The first thing I noticed this morning when I woke up was how cold it was. But at least the second thing I noticed was that the sun was up and it wasn't raining!

Usual procedure - pack up, smash down pacs and croissants and hit the road.

My plan today was to ride down to Lake Neuchatel and ride along its length. I wasn't sure where I was going to camp. My choices were a short day or a long day. Obviously in the end I chose the long option to get an acceptable mileage!

Once at the lake I saw a sign with lots of arrows on it showing various cycle routes. I had a suspicion that this would be something the Swiss were good at and it turned out they certainly are!

The route along the lake was a combination of dedicated paths and quite roads. Not unlike a Sustrans route in the UK. Only here the signs don't suddenly stop and there are arrows and bikes painted on the road all over the place so you can't possibly go wrong!

It made things so much easier just knowing I could rely on the signs. All I had to do was follow them.

When I got to the town of Neuchatel, I stopped at a cafe for lunch. I freaked the staff out a bit by having the audacity to not pick up a tray. I thought I could manage a sandwich and a coffee without one. They then started saying lots of stuff in French. And then again only louder. I knew what they meant, I just didn't see what the problem was. Eventually she just plonked my coffee and baguette on a tray which she could have just done to start with without all the fuss. I guess going trayless was just a bit too radical and hardcore for their Swiss sensibilities.

After eating I started to feel cold, so increased my already quite high layer count.

As I got onto the next phase of my journey, a sign told me that Solothurn was 55km away. So I just followed that.

When Lake Neuchatel finished, there was a bit of river, then another lake. Then after that another river. All the while there were mountains to my left. If they don't suddenly stop (they've been omnipresent for the last 70 miles) I'm going to have to go over them.

It was at this point that I noticed everything was now in German. Up to Neuchatel it was all French, then a brief dual language section, now I am fully sausage side.

It was all very straightforward all afternoon, although it took a long time before I eventually arrived at the campsite.

I checked in, pitched up and had a shower. I must say the showers here are the best campsite showers ever! Proper hot, powerfull things. Just what I needed after a long day.

I snacked on some biscuits and chocolate and was appalled at the cost of what I bought! I don't know that I'll have enough CHF left for dinner! We shall see. I can always pay by card and I should be back in the Euro zone tomorrow. Now I just have to decide what to have...