Stressbourg

It's a lovely city with its canals and ancient centre but things are just not working in its favour, at least not in my mind. After the stresses and anxiety of the previous night shared with my cuddly German friend the day did not improve.

The weather can't be helped but pouring rain does dampen the spirits. Then having to change youth hostels because my current one’s fully book. But the big worry was Bike, grating like a rusty pepper grinder due to grit from the rain-sodden path coating every mechanical part.

Bike is like a cowboy's horse, the one that always gets fed first. For if he goes wrong then I am stranded. Hopefully, some tender loving care has done the job and so eased both out stress levels.