We had a slow start to the morning as we both woke up exhausted. I probably would have stayed in bed but I needed the loo, which I managed to get to in my sleep. We thought about staying a second night in the busy campground but decided to find somewhere nicer.

At breakfast we met a nice couple from Australia who have been cycle touring up the Elbe river to Czech Republic, so I mentioned to Mike that I’d like to do that. Next thing, they’ve offered us their guide book. They fly home tomorrow and have no need for it. So that was really nice of them.

We stopped at the city of Mainz and had a quick look around. We’d hoped to get supplies but it was Sunday and everything was shut. Thankfully there was a bakery kiosk so we got some chocolate croissants and pretzels.

It was hot today and the day dragged. We stopped for lunch at a beer garden by the river. I had planned to be healthy and was about to choose a salad from the menu when I saw a lady with schnitzel and thought ‘I want that!’ So we ordered one each and some drinks. I handed over my card but they said cash only. We didn’t have enough cash so we ended up getting just one to share. I thought about cancelling my drinks but he’d already poured them.

Nobody takes cards in Germany, it is cash everywhere, even campgrounds. Something to do with high bank charges. So we need to get some cash out.

After lunch I struggled to stay awake as we cycled along, I was just so tired. We found a tree and lay the picnic blanket down and I promptly fell asleep for about 30 minutes.

I felt much better after my nap and we continued on in the heat. Apparently it’s only 30 degrees but it feels way hotter. We decided to stop at the first camp that looked ok.

The first few had no shade and didn’t have any space for tents. Then we arrived at one that looked perfect. Nice shady spot right next to the river with a restaurant and bar onsite.

We were going to cook but didn’t have much so opted for dinner at the bar. We bothered decided on schnitzel again as that was all that was on the menu that we understood. It wasn’t as good as lunchtime one though.

We had a great nights sleep and woke up and decided to stay another day. Turns out the town we are in is a picturesque fairy tale village so we took a look around this morning. It’s a neat little town with differing shades of chocolate ripple and wonkiness of all shapes and sizes. We marvelled, snapped photos, got some cash out then went back to camp, sat by the river and watched the boats go up and down the Rhine.

It was another crazy hot day of 35 degrees and we were happy to be sitting in the shade on the banks of the river, a gentle breeze doing its best but failing to keep us cool. It was the perfect rest day as we didn’t do anything. And the spot is so picturesque with the river, big hills either side and castles in the hills.

We bought a postcard to send to the kids and I bought one for Dad too, so hopefully he gets it.

I’m writing this at 8.30pm and it’s still really really hot and it’s going to be hotter tomorrow, apparently 38 degrees. So we’re gonna set the alarm for 6am and hope to be away by 7am to beat the heat. We’ve booked an air conditioned hotel in Koblenz as we both need a break from the heat.