July 11th - 12th: Rhine Falls, 100 kilometres, Rain Falls and Communication Breakdown in Brugg. Salvation in Solithurn.

The day began with a visit to the Rhine Falls

Amazing power that drives much hydro electricity along the river.

 Gorgeous fields of these.

Super example of half timbered house.

Picnic spots were at a premium today!

This Friday our ad hoc accommodation strategy broke down.  I had booked AirB&B for a bed in Wallbach on the Aare river near Brugg!!!!!

It was a 100 klm from Stein am Rhein via Koblenz where we took a left off the Rhine onto the Aare.

At 5.30 we were only 70 klm along when the heavens opened and we took shelter.  It was now I noticed the Wallbach I had booked was on the Rhine (past Koblenz), not the one on the Aare!

It would not do.  I had done my dough!

Worse was to follow........

We looked for too long for a bed in the small hamlet of Villigen; a biker said we would have more luck in Brugg where we headed.

It was now too late to organise Warmshowers or AirB&B.  Sitting in the platz as the shadows lengthened, we discovered the absurdity of Swiss hotel prices, starting at 240 Swiss francs ($285 AUD) for a double in Brugg, a town whose charm is now well hidden.  We thought - No, not paying that!

We searched the net for options far and wide, gave up, and hammered on the door of the Terminus Hotel (Railway Hotel) at the Brugg Bahnhof.

No appearance Your Honour.  A taxi driver from across the road at the Bahnhof shouted to go around the back - no luck.

We crossed to the taxi rank and soon enlisted the aid of four drivers - the one with the best English was pushed forward.  Many suggestions followed involving 6 - 10 klm in the dark with lights that had not been charged!!

Finally, Ahmed suggested a restaurant with rooms about 1 klm away - we rang and talked our way into a single room for which they scrounged a mattress and more linen - at 10.30 PM, the charge of 120 Swiss francs suddenly seemed reasonable.

Be it ever so humble..........

Next morning, we cautiously left town, dodging the gaze of these ancient warriors.

A largely uneventful day after yesterday's drama; Michael demonstrates that man does not live on beer alone!

Accommodation sublime - Evelyne, Martin and Tadeo were generous Warmshowers hosts who amazed us with stories of their 15 month cycle tour of central and South America.