The road to the Rhine was as advertised. Pleasant rural countryside and every farm and house neat and tidy. The cows even wore cowbells. A few reasonably stiff climbs served to loosen our legs and get the city air out of our lungs.

We joined the Rhine at Elikon and cycled along the gravel path through the forest. The clouds became heavier and it started to rain, we donned our waterproof jackets.

We stopped briefly at the Rhine falls, Glen walked down to the water and had a quick look, but it was impossible to get the bikes down the steps and time was getting on.

We looked for at accommodation in Gailingen and Diessenhofen, but everything we liked the look of was full. Gailingen is on the German side of the Rhine and Diessenhofen the Swiss. There is an old and beautiful toll bridge across the Rhine now guarded by a guy in a scruffy jumper and pants but with gun on hip. He was stopping cars briefly but waved us through.

We stayed in the Rheinfeld Hotel in Stein am Rhein. It was above our normal budget but our top floor room overlooked the Rhine and had a fantastic view. The room was basic but the breakfast was good and fresh.