Day 12 Germany. 30/09/2010 Remagen–Bad Breisig–Andernach– Urmitz – Wollersheim-Koblenz– Lahnstein. 40.2miles/65.17km.4hr38min ride time. Av 8.7mph.

We left Remagen on a grey but still dry day and continued our journey south. Considering we had both slept well, we both appeared to be suffering from heavy legs. The rain that then started didn't help!

Cycling in the rain becomes just that, cycling. It is very hard to be interested in your surroundings when you are continually getting wetter. Especially when the sky is so grey you cant see it letting up. Which it didn't!

We trudged our way along through Andernach, Urmitz and then encountered the dreaded road works which involved a long unmarked detour. As we found the bridge that would cross the river Mosel into Koblenz, Debbie's knee gave up and it was with some amount of pain that she limped her way into the city.

We patched her up as best we could and gave up on the idea of looking at Koblenz. Rather helpfully they have dug up the whole waterside area so navigation was tricky. Nevertheless we managed to eventually get on the bridge that crossed the Rhein and headed towards Lahnstein. What we did not expect on a marked cycle route was a cobbled slope that ended in a set of steep stone steps, pointed directly at the Rhein. Our phrase book does not cover 'Help, my bicycle is in the Rhein!'. One bike at a time, with both of us holding on tight we managed to bump them down the steps. Everyday is an adventure!

Riding into Lahnstein we found a sign for camping that helpfully pointed in two directions! Following one of the directions we ended up some way out of town but did eventually find a camp-site ran by a very friendly German guy, who thought we were mad to stay in a tent on such a horrible day. The rain eventually eased and a few beers in the bar helped wash the rain caused blues away.

Blue skies or at least better weather is promised tomorrow, so fingers crossed it will be nice for Debbie's birthday. Plus she was given a small bottle of wine by the camp-site owner to celebrate!