Basel, Switzerland

Rode down from Pforzheim to Basel. Lovely ride through the Black Forest. Good weather. So scenic. There were areas where it seemed like the trees were the whole universe.

But a long day's riding - maybe six to eight hours on the bike. The last few miles always seem to drag. Spent the ride listening to Book 3 of the 3 Body Problem.

Checked into Basel Backpackers hostel. Was in a mixed dorm where I met Daisy from Oxford who was doing a PhD at UCL in London on 16/17th Century music and was a cellist and player of the Viola da gamba who did her undergraduate degree at Merton College Oxford. It's been a while since I've met a fellow Brit so it was very nice to do so. She's interrailing and heading towards Italy. Was exhausted after the long ride so went to get some pasta and pesto and after dinner had an early night. Unfortunately in the 6 bed dorm we had a very loud snorer so put earphones in and tried to get the sleep that way. I think the snoring seemed to subside about 2am so I think I got some sleep after that.

The following morning saw Daisy and a Chinese girl called Doudou (pronounced Dodo) who was also in the same dorm. Doudou is Chinese and travelling ultimately to Japan and we have said we must meet up there. She is a film studies graduate from - I think - Chicago Uni.

Spent the day on foot just wandering around and exploring Basel. It is a very pretty city and very nice to walk around. Today was May 1 and is a holiday here it being Mayday. Saw the most mop-like dog I've probably ever seen. Video attached.Read more