Because we were staying on the Stellplatz in Bad Sackingen we qualified for a visitors card. This gives benefits such as unlimited free bus and train travel throughout the whole of the Black Forest Area. Yes, you read that correctly. Our intended visit to the thermal spa on Friday didn't go ahead as something was lost in translation and our visitors card entitled us to 1 Euro off the admission price, which wasn't worth it. Anyway, free bus and train. So, we arranged to meet Mike's brother Carl in Basel. Not seen him for 5 years so there was lots of catching up to do. As always, its great to have a local to show you round and it was a glorious sunny day. Basel had a nice atmosphere and we could see why Carl has chosen to live there. The Rhine cuts through the city and as you can see in the pictures below its very wide, fast flowing and looks as though there are some tricky currents. I had to do a double take when I saw people swimming. They really were. I thought I was daring when I took a dip in Oppenau. You can also buy a waterproof bag for you belongings, wrap them and stash them inside. It also serves as a buoyancy aid. Voila. I didn't go in. May have been tempted on a bet but I'm still amazed its permitted. When we saw the waterskier going up river in the afternoon it just seemed par for the course.
 Something in the water over there |  Are they people Carl? |  Swimming down the Rhine, amazing |  Now a waterskier |
There is a huge steep hill above the town of Bad Sackingen where the mountain biking championships took place at the weekend. We went and had a look on Sunday. As it had rained on Saturday night the course was pretty treacherous for the women's event in the morning but it dried out over the course of the day.
The atmosphere was great. Exhilarating not only to see a world class competition but also listening to the excited commentator. The women's Olympic Gold medal holder, from the Black Forest was competing, last event before London. 'Sabine Spitz, Deutsche meister, BAD SACKINGEN!!!!!' is still ringing in my ears. I managed to get a picture, just as she was spitting.
We left Bad Sackingen on Monday morning, having really enjoyed our long weekend there. Driving in an easterly direction, we had great views of Lake Constance on another hot and sunny day.
At about 3.00pm we found a stellplatz in Wolfegg. Unpacked and were immediately overcome by great big biting, horse fly type insects. Even though we'd just got settled, we certainly didn't want to hang around with that lot, so drove on to Kisslegg, 9km further on. We're right next to a lovely natural lake, with beach. You can swim in the lake and there are also two chlorine swimming pools here as well. The Germans certainly know how to lay on good facilities.
 I think this is the Rathaus. |  Mike and Carl Kingston |
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