A rest day, a new use for our folding bucket and chips guilt.

We had preplanned to have a bit of a rest /admin day in Breganz. So luxuriating in not having to pitch the tent, we headed into town to do some food shopping early, as being Austria shops actually close early on Sundays.

Had coffee in the supermarket coffee place. Got some strange looks as I went in, as I was looking for a powerpoint and therefore was scanning low down all around for the ideal table to sit. Having said that the locals were just as odd, with one elderly gentleman having the breakfast of champions - two cans of lager. The other odd old woman sat for the entire time with a half drunk glass of orange juice. What was remarkable about her however was her hair. This was dyed jet black, but cut to the shape of a cube, with a totally flat top and square sides. Presumably an important tool for her coiffeur beyond a hairdryer would also be a spirit level and a protractor.

Unfortunately later on in the evening, Sian started to feel a bit sick, and later on , shall we say, had a conversation on the rainbow telephone. Thus the further use for our little Ortlieb folding bucket. I’m suspicious that this may be from refilling our bottles from the ubiquitous fountains in Swiss villages - probably not from drinking the fresh water, but more from storing it in bottles and subjecting it to warm temperatures ideal for microbe procreation.

Despite all, we did about 58km from Breganz to Meersburg on the side of Lake Constance, or the Bodensee as the Germans call it. At Meersburg we then got a ferry across to Konstanz. There are 5 ferries servicing this route - so no more than about 10 minutes to wait, and as soon as one ferry leaves the other one docks.

Hats off to Sian for enduring. Part of the post eeurgh syndrome was finding something that she wanted to eat. Having tried some Kuchen (Cake- usually a sure fire winner with her) and a Kit Kat bar, nothing seemed to tempt her appetite, until passing through a more touristy area we both smelt chips. “Ooh, I could murder some chips” she exclaimed. So we stopped and bought 3 Euros worth of chips, complete with a dollop of ketchup. Sadly, Sian ate one chip, and then very meekly told me that she couldn’t eat any more. Now, having paid for these chips, we were quite entitled just to leave them. But, I hate waste ( the Scottish gene again) and felt really guilty leaving them there. But that is what we did, and literally sneaked away from the shop, expecting any moment the owner to come chasing after us shouting “Vot is wrong with mein chips. You vill eat them!!!!"

The ride itself was a great mix of the Germans at play, some really pretty villages and again great weather. It was with some sadness that we left the high mountains of the Alps in the background, now with Lake Constance between them and us.

Bikes on the Meersburg-Konstanz ferry

That true cornerstone of German fast food - Currywurst!

Self explanatory really

Friederischaven - home of the Zeppelin

A magical moon shining on the Bodensee