Waldshut to Donaueshingen Saturday May 13th

I cannot lie. I did not sleep well. The ground was hard. My mat wasn't sufficiently inflated. I saw every hour from 23 to 06. I awoke with a really sore back and wondered seriously if I could continue. That's my excuse for once again forgetting to start my Garmin. But as usual it gradually wore off and I had more difficulty with neck and shoulders than bum and back. This is my first trip without chamois creme or bum cream but Wiggle let me down for the first time. So far so good but I am a little nervous. I have always used chamois creme and I have never suffered down below. Fingers and everything else crossed.

 Everbody in the tent area of Rhein - camping was French as I discovered this morning when I wished them "Morgen" only to get blank stares. One couple is riding to Budapest like me but taking four weeks. Another was heading down the Rhein. Gerard the Frenchman that is going all the way to the Black Sea wanted to ride with me today which entailed him changing his planned route, but I discouraged him quoting my sore back and the likelihood of meeting up later en route. We exchanged mobile numbers and on vira. 

 I duly set off, tout seul, and made good progess for the first hour or two. I was searching continuously for a cafe. Do the Germans not drink coffee? It was 15.30 at the foot of a 6km hill when I eventually found coffee in a cabin by  the side of the road. They took cash only so I had to dispense with any idea of something to eat since I had also failed to find any Geldomat (ATM) I am down to 2 Euros. Must find a Geldomat tomorrow. 

 I eventually arrived at Ride See Campingplaz where I received a very warm welcome from Julia, daughter of the owners, who had fond memories of a visit to Scotland. There was a small shop where I tried to find oats without success. Julia went to her own kitchen and gave me a packet of oats no charge. It never ceases to amaze my how kind people are. 

I had stopped two guys out on road bikes for instructions because I continue to have a poor or no mobile signal - not what I expected in Germany. They were excellent at giving complicated directions which they repeated until I understood. I was able to follow them all the way to the campsite. Thanks guys. 

I am writing this in the camp site restaurant where I have enjoyed a huge peppered steak with a well dressed salad for 17 euros which seems to be inline with our newly inflated prices. Not cheap but excellent and 20 metres from where my tent is pitched. Tomorrow I plan to go into Donauechingen to see the source of the Danube before setting out on the Donauradweg - the Danube Cycleway .

distance cycled so far:    142kms