1300hrs. Monday 1 September
We're in Switzerland!  Just having a celebration steak at head of the Lac de Joux having crossed from Mouthe in France over the Col de Something or other at 1260metres!  Lovely descent from there to this beautiful lake. From here we have another Col to conquer then it should be downhill all the way to Lausanne.
One of the nice things about cycling in France and Switzerland is the fact that distances are in Km so that when it says 10 to go you've only got about 6 miles, and you seem to get there more quickly! Very encouraging!

Tuesday 1230 at Vevey on Lake Geneva

Some catching up to do here as unfortunately the Youth Hostel in Lausanne doesn't have an internet connection which worked with my phone. You will have therefore gathered already that we made it to Lausanne. In fact after a big lunch we had a brilliant afternoon cycling. The climb was quite steep but not that long, after which we had several miles of lovely downhill with views down towards Lake Geneva and Lausanne in glorious sunshine. It gradually warned up, having been seriously chilly in the hills. When mainly freewheeling I averaged 23mph for more than 5 miles and when I decided to go for it reached 42mph!  After a bit of getting lost we found the large modern Youth Hostel to find the sign saying 'Fully Booked'. Oh heck! We were 24 hours early of course but the staff could not have been more helpful and fitted two of us in one dormitory and one in another. Tomorrow (ie today now) we will have an en suite room for just the three of us. We ate at the hostel then had an early night. The less said about the night the better as the other occupants came in and out, crashing around. Sleep was somewhat intermittent shall we say! But hey - we were lucky to get in and it was a very good decision to combine the last two days and get to Lausanne early. Mileage to here is 663.
I say it was a good decision also because it is a glorious day today and after a walk along the lake with Kev and Paul I found I was in time to take a trip on one of the fleet of old paddle steamers (well this one is now diesel) which ply the Lake. K&P decided to stay in Lausanne to sample the town while I headed off.
The cruise was simply stunning. The mountain back cloth and sparkling water on the Lake, plus a 107 year old paddle steamer was a magical combination and I loved it!  I have two hours in Vevey then return on another paddler, this time steam powered (La Suisse only 104 years old) back to Lausanne. What a bonus!  I am meeting the boys back on town at about 1530hrs.
Our last day cycling tomorrow will be the hardest in climbing terms with a huge climb from Morzine.  We have all day for it though and start with a nice ferry crossing to Evian. Should be fun if the weather is kind again.
I now have a cyclists tan with brown arms to above the elbow and white hands (from wearing gloves) and brown legs from mid calf downwards and white feet!  Maybe too much information but some said they wanted a picture painted!
Anyway you will gather all is well and plans have worked out really well. I won't be able to add to this tonight but will do so when I next get a chance. I will post some photos on my Facebook page. Hope they make you jealous!  Thanks for reading. Au revoir!