Hooray! Hooray! We reached Lucerne just after 21.00. 125 miles including the 26 mile ascent of the Gotthard climbing to 7000 feet. Thanks for all your messages of encouragement and your donations. A day of stunning scenery (and two marmots). Holes in tyres jammed gears. And then tears of joy at the summit. The ascent was grinding the descent fast. A ferry over the lake 20 miles short of Lucerne. And then a great greeting from the second week crew at the hotel in Lucerne. Ebrina and Cliff leave us here. Today Switzerland. Tomorrow France. Be great to see you when we enter canterbury cathedral at 16.15 next Saturday. We were not sure we were going to be able to finish this first week. But with some difficulties everyone has made it.

Pleased to report that all have arrived safely in Lucerne. The cyclists have had a tough 112 miles over the Gotthard Pass. We understand the Mckinnons are hhere somewhere but are not slumming it with us this evening. Lucerne simply stunning  but we fear that our entire week’s spending money will disappear tonight. No wild party but just very expensive.

Looking forward to tomorrow but sorry to say farewell to Ebrina, Cliff, Roger and Sue.

Pleased to report that we are all safely en route to Lucerne! One minor hold up when customs became suspicious about the quantity of white powder our good chief executive was carrying. Did agree finally that it was energy drink.

Just waking before cycling. Off for long day climbing. Hone no longer working so no key to tye ick u a enguin or offer you a slice of igeon ie. This may cause roblems. Raining again.