Cycling days 7,8 and 9

Day 7: Germany to Austria

A pleasant cycle today largely along the lake from Friedrichshafen (Germany) and on to Bregenz (Austria). Many opportunties to admire the displays of late summer flowers and pretty architecture, but we pushed on because rain was looming. Stopped in beautiful Lindau just as it turned cold and started to rain, and bunkered down in a warm Backerei/cafe. Wandered through Lindau but didn't really do it justice because of the weather, then rode the last 10km to Bregenz in drizzling rain. Not really a problem because we are well protected up top by our gear and then could immediately enjoy a hot shower at our hotel. We were spoilt by being allocated a suite with separate lounge room, so plenty of space to dry stuff.

Day 8: Austria to Switzerland

A varied day, leaving our lovely suite at Hotel Messmer in Bregenz for a cable car ride up to the top of Mt Pfander for some beautiful views both of Lake Constance, where we had been riding and the mountains above the lake.

The 35 km ride was straight forward, with an interesting view of the Rhine Delta on the way. Not a lot of actual lake view though - more around a series of spits. 

Arrived at our hotel in Rorschach (Hotel Mozart) to find we had probably the best room in the hotel - top floor, spacious, with all 3 windows having expansive lake views. Time for some in room wine and nibbles (supermarket purchased of course - this IS Switzerland!) just to enjoy the vista.

Day 9: Switzerland

Something different today - no cycling! Instead, we caught a cog train up into the hills behind Rorschach, to Heiden and then hiked 8km across the hills to Walls'n'houses (or some such name), through farmland, villages and forests. It is called "Laughter trail" because all the way along are signs with jokes. We only realised what these signs were after we got back, despite having tokens to be able to listen to them. But they were all in Swiss/German anyway. We were to have returned via another cog rail way and a small boat but because it was very windy and the lake was rough, these were cancelled and bus and train had to suffice.