So what's next?

Another fantastic rest day at Mary's with vast quantities of more excellent food, a walk with Max, a trip to the local garden centre and even a fun splash around in the pool late this afternoon!

So what's next?

Tomorrow, I set off on tour number 2 which will be nearly a week exploring the Chablais-Aravis region. There are a few big mountain cols en route which should make life interesting! The weather forecast is hot and sunny with thunderstorms which I hope will remain in the evening rather than during the day whilst I'm pedalling.

The week after that is nearly finalised and will be another route through Switzerland either via the Jura or the Mitteland, which is between the Jura and the Alps, to reach Basel. And then it will give me just under 2 weeks to get myself to Calais to pick up the European Bike Express.

So I'll let you know how I get on!

Another massive thank you to Mary for being the most amazing host, for the use of her washing machine (again!), for baking the most heavenly carrot cake and cooking all that incredible food and for looking after me just so perfectly. And a big thank you to husband Rene and gorgeous 8 month old son Max for being a lovely part of this whole experience. It will be very hard to prise myself away...


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Gorgeous Rest Day

I've had such an utterly fabulous rest day that I'm staying at Mary's for another day!

We've had lots of fun with 8 month old Max today who is a very happy chappy and still lots of big smiles for his auntie Andi! He seemed to enjoy the Decathlon store experience almost as much as me this afternoon!

And the food...more divine homemade carrot cake, homemade spinach quiche and salad for lunch, savoury pancakes with mushrooms, spinach, onions, cheese and lots more salad for dinner.

You can understand my decision to stay!!

Thank you all again for your messages. Enjoy watching the Olympics particularly to those lucky enough to be going in person (Jess Ennis and the Brownlees, Adele, how did you manage that?!) And happy hols in the Dordogne to Teresa. Happy flight Laetitia on Wed! Mandie, Loz, Mel, glad you are enjoying the blogs. And well done Caroline both for the blog response and also very much for the PHP Olympics football effort!

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Back to Blogging!

Hi Everyone

It seems a number of people were suffering the same issues as myself regarding the blog and it looks like Google have fixed the issue now.  There was a conspiracy theory that Google had blocked the service from mobile phones as the Olympics started due to the terrorist threat....??!!  So my "Hotelling in Fribourg" post has only just updated several days later in case you're confused.

I'm having the loveliest morning at Mary's.  I sat outside in the warm sunshine eating breakfast on the terrace by the pool overlooking the mountains surrounding Geneva.  Bliss!  Then a half dead fly plopped into my cereal ruining the moment somewhat!  It really is the most peaceful, beautiful place here.

I heard about Lizzie Armistead's silver medal in the ladies cycling road race - awesome especially as she is from Otley, location of my cycle club.  Brilliant, brilliant news and I'm guessing the OCC had major celebrations yesterday!

Teresa, please no mention of emergency tent drying measures again!!!  Glad you had a good time in the Lakes despite the weather.

Tally ho for now everyone and looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Andi xx

Hotelling in Fribourg

I think I've finally found my mountain legs! I had an awesome cycle ride today & almost wished I could have kept cycling, I had so much in the tank. What a difference a rest day can make!

I am glad, however, that my stopping off point was Fribourg today. What a stunning city as the photo shows(I'll try and get a photo with me in it at some point, Mandie!). I swooped into town over the bridge in the photo so had a fabulous breathtaking view as I freewheeled in. The language changes from German to French as you cross this river. I was still surprised when greeted by a cheery "bonjour" when I checked in at the hotel though. Everything really is French. The cut off seems so sudden. It's been much easier ordering food and drink here, I just finish everything with "danke" instead of "merci" now! Laetitia, you would manage just fine in Switzerland being fluent in both French and German!

It sounds like the PHP Olympics is going well! Keep going everyone, that final bit of fundraising tomorrow to hit the target. You can do it! Caroline, thank you for re-assuring me that not everyone stopped at the pub during the running race!!! You'll have to ask Sue or Stu how to reply on the blog as they're dab hands now!

I've seen thunderstorms are forecast here for the weekend, too, Laetitia. I guess they'll be quite localised in the mountains so let's hope I'm on a different mountain when they strike! I saw the temperature here in a village I passed today was 33 degrees and it got hotter in the afternoon. I knew it was warm! Fortunately, there are water fountains everywhere in Switzerland so I've a plentiful supply of fresh, cool water.

