We didn’t wake until 8 this morning – after 11 hours solid sleep. It could have been something to do with the 49 miles yesterday in cool and sometimes rainy weather. But the accommodation and food last night were excellent and this morning we were refreshed. First stop was Munderkingen – a small town on the Danube with a sense of humour, as evidenced by the giant plastic white storks that were on every corner.

We cycled on to Ehingen, where we took an alternative route up a side valley and over a low pass to join the river Blau. (Helen threatened to kill me if it turned out to be anything other than ‘the lowest pass in the known universe’ – as advertised by me. Luckily it was – and I survived). The reason for the diversion was that the Blau is one of those rivers that emerge, fully formed, from the bottom of a limestone cliff. In this case it was known as the Blautopf – the Blue Pool – and it was a lovely, tranquil place to stop for a drink.

Cave divers have explored the river underground for about 4 miles, and there is a parallel, dry system of cave passages too. For those who prefer their entertainment to be less challenging there was a large teddy bear on the wall, blowing bubbles.

Another 10 miles or so down the winding Blau valley brought us to Ulm, and the end of another leg of the trip. Entering large conurbations by bike can be tricky. But the bike route into Ulm was beautiful and landed us right next to the Minster and our hotel. Oddly it reminded me of the Taff Trail in/out of Cardiff (though that lands you beside the Arms Park, which isn’t quite the same). We’ll have a rest day here tomorrow.

Helen’s track of the day: Springsteen, Born To Run, playing at our lunch stop today with an American woman as proprietor of a very retro pub. Not my favourite Springsteen song but this is not a favourites list, just what comes up during the trip.