We slept well last night with the balcony doors wide open ... until the storm broke. Wow, plenty of thunder and lightning, and very, very heavy rain. Come the morning the rain has stopped, the temperature dropped, and cloud covered the skies. We set off after breakfast in pleasant heat (but high humidity) back into town to cross back into Switzerland. Tarmac soon morphed into gravel track through cool woodland as we again followed the Rhine. At about half way we rode into Rhinefelden, another pretty town, ready for a coffee. Being the skinflints we are, we diverted over the bridge to the German side to get a €-priced coffee instead of a CHF-priced wallet-emptier. We also stocked up at a German bakery and bought more GPS batteries before returning to Switzerland. On we rode through building heat and clearing sky until reaching the Roman colonial city (ruins thereof) at Augusta Raurica. We sat on the steps of the amphitheater eating cake as we watched in horror the skies turn from day to night in the direction we were heading. Discretion being the better part of valour, we found seating under cover at the museum and waited for the rain to start, in awe of the thunder all around. We didn't have to wait long. The heavens opened and the temperature plummeted as we kicked back and waited for it to pass. An hour later it backed off to steady light rain so, with full waterproofs donned, off we set. Then it came on heavy again. So heavy it stung through the rain jacket! We rode through flooded sections nearly up to my hubs. OK, so I wouldn't have ridden it if I'd realised it was that deep. Then we reached Muttenz, just outside Basel. All we had to do was cycle across the high street. Only problem was that it was a raging torrent; Fire Service were attending; shopkeepers were sandbagging their shops and those who hadn't were trying to swab out; we even chatted with a chap who explained that he was part of a wedding party who were separated from the venue on the other side of the road! "It's a wedding they'll remember for decades" he said.
We eventually found a section of the road slow and shallow enough to wade across and we were on our way. Again the waterproof cycling sandals were a boon. No need for overshoes. At least the rain and flood waters were warm! Despite all the weather delays, we arrived Basel Youth Hostel at around 4pm. Another excellent refurbished building, basic but superb quality. Mind you, at £102 for a Youth Hostel room you'd expect it! You are right, we are still in Switzerland! For the last time.
45.8 km; 14.3 kph; 3:11 moving time; 199m ascent
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