Just another 2 days of cycling on Swiss Route 4 and then I'll be landing on Mary's doorstep with a pile of smelly washing!!

A toute a l'heure!

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Technical Problems...

Hi Everyone

It's so nice to write to you again thanks to the loan of Mary's laptop.  Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to update the blog from my phone anymore :-(.  If anyone knows how to help, I'd be most grateful.  The blogs have been quite a lifeline on this trip so far and I love, love, love reading all your messages.  So sorry to have worried any of you, I've had a few texts and emails.  I'm safe, alive and well and have now cycled across Switzerland!

What an amazing last few days - hotelling in Fribourg where the language changed completely from German to French as I crossed the river.  Easier for me to speak and understand although I kept finishing every sentence with "danke" - oops!  Two nights of awesome thunderstorms whilst in the tent, v exciting! And then actually completing my cycle ride across Switzerland.  The last day was very tough, so hilly and very steep - much more like the Yorkshire Dales in terms of steepness rather than kinder Alpine gradients.  I climbed to over 1500 metres into the cloud and murk.  But then, as I started to descend, the most incredible view of Lac Leman was before me and I took a few moments to take in the extraordinary view and what I'd just achieved. 

And here I am now at Mary and Rene's and I've met 8 month old Max who has had lots of smiles for his auntie Andi!  I am being so well looked after - Mary had baked the most fabulous carrot cake (we both devoured 2 slices this afternoon) and cooked a really superb meal with lots of fresh food which I've been struggling to eat this past week (too hot to carry during the day and not available at campsites) and Rene produced his usual excellent salad and dressing.  All my laundry has been done, my tent has been hung up and dried and the thing I loved most about my shower here was a fresh fluffy towel rather than my quick-dry camping towel affair.  Bliss!  So a  big thank you to Mary, Rene, Max and Terry the cat for such a wonderful welcome and being sensational hosts.  And Mary's going to take me to the wonder that is Decathlon tomorrow!!

I'll update the blog as often as I can and hopefully find the solution to the problem with the blog no longer updating from the phone.  Can any techies out there help?

Cheerio for now everyone!

Andi xx

River Swimming in Thun

Not me, I hasten to add! Just something quite unusual I saw whilst meandering through Thun on my rest day. Rivers here are so crystal clear & a beautiful turquoise colour.

I'm actually writing this blog from inside a wash cabin at the campsite....weird! But I'm delighted to say I was able to buy the right adaptor whilst in Thun so I can blog again every day-hurrah! People must wonder what I'm doing as I wait for the phone to recharge!!

I've had such a lovely day off and what perfect weather. I thought I could have a lay in this morning but my tummy demanded breakfast by 7am (6am UK time so you know I'm not slacking!). I got lots of clothes washed & dried, quite a challenge when you usually move on every day so this felt a major achievement. And I've managed to get some fresh food whilst shopping - campsites tend not to sell this and it's now too hot to carry anything fresh. So I'm planning on a yummy stir fry for dinner. And, of course, I've been sightseeing in historic Thun which involved a bus journey and me not being able to speak the language. I cycle into French speaking Switzerland tomorrow, phew!

Your messages are just so amazing. Mum, glad to hear the stitches are coming out and that you're on the mend. Marion, it's great to hear from you, I know you'll be living this adventure with me. Mary, I'll have a think about food requests, my favourite hobby! 2 mini gas canisters please or 1 medium one if you are passing Decathlon! I wish I could carry more but at least they're lasting really well at the mo. Charlie, love the title of the book! Uncle Kev's, thank you for being in touch and love to you, Nan & Gramps. Janny, thank you for thinking I'm an inspiration, I don't feel it as I wobble up the hills purple faced, eyes popping out! I am getting my protein- lots of cheesecake!! Linda, love your comment about the calories escaping if you cut the pudding in half!! Great to hear from you John B on behalf of club members and glad you, too, had a sunny Sunday ride (finally!). Gus, it's back to the fun mountains tomorrow!! Jeanette, great to hear from you. Mandie, Joan, you'll be glad to hear I'm paying attention to my own advice and going soooo slowly up hills!

