Friday 13 May

Friday 13 May

We left Andeer at about 10 am, to ride the approx 330 km to Aarau, where Marius lives, but about 60 km short, decided to find a campsite, which proved easy enough.  A “farm” campsite, about 15 Euro, opposed to the normal 25 or 30! Free internet, but not much time – we have a date!!!

The ride today was magnificent, words cannot describe the rivers, lakes, mountains, forests, roads, passes, views etc that we are experiencing.  Photos don’t do justice to the green beauty of being able to ride slowly, on all the minor roads.  We are avoiding all the cities and highways, which is proving to be perfect.

One of the passes  - Oberalps – I think – over the Alps???  Took us to over 2000 m, with a big ski resort, and some snow on the mountains, with roads zig zagging amazingly all the way up and down. Guys on bikes seem to love these passes, as we see them all the time, with friendly waves, but unfortunately they never stop to say hi, even when we are parked along the roads, taking pics, or having lunch.

Once we had set up the tent, with things scattered all over the show to dry, we went to a nearby cheap chain supermarket, to buy some supper, which should be bread and snacks.  Anyway, as we were getting onto the bike to leave, a very South African accent asked us where we are from.  Turned out to be Ian Roodt, a South African, who has lived in Lucerne for 18 years.  After chatting in the car park for 10 minutes, he invited us to a braai at his house, so guess what we will have for supper??!!

We are still looking at options to get home, and have narrowed it down to 3 options - Ship bikes home to Cape Town or Pe etc, or Fly the ourselves and the bikes to Nairobi and ride home from there - first choice - opr Ride back all the way.  Prices for airtickets, shipping or flying the bikes all seem to be very high - a price of about 50 000  Rand today to fly the bikes to Nairobi!!!  Will see.  Per in Sweden seems to think he can help us, by visiting the logistics companies, and Paul in Cape Town will try his resources as well.

Tomorrow we will hopefully meet Marius, at about 10 am, so all going very well!