And so to France - Saturday 9 June

We enjoy our last German breakfast overlooking the Rhine before a leisurely start. Cloudy but at least dry. We decide to take the northern route to Basel, although this is not signed as the official EV6 route. After yesterday's debacle I have lost faith in chief navigator and flatly refuse to follow any route that might have Black Forest in the name. I am intent on keeping the Rhine in my sights (how can you get lost following a massive river?) and we have to retrace our steps and cross some bridges several times before I am completely satisfied that we are on the correct route. Simon's map does not appear to be to scale and is pretty useless (which is just as well as he manages to drop it en route and is unable to find it again). He is now staring at a blank space on his map holder and is very much our of his comfort zone. I am happily pedalling with the river on my left and France in my sights. The weather improves and there is even some sunshine. We reach Basel, at first chic and attractive, then industrial, crossing through Switzerland, Germany and finally into France - our 10th country. Back on the EV6 route and new map in hand Simon is smiling again and feeling back in charge. The signage is, I have to admit, poor, so I am grateful. We leave the Rhine and follow the Canal du Rhone au Rhin: pleasant smooth track and blue waters, to Mulhouse. Now in Alsace, we arrive just before 6pm and find a room in a rather shabby but cheap French Hotel. On the top floor, once again. We have an Alsation supper: Gewürztraminer and meat. (Laufenburg to Mulhouse, FRANCE - 61 miles)