And lots and lots of luck to PHP for their fundraising Olympics this week, I know you'll all be having great fun!

I'm staying in a hotel tomorrow night in Fribourg. How civilised!

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Glaubenbielen Pass 1.jpg

Today is what my tour is all about - demanding but do-able, a challenging distance, extraordinary scenery, fabulous weather & friendly people. Fantastic!

I'll keep it short & sweet with my rapidly diminishing battery issues. 66.11 miles with 2 mountain passes: Glaubenbielen at 1611m and Schalleberg at 1167m. And, following a glass of wine with my mushroom risotto (courtesy of my trangia) and salad, I feel gooood!! And the weather is amazing. I'm sat outside in a vest top & it's nearly 9pm.

PHP (The Private Health Partnership) are raising money this week by running the PHP Olympics! This includes an Olympic breakfast & bouncy football?!!! I'm absolutely delighted to take part in the Tour de Lonnen which I hope will raise some additional funds. Guys, you have my mileage in the paragraph above.

Thank you for all your supportive comments regarding my 2 puddings yesterday!!

Cheerio until I can next get this phone juiced :-))). xxxxx

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So what do you think of my campsite?!

How gorgeous is this?! A wonderful campsite right on the shores of the Sarnen See surrounded by Swiss mountains. AND the sun has been out ALL DAY!!! Perfect!

Today has thankfully been quite an easy one after yesterday & before tomorrow's ride which, quite frankly, looks a bugger. I even had a 20 minute crossing on a car ferry as part of the route!

Just as I was starting to feel good about myself & this trip, I met an amazing elderly chap whilst eating my picnic lunch. His English was very broken so he showed me photos of a 4,000km tour he had done from Sweden to Switzerland with a fully laden bike as he, too, was camping. He said he loved it every time he saw a cycle tourist as it reminded him of his amazing tour. He took of photo of me, the "English lady"!

Overall, my muscles are killing me and I'm not sure there are words to describe how my bum is feeling. My hayfever has kicked in & I woke up this morning with my right eye so swollen, I looked like I'd been punched. But I feel so much better after a proper meal at a restaurant tonight rather than one of my campstove creations. I watched the chef make my veggie stir fry this evening & I was able to enthusiastically yell "more!" to ensure I got a huge plateful. I was after the mango cheesecake for dessert & then saw a big bowl of fruit salad so had both. I'm now very full!!

I should sleep well tonight!

I may have to blog every other day now as I can't recharge my phone battery, my adaptor doesn't work here. I'll be able to top up at Mary's on Sunday. Poor Mary, I've asked to use her washing machine & will now be needing juice for my phone as well. I am coming to see you as well, Mary, promise!

Thank you again and again and again for all your messages. I switch my phone on in the evening & can't wait to see who has said what! A substantial treat at the end of every day :-)))

Wish me luck for tomorrow!

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Sunny Climes & Climbs!

Today was all about the climb. The Klausen Pass is the highest col on this part of the tour at 1952m/6404ft. It took me 6 hours to do the 1st 30 miles of the day!!

I'd underestimated how much harder it would be to climb mountains on a touring bike & carrying luggage. It was a real slog & it felt such an achievement to eventually reach the top. I was delighted that the mountain cafe did apple strudel however it was a sad, soggy, microwaved affair. I didn't care really, I'd earned it!

The sun was out for much of my ascent which was most welcome as it is jolly chilly at such heights. After the cafe, I donned everything I had: t-shirt, long sleeved thermal, windproof cardi, waterproof jacket, buff for neck, cap, earwarmers, Rainlegs & Winter gloves for the descent. I was instantly engulfed in freezing fog & icy rain as I descended. I put all my bike & helmet lights on as visibility was so poor. I was grateful for all my clothes! It was a joy to reach warmth & sunshine again at lower levels and even bigger treat for the eyes to arrive at my campsite in Fluelen tonight which is on a lake & surrounded by towering mountains. Thank you for the weather forecast, Mary, I'm hopeful it is correct!

I heard about Wiggins winning the tour de France-absolutely awesome! Thank you to everyone who let me know :-).

Thank you once again for all your lovely, lovely messages. I really do appreciate them.

