June 11th - 12th Altstatten

Rhine valley of Switzerland

Was a long grind up the hill

Our last day cycling in Switzerland. Another glacial day, only had 45km to do so cracked along to keep warm. Both struggled a bit with the climbing as the legs were tired from the previous day(s) and were taking their time to warm up it was so cold. We got to Altstatten by early afternoon, in time for another bowl of soup.

Broke the hire cycles down, taking off our seats and replacing with the hire companies ones. Cleaned them as best we could with a buckets and rags from the kitchen staff at the hotel.  They will be collected the next day by the agent. Did a dry run to the railway station as we found out there were two railway stations in Altstatten. We had booked for a train directly to Zurich airport and did not want to get it wrong at 8am. Actually had to get a bus to the railway station as walking in the wet with packs would not have been a  joyful start to the day.. Had a look around the medieval township known for its painted murals on buildings.  

Out of our hotel window, another town clock to ensure we could hear the chimes all night.....We have struggled with the bedding in Switzerland. Enormous feather filled duvets, usually singles, it is so hot we end up pulling out the inners and trying to sleep under the shells, not ideal.

Jeff had tracked down a 4 times removed cousin who lived nearby. Jeffs mother's name was Bruschweiler, her grandfather came out from Switzerland. The folks collected us from our hotel at 6pm and we had a nice evening with them. The son in law is Spanish, called Albert, and real character. 

Heinz and cousin Kathrin. They are off for their summer holiday towing a caravan to northern Germany a day or so later.

Today, Friday 12th, we flew from Zurich airport arriving in Heathrow to then collect our hire car and drive to Oxford arriving around 5.30pm. Staying at the "Bear and Ragged Staff" in a village called Cumnor; 15mins from Oxford. Lively English pub meal and an early night. Tomorrow we meet the folks we are housesitting for at Witney and their black labrador Omey. We will be there for two weeks. Nice to be in one place, disgorge the backpacks and potter about walking the dog. And so the next adventure begins.