Day 22

After a usual breakfast, we hung around this morning, hoping to miss out on the rainfall predicted, only leaving at just after ten. We had 48 miles to go today, It was chilly, and I nearly put my long johns on. Unfortunately less than 20 minutes later we had to stop and put on our waterproof trousers. The road was very steep, with hairpin bends, the rain light but persistent, and it was tough looking across the valley to light blue skies. We had done 2 hours, and only covered 10 miles, and that was enough in waterproof pants. It was a nice relief to turn off into a great path through a beautiful National Park.

The next few miles were, according to Poet Paul, "quite pleasant", as we passed through acres of open pastures and farmland, with literally hundreds of cattle and horses grazing together. Even some of the horses have bells on - is this only in Switzerland??

Oh but we had terrible wind today. At the top of this hill I was almost blown over, and we both struggled to make progress as the wind blew us backwards. It was a twister! 

Within another hour we passed through villages and towns, sunshine and showers. At 3ish we got some food at an out-of-nowhere Aldi (!!) and sat on some happy logs for our lunch.

By 5pm we cycled over the beautiful River Aare, and each took a photo - 

The last few miles were right beside the river, some stunning houses each with a boat berthed at the riverside. We arrived at our hotel by six, it is called The Florida!! Quite stunning - and so unexpected to find this luxury - we have a "bath tube" at last! The restaurant was very busy all evening, we had a table with a view over a duck-filled lake, and apparently there are also flamingos! We are keen to see what else is going on here in the morning (late late morning!) but as it is a day off, and rain forecast ALL day, we may not do too much at all. Today the highlight literally was at over 3450 ft (approximately the same elevation at Mount Snowden) we had a high-five, and feel we've earned a rest. The map tonight -