Until the next blog... xxxx

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Cold & Wet

I really must learn not to head into the mountains if I want sunshine & warmth! Views today have been mostly of thick fog and horizontal rain which is a shame given I'm on the "Alpine Panorama" tour. At least my guidebook shows me the awesome views I should be able to see!

The cycling today was much easier than yesterday with plenty of downhills (didn't seem to be any yesterday!) and lots of bowling through green fields in a deep valley surrounded by tall, rocky mountains (according to my guidebook photos!). I finished my actual route by 2pm but then had to deviate TEN MILES to the nearest campsite. It wouldn't have mattered if the majority of that 10 miles wasn't up 18-20% gradients or if it hadn't been hammering down the entire way. The view of Klontaler See at the top was worth the effort. But then to add further insult, Swiss Trails merrily sent me to the campsite at the far end of the lake and I needed to cycle 4 miles BACK to the campsite I'd already passed earlier. By this time, I was icy cold & thoroughly soaked. I made it just before 5pm. I then had the joy of putting up a thoroughly sodden tent.

All's well that ends well however. An incredible hot shower, a mug of tea & a delicious biryani cooked on my trangia more than saved the day. This is what I love about cycle camping - the most basic things such as hot food & drink become the most important things in the world. And I'm so glad I brought my fluffy bed socks to keep my tootsies warm!!

Keep those messages coming! No tea with yetis yet to report, love Charlie's "yes we canister"!! Mum, Helen & Laetita, huge well dones on the blog responses, you techies! Mary, I know you'll be a lifesaver for my next supply of gas canisters! And thank you for your never ending support Sis.

Take care everyone. Enjoy the sunshine that's finally made it to the UK & please send some out here! And to Jane who's enduring Winter in NZ!


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Boy, did I bring the British weather!

As I sit & write this in my tent, the rain is almost deafening. Apparently the view from this gorgeous little campsite in Bachli is fabulous but it's impossible to tell from the cloud engulfing all the surroundings.

Despite the weather, I've had a wonderful day, pedalling away in perfect lush green, rolling Swiss scenery. The climbs are long & steeper than those I experienced in the French Alps. All I seem to have done today is climb! Add to that the panniers I'm carrying and you can understand my embarrassingly low average of 7.9mph!!! Today's photo shows the highest point reached of just over 1,000 metres.

A few highlights today included the surprise discovery of a hairdryer in the shower room - awesome!! Every mug of tea I made myself was extra special following the gas canisters saga! The incredible, hyper-efficient signposting of this route by the Swiss. If they could just get this weather to improve.... And switching on my phone this evening to all your messages - THANK YOU!! Please keep them coming, they are just fantastic.

And please let Nan know the tent light she got me is fantastic - just what is needed to brighten up an otherwise very dark, chilly, soggy night!

Until the next instalment, happy weekends everyone!


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Hero Chris & the Gas Canisters Saga!

Well, who would have thought that a day travelling on 3 trains from Ilkley to Leeds to London to Paris could be so exciting!

My precious gas canisters were confiscated when going through Eurostar security despite my protestations that this type were very hard to buy in France and I wouldn't be able to make my cups of tea at the end of a hard day's cycle... Although this was met with surprising sympathy (& amusement) by the Eurostar staff, the answer was still a firm "no Madam, you cannot take these on board". And yet you can take firearms on board!!

So Janny, Gus & Chris to the rescue trying to locate a nearby Decathlon in Paris where they do sell these canisters. Hero Chris wheelied into action on his new motorbike, zoomed to Decathlon and bought me several replacement canisters - hurrah!! The biggest thank you to all 3 of you. I've attached the photo of Chris handing me the treasured canisters. All is well, I can now make mugs of tea again throughout the tour!! Anyone who knows me, especially my Grandad who calls me "tea-belly", will know what this means to me!

The rest of the day, although not quite as eventful as being treated as a potential bomb-maker, was met with great friendliness, help & support from so many people as I battled getting the bike, 6 bags & me on and off trains. For those of you wondering what it is like to travel this way, it is absolutely fine & considerably less daunting than I feared. Just remember no gas canisters on Eurostar though!

