When it rains in Switzerland it certainly rains! This has been non-stop for 48 hours, but it does seem to have dried up now, as I sit here in this smart hotel in Zurich. Amazing that they let us in – given that we arrived wet and covered in dirt – some from the wet road and more from mending a puncture in the rain. But we were given a friendly reception and were even told we could take the bikes up to our room!

Last night in Lucerne was the start of the International Blues Festival and there was a party atmosphere – despite the weather. The town is in a delightful setting on the edge of the lake with mountains all around. The famous medieval wooden covered bridge seemed to be the star attraction – despite the original having burnt down in 1993.

We spent a pleasant evening looking round the old town and went to sleep with the sound of live blues reverberating through the streets.

Today has been a straightforward enough 35 mile ride through to Zurich – though quite hard work in the coldish rain. There were what would have been great views of Lake Lucerne, but the low cloud blotted most of it out.

It was amazing then that there were still planes flying for the air show that we had been told about yesterday. A huge jumbo jet, hopefully without passengers, was pulling the aviation equivalent of handbrake turns over our head in a showing off sort of a way.

We stayed cheerful – even when having to mend the aforementioned rear puncture – and the rain eased off on the final climb over the ridge to Zurich. So here we are – nearly at the end of Switzerland and with a day off the bike tomorrow to enjoy Zurich.

Helen’s track of the day: Mr Carlos Santana, Smooth, because he is on another world tour and arrives in this area in September. I hope he has packed his brolly. And because I needed something loud to keep me going on a day when the effort felt considerable. But over 600 miles now done!