Wednesday June 21st
Today was a brilliant day. I was up bright and early. Sunny and warm at 07.00 didn't bode well for the temperatures later in the day. I chatted to German motor bikers who had arrived after I had gone to bed. They had done a bicycle tour in New Zealand in the past and so were sympathetic and interested. |
| Luxembourg City |
Arlon officiel campsite might be the best site I have ever stayed on. It is quirky but beautifully kept, with lots of thoughtful and artistic touches.
I left at 07.30 on a horrible main road with no bike path but by 08.00 I was in Luxembourg and bowling along in an empty bus lane.
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| Luxembourg Basse |
I reached Luxembourg City by 09.30.
It is on two distinct levels. "Haut ville" which was the main level and "basse ville" which was so low they had installed an elevator that bikes were allowed in. I spent two hours exploring which was fun and another hour "exploring" when I was trying to get out (which wasn't fun)
It is easy to find the way in to city centres but never easy to get out again.
Feeling good, I decided to get off the bike paths and plotted a route east to reach the Moselle at about 13.30.
The sign said Schengen 18 kms so I set off and just over an hour later I crossed the bridge over the Moselle and into Deutchland.
I stopped at the Schengen museum for a beer and a sandwich and told the patron that I had been in three countries. He just shrugged a Gallic shrug as if to say "lots of people do that". When I told him that one of the three was Belgium he shook my hand. "It will be four countries in 3 kms monsieur"3 kms later I bagged my fourth country in one day!
Not bad for an old man.
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| Deutchland |
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| La France! |
Still only 4.30 I pressed on towards Thionville meaning to spend the night there.
However unable to find the site at Thionville which I had been unreliably informed was on the Moselle I had no option but to press on the further 36 kms to Metz.
I arrived as the church bells were striking 19.00
It was a big day - probably more than 120kms but a good day and it wasn't over yet.
Tent up showered and having gulped down 3 litres of water, I set out to explore la fete de la musique in Metz. (I had been out of water since before Thionville) The pistes cyclables are brilliant but there are no houses or shops or fountain to refill at.
Lesson: get water as soon as one of my two bottles is empty.
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| Music Festival |
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| music festival |
I am afraid I joined in rather too well which is why I am writing this at 09.00 before heading for Nancy.
Four countries in one day how can I top that?
21/05/17 Wednesday Metz Municipal
plage Metz €14 3
not enough toilets for site size, restaurant
poor, fantastic location on Moselle, near centre Metz
Well done, Brian. 4 Countries in one day followed by 4 beers in one town sounds like a perfect performance. I like the mix of fluids to balance your hydration. Good that you rewarded your efforts with some good downtime. We celebrate your every day of progress back in Fife. As a pensioner you will be able to say ' I remember when I.......'; we like the here and now of your blog but it will certainly assist your own memory bank on an outstanding piece of personal endeavour. Keep them wheels rolling and enjoy your downtime after each day of progress towards your ultimate goal. Just remember - every day is a success in our eyes
ReplyDeleteI should borrow your summation for the blog. Perhaps the four beers may have contributed to day 13 being unlucky?
ReplyDeleteBrian