Day 6 - Sun 15 Jun 14, Zurich to Quarten

June 15, 2014

Forecast: 13 deg C, partly cloudy; Zurich: 13 deg C; Quarten: 21 deg C,

Listed distance: 71km; Actual distance: 80 km; Cumulative distance: 148km Av speed: 19.1 km/hr; Ride Time: 4h47m

Due to the issues we were still having with the iiNet sim cards, we enlisted the help of Wendy’s mum back in Australia and we received an email this morning from mum telling us how to activate international roaming. So, before doing anything else, Wendy fixed the roaming. Then it was time for a well-earned coffee and packing. Breakfast of buttered bread rolls, Camembert cheese, and meat for Wendy and fish for Greg. The leftovers became lunch, which we wrapped in tissue and packed in our handlebar bags. We had another coffee as we figured it would be needed for what we thought was going to be a 74km ride.

We had decided that the Eastern side of the Lake was the better route. From Zurich to Rapperswil we used on-road bike paths, which were perfectly safe but still Wendy was feeling a bit tense. Our morning tea stop was in Rapperswil, which was about 35 km into the ride. From Rapperswil, nearly all the way to Quarten, we were on off-road paths which were sometimes bitumen or concrete, and at other times were hard packed gravel but still easy to ride on .We passed through some quaint Swiss villages and rural areas complete with cows and smelly barns, and encountered a number of road works along the way but NO stop-go people. Fancy that? All they had was a traffic light which everyone obeyed.

We stopped for lunch beside Lake Walansee at Weesen (Veerson) and had our rolls. Before reaching Quarten, we saw a lovely looking place high on the hill and Greg said, "I hope that's not our hotel" to which Wendy replied, "I bet you it is". After finding Quarten, we had some difficulty finding the hotel and after asking for assistance and bring told it was 5-10 mins ride on the bike up the road we wandered why the bloke had a stupid grin in his face? Well, now we know why. Off we started up the hill again only to have to stop not even 200m on and push; even Greg! I'm not sure exactly how long it took, but it was at least 20 mins before we completed the last 1.5km!!!! Talk about having jelly legs, Wendy reckons hers were almost water. However, by the time we had checked in and had a snack, it was all forgotten, and, we were still married! Well, not exactly totally forgotten, but just enough to erase the really bad moments. Our room was on the 9^th floor but the design of the room does not take advantage of the view over the spectacular Lake Walansee.

After unpacking and having a shower, we wanted to get the legs moving again. We did remember enough of the last 40 mins of the ride to know that we shouldn't go for a ride, but maybe a very short walk. So after a tea for Greg and a beer for Wendy in the hotel’s cafeteria , we had a little wander through the grounds, the Church, and the cemetery which were all immaculate.

It was then time to do some housekeeping and communications updating. And then all too soon, it was time for dinner. After riding 80km we were quite ready for some big hearty meal. Information online said that dinner was CHF22, and off we went expecting something really good. Imagine our surprise when all we got was bread, cold meat, cheese, fruit and dessert; for the princely sum of CHF 22 each! They do have a captive clientele as it is a long way to the bottom of the hill without a motor vehicle of some description. Anyway, it was not too bad and with a couple of beers to wash it down, we were done.

Greg hadn't been feeling well these last couple of days and his cough was getting worse. He went to sleep about 8:30pm whilst Wendy read.

I forgot to mention that this hotel is a former Monastery, called Bildungszentrum Neu-Schönstatt. It is still a working Nunnery and the nuns and hired help were very friendly and welcoming.