8 July 2025 (cloudy, sunny spells, rain, cold) 49km

So after having finished writing last night, I noticed that my left knee was tight. Not only was it tight, but it had blown up and bugger me, the ganglion cyst which I had aspirated back in January, is back with a vengeance.

Whereas previously it didn't cause me any pain, now it is letting me know.

Interestingly, on the bike it's not an issue, at present, but walking or standing, it's a problem.

Not exactly where I would have chosen for something like this to happen. Firstly, because of the terrain we have to overcome and secondly, the cost of having it looked at would be astronomical. A bit like everything else connected with this country.

To end that subject, I am now monitoring the knee in the hope it gets no worse.

Ju here: interestingly, Pete may have noticed his knee just before bed, but didn't say anything to me until 1.30am, when he announced , “We have a big problem”. Torn between not wanting to wake up too much and get my brain engaged, but also showing the appropriate amount of spousal concern, I pointed out there was nothing we could do about it, so may as well go to sleep and consider our options in the morning. Apparently that was not quite enough spousal concern and we needed to talk about it more. Once Pete had unloaded his burden, I lay there awake thinking of different solutions if he couldn't ride for a few days or weeks or months. As I lay thinking, I heard him start snoring. A problem shared is a problem solved for Pete it seems! Back to Pete.

Also during the night, but much later on, the homeless woman was talking on her phone at 11.30pm. Not inside, but outside.

I'm sure this is a factor in why these people are homeless.

They are also clueless.

No courtesy. (I'd greeted her earlier in the afternoon with a jovial guten tag) Not a frigging flinch or acknowledgement.

No manners (as per greeting).

No respect for others (phone outside 11.30pm).

Woken numerous times last night, (as per above).

The rain was throwing it down, so full credit to "Big Agnes".

We were warm and dry and we hope to have the same scenario tonight, as the rain falls.

Took off at 8.30am this morning, hoping my knee was going to be ok. It felt better riding so on we went on the 16km to Bern. We went for a look around the "Old Town". Very nice and different in its architecture too.

Prior to our sightseeing, we grabbed some food and had breakfast in one of Bern's "lesser visited places".

It was a footy pitch, skateboard ramp, basketball court and hangout for local drug users (as per needle disposal bins).

Anyway, no dregs around when we were eating, (except us!), but it was starting to get very cold. 

Took off into town and as we rode I spied a gluten free patisserie.

Well, poor Ju has been struggling with pastries, so it was nice for her to get something she can enjoy and not pay a hefty price, (with her digestive system anyway!).

Bern mid morning was crowded with tourists as we pushed or rode our bikes through the masses.

Lots of cobbled streets (not ideal for bikes), but adding to the atmosphere.

You'll notice that despite the sunny skies, the raincoat is still on, just for warmth!

After numerous photo opportunities we headed out of town for Boll.

I dived into a supermarket to get some lunch as Julia had her gluten free meal to look forward to.

Decided to stay on the main road as Mapy was sending us uphill and down dale, (more uphill actually) in an effort to keep us on smaller roads.

The road was busier than we would have liked, but had a great surface so we were glad we took it.

Rode fifteen kms through a beautiful farming valley with lovely scenery, before turning off for Bergdorf, where our campsite was located.

Old castle on the hill, overlooking our campground, which we rode into, looking forward to pitching our tent, before the threatening rain finally arrived. 

Hold up there though.....This was another one of those "advertise you're a campsite, when you're not open to the public" sites.

Packed full of permanent caravans and vans, there was room for a small tent, or tents, but they wouldn't let us stay. Nice people, but apparently, "hands were tied". 

That threw a spanner in the works.

It was looking like rain and the temperature was falling.

There was another site down river, back the way we'd come.

On the way along the path we got talking to a Swiss guy called Bernie, who had visited NZ on three occasions.

He was in Switzerland to look after his ailing mother and father, but usually lives in Thailand (love you long time) with his partner.

Cycled on towards the camp in Oberburg, but as we came off the river trail, we spied a footy pitch, with a marquee set up and some benches inside.

Perfect for eating lunch, as

by now it was 2pm.

Enjoyed a nice lunch, but boy it had turned cold. Ju has her thermal pants, woolly socks and waterproof pants on her lower half and five layers on her top half. Had another hot coffee, then cycled on to the camp. 

Lovely little setting for the tent. Beautiful Swiss house out the back, cute little donkeys in the field.

Ooh and look at that perfectly Swiss clock tower just there! Perfect!

Any bets as to what keeps Pete awake tonight? Those cute donkeys or that lovely clock tower?

Found a lovely site, run by a nice man, who showed us some pitching options and we set up.

The big mistake was that somehow we failed to notice the church virtually standing over our tent.

What we did notice, very clearly were the chimes, on the hour, half hour and quarter hour.

Julia said to me, “Just put some ear plugs in".

I'd have to have my ears amputated and even then, the vibration from those bloody chimes would still keep me awake.

But, we had no other options for 50kms.

The camp was CHF 32, plus he wanted CHF3 each for showers.

$12 dollars for two showers for a few minutes.

Not in a million years. Lucky we took it easy today and with being so cold, didn't even break a sweat.

To access wifi, you have to be sitting in his freezer with your phone pointing to Mecca.

Bonus though, they did have this adorable 12 week old Bernese pup.

We have a 67km ride tomorrow on probably about five minutes sleep and a knee getting bigger by the minute.

At 6.45pm, we could well believe the temperature tonight is going to plummet to 7C, as forecast.

Three German kids have been kicking a ball around.

Not by their own caravan, but right outside our tent.

Balls hit it twice, and twice they've been told.

Unfortunate though that one of them is called Adolf.....?#*

Did the parents miss out on that history lesson…? Or maybe they knew he was a little sh.. from the start!