Mels husband’s 49th birthday today so happy birthday Kelv!! He has assured Mel that any trip he does to celebrate his 50th next year will involve engines!
So sat now by the Bodensee having another coffee in the sun. First glimpse of the Alps at the far end, which is where we’re headed. Great cycle route along the lakeside. Life much better!

For Black Forest read Wet Forest!! Regnet, regnet, regnet until late afternoon when die Sonne had the cheek to scheint!! After leaving possibly the best backerei/conditorei in the world just south of Offenburg the route was surprisingly flat along superbly-surfaced cycle tracks that run independently of the main roads surrounded by lumpy tree covered hills. However, they do twist and turn a bit and it’s frustrating on towns especially follwing all the little junctions and often quicker to blast straight through on the road, much to the annoyance of German drivers who have clearly paid a fortune for cycle ways! Tizz off the pace today as she doesn’t like cycle tracks and also complained that it wasn’t hilly enough! She got her come-uppance later, which serves her right as we were lots of hours in the saddle today! Rang Mel 4km from Haslach to find they were approaching fast and thus we had a joyful reunion and celebratory coffee whilst we all talked at once, much to the confusion of the waitress, who for some reason was dressed in traditional costume and had come straight out of the Sound of Music! Basically the van is fine. A sensor switch from the brake pedal had broken, causing the brake lights to be on all the time. This was eventually fixed by the French garage. The squeak is a bit of mystery (I wondered whether it may have been one of Georges escaped dwarf hamsters!) but it disappeared as soon as they crossed the Rhine. My opinion is that the VW is just glad to be back in Deutschland! All brakes, etc have been checked and alles gut!
The cycleways gave out and we started to climb above Hornberg. Alpine like gradients but not enough to require the small chain ring. Sun out and cows with bells round their necks grazed between the picture- perfect wooden houses and clock shops. I pulled in at a roadside fruit stall because I know Tizz loves fruit and she once again suggested that she had failed to grasp some basic practicalities by purchasing half a hundredweight of apples, etc. I said I’d only stopped for a couple of cherries! Bad, busy roads to Bad Durrheim where I am now – we sacked the planned camping for a nice hotel and rightly so as it has not stopped raining all night. However, we had a great meal (even though we once again experienced Germans not accepting anything other than German credit cards) and the rain this morning appears to have stopped. Austria here we come – but fruhstuck first!!

After the day from hell yesterday today has been a complete contrast. Tizz and I have pushed on from Lutzelbourg, discovering the Canal de la Marne au Rhin which takes us 40 miles on beautiful smooth tarmac straight to Strasbourg, downhill with a tail wind!! Have bought some shorts and a t-shirt and feel like a new man!! 480 miles done and we’re virtually in Germany! Support team still at Metz but vanhas been fixed and they’ll be on their way soon! Phew! Picture of my favourite canal attached, plus arrival at Strasbourg by the Euro Parliament building!