Day 17 Geisenheim to Koblenz 74kms

Another good day in spite of legs complaining about yesterday. Good weather and perfect cycle tracks.

This is probably the prettiest part of the German Rhine with castles and vineyards on both sides of the Rhine gorge. Lots of tourists boats plying up and down.
We started from Geisenheim fairly early after a reasonable night in the tent. Temperature down to acceptable levels. Crossed the rhine almost immediately to Bingen. Made good progress along the southern bank although as would be expected the wind was fresh up the valley and through the gorge.
Had lunch- a plain roll and coffee at a lovely village called Bacharach. Real classic old German village. Castles on every hill!!
Legs really started to complain as the day went on and got to Kablenz as planned. Good campsite with new fascilities but cold showers. Gill can handle that but took me a while to wash with lots of gasps and groans.
We are behind on schedule so may do some of the industrial central part of the Rhine by boat or train.

OK now the good and bad. Accommadation
The good- finding a nice campsite with a restaurant and good hot showers.
The bad- worrying all day if we can find somewhere to stay!

PS look on Gills timeline on Facebook. See Gill Ralphs

Day 6

Shorter day but some rough track to negotiate. Can be very slow and some walking up short hills. Far less riders today as I suspect most were doing the circuit of Lake Constance over the weekend so I went further along the Rhine and a little South. Full sun again so lots sunscreen put on this morning.
Last night campsite was good with excellent restaurant. Not so many noisy children.
Past through Schaffhausen which a very classic german looking city. Lots of japanese tourists wandering the streets with cameras in hand.
The Rhine falls was not a goer. They had screened off the views and were charging entrance fee. Was reluctant to leave the bikes and bags as there were so many people about. That when 2 travellers makes it easy. I did catch of glimpse of the falls but not worth a photo.
The bike and trailer are giving me no problems, touch wood but will oil the chain tonight as very dusty and dirty. Its a tough little bike alright.
Looking forward to a hotel tomorrow in Zurich when I catch up with Sue for phase 2w of the ride. Just a short distance but over some hills.
The restaurant shuts at 6 here tonight and no shops around so will need to eat early. Tent site well away from other campers so should be a quiet night.

Arrived in Andermatt

Long day travelling from Heathrow to Andermatt. The two bags are heavy and difficult to handle, with lots of puffing up and down stairs at the stations.
Although the weather was dull some great views on the train from Zurich to Andermatt. Lots of cloud obscuring the mountain tops but looks like snow still around.
Met and had dinner with a very chatty American couple who are riding down the Rhine tomorrow too. He is 75 and planning to ride up the pass to the top so puts me to shame as I will take the train to the top of the pass.(that is the real start of the Eurovelo 15 and source of the Rhine).
Looking forward to actually starting the ride and so far few hitches. My plug adapter does not seem to fit so maybe the Swiss dont use the usual European plugs. Will have to charge my gadjets with the dynamo and solar panels.

Probably wont sleep that well, with the nervous excitement!!