To Basel 165km

Well, that's more like it. A warm fine day of river side biking. I saw a beautiful long border spanning covered bridge in Bad Sackingen. In Rhinefelden there were a flock of storks circling.

I stopped in a cafe at the bottom of a hill (before the start of another - the cyclists are crazy, none of your slowing for pedestrians - or waiters - here) in Laufenberg. It looked like a lovely little town but, like everything else, it was closed on Sunday. I'd have spent a merry few hours in all places but instead I pushed on. 

I stopped for a few picnics but otherwise I had to content myself with just looking. I hadn't quite been aiming for Basel but made it here anyway. The campsite marked on my map has either gone or was swallowed by the Celtic music festival. There was lots of tartan. There was also what shall we do with the drunken sailor in German. That tickled me. 

There was a site about 10k north but at the end of a long day that seems like an impossible distance. Especially as it was in the 'wrong' direction. I gave up and switched on the 3G finding a site in seconds only 15 minutes away. It was easy to locate but, on getting here I found it signed full. Water bottles out, I was ready to push onto mulhouse if someone would just let me top up. Luckily the patron took pity on me (and then about 10 others so goodness knows why that sign was there).

Tent up and stove out, tea was cooked before the storm finally hit.

One of my many border crossings. 

A very specific sign through a nature reserve. The birds (ducks, swans, geese) refused to move so there were several near misses. 

Nesting stork. 

There's weather ahead. 

Feuerthalen - Waldshut 74km

First day of tour 'proper ' and I started by packing up a very wet and muddy tent. Of course this means more faff, far too much haste and not enough speed. The result being me dripping wet and everything else randomly shoved in any available bag. I just wanted to be off. 

By the time I reached Rhinefalls (third time) all was dry and life was good. I faithfully followed Eurovelo 6 signs along the banks although annoyingly I was on the south and should by now have been north. The north route cuts out a great big loop. The south route doesn't. The north route has the occasional hill. The south route doesn't.  It's perpetual hill.  Still, the pay off is lovely views and great descents. 

I got rained on a lot. 

I was aiming for 50, ease myself in gradually but, the sight at Zarzach wasn't signed well enough for my tastes. And I got caught up in jubilant wedding traffic. Not that this site was easy to spot. It's on a tiny meander amongst a load of roads and in a different country. The bridge across was wrapped in scaffolding and hidden among roadworks.

That said, it's very pretty and cycle-tastic.

Tomorrow I hope to be spending most of my time in Germany. I've remembered it's Sunday so am well stocked up and I've spent a bit of time sorting myself out.  Come rain or shine, can we guess which, it should be smoother. 

Good start. 

Steep climb rewarded by beautiful views

It rained a lot. 

The sight is cycle-tastic. 

In Other News 27km

Apart from the whole lock saga, today has been pleasant. 

I set off at midday after watching everyone else pack up. My plan was to cycle to the Rhine Falls, have a look and then tootle off into town. As it's only a few km I wore flip flops. Ha ha. 

Now, I know the word for diversion 'Umleitung' from a rather frustrating day outside Ulm a few years ago. Feeling clever I set off to follow it. As I may have mentioned three 20% climbs. (Ok, 2 - signed as such at the top - why do they never give you the heads up on the way up. Is it to stop you getting off or giving up? and one unsigned one which felt far more than that on the way up and the way down) I'm still not 100% comfy out of the saddle of my new bike (it actually fits me - no back ache, it's been a revelation- and my riding position is more upright which I assume impacts on balance) so further impeded by the slippery grip of flip flops I feared I would not make it. But make it I did. Go granny gears! 

Rhinefalls though is worth the effort. I was sceptical but, the sheer volume of water passing under your feet is amazing. Standing facing it is dizzying. The noise is deafening. 

As I had been into Schaffhausen earlier (see previous post) I came back to camp via a supermarket. Tea - as I'm sure you'll all be fascinated to hear - was potato hash. Now I'm studying maps and identifying likely stops ready for the start of my next big adventure. 

Coffee with milk in a chocolate cup. What happens if it melts ? 

Europe's biggest waterfalls

A new one for my collection - with a chalk sketch too. 

For those equally fascinated by such things : http://vimeo.com/m/36167291