And it was just fantastic to meet my lovely sister, Janny, in London and have some quality natter time until she left early for London this morning as I now head for Switzerland. It was also a great pleasure to finally meet triathlete (now hero!) Chris who seemed to find the whole dashing around Paris for gas canisters rather exciting! Thankfully the weather was fabulous with temperatures at 26 degrees in the evening.

Again a big thank you to all of you for so many wonderful messages. Not only are you sending them from as far afield as New Zealand, it is absolutely amazing to hear from school friends again who I haven't been in touch with since, well, school. It is so great to hear from you and thank you for thinking I'm so tough!!! I think I'll feel anything but when my muscles start screaming at me over the next few days!

Day 2 of travel to get out of the way and then I'll finally be off on my big adventure!

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Ready for off!

Touring bike fully laden at the start of my trip. It should be fun climbing all the mountain cols with this little lot on!

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12 hours to go!!

So how am I feeling now?  Surprisingly calm and well organised as well as ridiculously excited and definitely ready for the off. 

Most of my packing, un-packing and re-packing moments happened yesterday.  Thank you to Teresa for some level headed, sensible packing tips - she is the queen of lightweight travel.  

My only concern is I may go into complete meltdown when I try getting all the panniers on the bike tomorrow morning and realise how frighteningly heavy it all is, eek! 

The next 2 days are simply travelling by train with my bike and multiple panniers (front and rear panniers, rack pack with tent, etc., and a handlebar bag) from Ilkley, Yorkshire to St Margrethen on the north-east side of Switzerland close to the Austrian border.  Tomorrow, I head to London in the morning, meet my sister Janny there and we're then travelling together on the Eurostar to Paris where we meet up with her and Gus' friend, triathlete Chris for dinner.  We're staying in Paris overnight.  A pretty fab first day of travel in my book!

Thank you all so much for all your wonderful messages of support throughout these last few weeks.  Some of you are really getting into the blog responses - awesome!  Your messages are really keeping me going already (I've not even started yet!) and some of them are so funny so thank you for making me laugh as well!  And thank you for messages coming from as far afield as New Zealand - thank you, Jane!

Have a great Summer everyone, the weather is meant to be changing for the better as the jetstream shifts so fingers crossed!

Test from phone

To test can update blog from phone. Here's hoping!
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1 week to go!!

Wow, I cannot believe the start of this 6 week tour is coming round so fast.  And still so much to do!

Originally, my holiday this year was to attempt my first solo tour in Europe and I'd chosen to cycle across Switzerland via Swiss National Cycle Route 4 which is called the Alpine Panorama.  Those who know me know how much I love cycling in mountains!

When I decided to leave my job a couple of months ago, I grabbed the opportunity to extend the tour over the rest of the Summer.  Therefore, I will now be heading out to Switzerland on 18th July and returning home at the end of August.  After completing the Alpine Panorama tour, my route is flexible although I hope to take in some of the cols in the Haute Savoie region before heading north via the Jura mountains, the Vosges mountains and the Champagne region of France before picking up the European Bike Express in Calais.

I will be camping and carrying all my gear except for the first week in Switzerland when Swiss Trails will be transferring my back panniers from campsite to campsite.  I'll still be carrying my rack pack with tent, etc., and my front panniers with all the food.  Food is a big priority on cycle tours!

I fell in love with cycle touring back in 2007 when my Dad and I joined an organised trip with Bike Adventures from Land's End to John O'Groats.  Since then, I've cycled with Bike Adventures in Corsica, completed the Channel to the Med (north to the south of France), the 10 day Raid Pyreneen and a 2 week tour in the French Alps taking in all the cols made famous by the Tour de France.  Bike Adventures re-introduced me to camping, which I was absolutely dreading, and now I camp at every opportunity! 

All luggage was transferred with an organised group.  I took my first tentative steps into cycle-camping under my own steam last Autumn with some weekends away in the Yorkshire Dales.  Cycle touring for 6 weeks in Switzerland and France is a big leap from a few weekends away in the Dales but I can't wait!

Will I still like cycle touring by the end of this trip?  Will I love or hate my tent?  Will my camp cooking be more exciting than my usual repertoire at home?  Will I meet more people on my own?  In what ways will this trip change me?  Will my hair be indescribable without my hairdryer and hair straighteners?!

I'll start finding out a week today...!