9 July 2025 (cold start, sunny and warm) 68km

When we first pulled into that campground last night, it seemed so quiet we were worried they were closed. We were so grateful to have somewhere to stay we didn't really take in our surroundings, but that clock tower was so loud, I seriously wondered if even I could sleep through it. 

Well it turns out I could, as we went to bed at 9.30pm and I noticed when we woke up at 5.30am that all was very quiet. Pete said they turned the clock tower chimes off at 10pm. We wondered when they would start again. At 6am we got our answer. It was so loud in the still morning air, I'm sure if we'd still been asleep, that would have woken us for sure.

The noisy youngsters were also called to bed at 9pm last night and we didn't hear another peep out of them and the donkeys took the hint and shut up as well.

So unbelievably, we had probably the best night's sleep yet.

We had a coffee and some nuts while we waited for it to warm up a bit as it was only 7C. Packed up and on the road at 7.40am.

Mapy had us following the river track but we opted for the main road so at least we'd have some sunshine. It would have been freezing in the forest along the river. 

The main road was busy though so after a few kms, we opted for the country roads that Mapy now suggested.

This was beautiful riding. Lovely road surfaces, green, pristine countryside, flower boxes on the houses and peace and quiet. All that and pretty flat as well. Any hills had great gradients and were a pleasure to cycle and no pain in Pete's knee.

After about 20km we rejoined the main road which was not that busy now and absolutely bombed along it. We were alongside the railway so perfect gradients for cycling and in no time we were 30km down and in Huttwil, where I'd earmarked a Co-op for our breakfast shop. I'd also scouted a toilet by a little park which we managed to locate easily, but unfortunately the toilet was locked. Why, was a mystery to us as the explanation was written in German.

Had a lovely breakfast at the kids park on a picnic table in the sunshine.

More storks in a field. They are such large impressive birds.

On with the next leg which was more delightful riding through the countryside, weaving in and out of villages and mostly on pristine side roads with the odd few hundred meters of gravel track thrown in.

It was also remarkably flat or only undulating so a very enjoyable ride.

So after a beautiful day's cycling in perfect weather (thank God you all got your prayer roster sorted at last. I mean it's only taken five weeks but hey, you got there in the end!), we arrived in Sursee about 1.30pm.

This meant the bulk of our cycling was done (57km) and we only had 11km left to saunter our way to Ernst and Margrit’s house.

First on the agenda was finding an unlocked toilet, which Mapy again helped us out with. It happened to be in a little park area by a massive new shopping centre. So a short walk across the road led us to a supermarket where we bought a tuna salad, avocado and salmon. We took our purchases back across to the little park and as it was currently cloudy with a cool breeze, we didn't worry about shade.

Salad was delicious but as we were preparing the coffee, the sun came out in full force so we moved tables to sit in the shade.

Lunchtime!

Visited the bank but with 500 Swiss francs costing us $100 more than the last bank we used a week ago, we tried six more banks before giving up as they all quoted the same rate. We would just have to pay it. But when it came to actually converting, it ended up being only $50 more.

Back on the bikes now for the final push to Gunzwil. We started with a delightful ride through the old town of Sursee and then hit the country….and the hill. It was a doozy and lasted forever, well at least 2kms anyway. And by now it was stinking hot as well.

Next time you give us friends to go visit Jimmy, can you make sure they live by a lake? Not up the top of the biggest hill in the Canton?!

That last 11km seemed to take forever and we finally arrived at Ernst and Margrit's at 4.30pm. Fortunately they gave us such a lovely warm welcome, the struggle to get there was soon forgotten.

Soon we were showered, the washing was on, we'd had a cold drink and we were on our way round to their daughter's place for dinner.

We met Lisbeth and Roland and their two adorable children and enjoyed a beautiful home cooked meal. What a treat!!

Delicious coffee and Swiss chocolate followed and the children gave us a tour of the house and showed us some of their gymnastics tricks.

Pete's knee last night. Still looked the same tonight, but didn't feel any worse.

Margrit had laid out all sorts of bandages and an inflammation patch which Pete popped on his knee during the evening with a compression bandage over top and it did make it feel better.

So he went to bed still wearing them at 9.30pm as we have a big day lined up tomorrow.