Needless to say that by the time I reached the top I was gasping for air and promptly swallowed a fly.
My least favourite moment of the day? Crossing a bridge by the railway, able to see the ground way below as the church bells tolled.
The weather was threatening, the ground undulating and my cycling mojo was lacking. Plus after yesterday's phone saga (another story for another day) I was low on power so not even music could give me the push I (literally) needed.
Anyway, I got to my lunch stop in Ehingen and sat myself next to a power socket. I ordered the cunningly titled vegetarian pasta and as it turned out, a bucket of coffee. The veggie pasta was delightful. Spaghetti in white sauce with frozen (now boiled) veg on top. That was carrot, broccoli and cauliflower.
Whatever the culinary merits of the food it did its job and I left feeling revived. Ready for the Blutopf.
Cycling out along the valley, the wind was in my face and the tiny little gradient not in my favour, but soon things turned a corner - me with them - and the wind wasn't so bad, the land flat and all was a bit better with the world.
I tried stopping at a stoneage cave but it was closed.
Hitting Blaubeuren it became clears that the serene little village I had imagined was being eaten up by a retail park building project. Roadworks and closures make a cycle path hard to follow but I negotiated my way through the mess until I hit the older town.
I had planned to stay here in a youth hostel (as usual at the top of a hill) but got there to find it closed. Hotel it is then.
After a bit more work I found the Blautopf where the water was indeed Blau. Very pretty.
I returned through the town and passed the only vandalised signs I have found. Out through the valley to Ulm. Arriving just in time to catch the tourist information.
The hotel overlooks the cathedral and the bells are loud. Very.
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