Day 11? I think. All the days are merging in to one: Rothenburg to Darmstadt.

107 miles. Early start again. Up at 5, on the road by 6. I stayed at a Chinese restaurant last night, which was OK, but not as good as the majority of restaurants at home. Odd "hotel". Gave you cups, but no coffee or kettle. Did think about firing up my Trangia, but best not to.

Was on the way downstairs and there was a German lady coming upstairs with her bike over her shoulder, as had I. Nowhere to leave the bike outside, so it came into the room with me. We spoke a little in my pigdin German. Turns out she'd just ridden 160km from near Darmstadt to Rothenburg, the opposite direction of my ride today. 

Cold again this morning. Had all my cycling kit on, but soon warmed up climbing the wall of a hill out of Rothenburg.

Stopped in Niederstetten in a supermarket for breakfast. Long drop in to town and I was shivering with cold as I walked in. Sat a while to warm up.

First part of today was very uppy-downy, although seemed more up than down. Weary legs meant that as soon as I hit a hill I was clunking down through the gears 😔 

Fortunately I then rode down the valley of the river Main, which cheered me up and good progress was made. I even stopped for lunch with real food, which made a change. 

I had to leave the Main at Eisenbach and head west, otherwise I'd have ended up in Frankfurt.

That meant more hills and the last big one was a struggle. 

20km from Darmstadt I pulled in to a petrol station to grab a drink and a German guy on a bike struck up a conversation with me. Let's just say he was a "character"... He offered to guide me in to Darmstadt as he wanted to chat about my trip. I was a bit apprehensive, but you have to put your trust in people sometimes, don't you? Anyway, it worked out OK, because he knew that some of the cycle paths were closed, plus I got a guided tour of the university campus and the part of Darmstadt that wasn't destroyed in the war.

Checked in to a hotel tonight and washed my clothes in the shower. Basically I just walk in to the shower fully clothed and do a little dance on them while having my shower. 

Feeling pretty crispy again today. Yes, I did use suncream Jill, but while it stays on arms and legs, it washes off my face with perspiration. 

Never mind, I'm sure the weather will change soon and I'll be wetter than an otter's pocket.

Justgiving.com/page/stellasjourney 

Blog.goingtothedogs.co.uk 

Amicii Dog Rescue and Rehabilitation UK 

Amicii Dog Rescue Romania 

#tractivegps