We are luxuriating in the lap of luxury in the Hilton Hotel in Basle - courtesy of some of the Hilton Honours points that Colin has accumulated over the years. We feel a little underdressed in our sweaty t shirts and cycling shorts! To their credit, the staff at reception didn't turn a well-groomed hair when we stumbled in after cycling 90km and climbing 680m. We will spend our second and very well deserved rest day here.

Now we have left the Rhine behind and are following another old route - the Via Francigena which is an old Pilgrim's trail from London to Rome. (Though I think we might call a halt before we get to Rome!)

The weather is still not being very kind - it's so cold, with a strong wind. And of course Sod's Law is working so that no matter which direction we are going in, it is always in our faces! But Meteo Swiss has promised us blue skies for our attempt on the Alps.

Ellie is doing brilliantly, despite having to cycle with one wrist strapped up - she seems to have a trapped nerve, which might be the result of being knocked off her bike on the first day. It means that she is having to cycle one-handed as much as she can, and she has problems using the brakes. I daren't think about what will happen when we are descending to Airolo after the San Gottardo Pass.

Keep following us - we are almost there. 1260kms down with only (!) another 350km and 1500m to go.


Some people have expressed an interest in coming to meet us when we arrive at the Porto di Bodio. It should be late on Friday evening. I will keep Colin up to date with our ETA. Claire, if you are still out there, could you pass the message on to anyone else who is interested? I will ask Colin to contact you.

We have had some heart warming messages of support from many friends and from people we have met along the way. So keep thinking those positive thoughts for us and send us those texts and posts.

Kisses,
Alison