10 - 16 September 2017

Yes, believe it or not, but I'm on my way again and that makes me very happy.

After breakfast I packed the very last things and said goodbye at TFTD with a lot of stroopwafels to leave behind. Then I put everything on my bike, gave a lot of hugs and left a very beautiful place, where I had lots of adventures, challenges and new friends. Hopefully I will meet them again. At least I will see Naomi in Germany, because she has a little box with all the stuff I got here and didn't want to destroy in the bags of my bike. And then: on my way! It felt very strange and wiggly, but when I was on the other side of Kandersteg, it was oké. I cycled a lot downhill, out of the valley and through some smaller hills to my first stop at Jonas' place in Meiringen. We talked a bit and I went early to bed.

The next day was definitely one of the more difficult days. It started very nice with some sun and of course, the hills started. And never stopped. Every time I thought I was at the highest point, but it seemed to be the wall of a mountain lake. At a certain point I was even so high, that I ended up in the clouds. It became tougher and tougher and I walked some bits. It also became colder and I couldn't even see more than 5 meters in front of me. Very tired I reached the top, but there was no nice view. Some snow instead. But downhill was so much better. Very soon I was out of the clouds and raced down to the camping in Mörel-Filet. I got a nice plate of rösti and met Nico, Daniela and Lisa-Marie. Surprisingly, Hans and Barbara were there too and we talked a lot and had a good time together. Tired I fell asleep in my tent.

On Tuesday I had a restday, what I think I deserved after yesterday. I slept in until half past ten and had breakfast with Hans and Barbara. The rest of the day was very relaxed, I searched for some hosts, read my book and had some nice conversations.

The morning of Wednesday was very relaxed. I packed everything back up, had a cup of cappuccino, said goodbye to Nico, Daniela and Lisa-Marie, put everything on/insidd the camper and Hans and Barbara brought me to the top of the Simplonpass. That was so much better than cycling! We drank tea until the rain stopped, made some pictures and I also said goodbye to them. And then: roetsj! All the way down to Domodossola. Very fast and a very nice road. At Paola's place we had short conversations, because she had to work and I chilled a bit in my bedroom.

The next day it was raining a bit and I felt a bit sad. But less than before! The view to the lake of Stresa was nice, but probably nicer if the sun was there. The last bit I cycled through the countryside, what was nice and quiet. At Luca's place I pitched my tent, had a shower and drank tea with them. Nice!

On Friday Luca had offered to show me a cyclepath along a canal. That sounds nice, but with his friend he was cycling in front of me, talking in Italian and forgetting that I also have to carry some luggage. But I stayed polite. When I was really hungry I said goodbye to them and rested a bit on a bench. Very calm again. I listened to the birds and the water and continued the cyclepath, which was actually nice, and so was the weather. In Pavia I went to Alberica, but she had to work until late and I waited. But later we went to a pizzeria for dinner and had nice conversations.

Saturday was another restday, because I had shifted some places, but my butt appreciated it. I did some laundry, searched for what I wanted to visit and went on my way. I walked along the centre with very nice buildings and small streets. The rest of the afternoon I relaxed in the apartment and for dinner we went to the same restaurant as yesterday, but thus time I ate a nice pasta with salmon. Delicious!