tbc...
209m
209m
Thursday, 21 July 2016
Tuesday, 19 July 2016
Saturday, 16 July 2016
Sunday, 23 August 2015
Saturday, 22 August 2015
Friday, 21 August 2015
Day 7 - Haguenau to Thionville
The German girl in the next pitch (actually, there's one empty place between us and the pitches are so big you'd have to shout to make conversion) started the ball rolling with some stretches this morning. I thought I'd show her how it's done but she then progressed onto some handstands and other ninja acrobatics so I felt a bit self conscious pulling out my yoga mat. I still did a mighty fine swan though and Louby's dirty dog, as always, was a magnificent distraction.
I took a short ride to the artisan bakery for croissants then enjoyed a steaming hot shower while Louby made the most of the sun and the hammock.
We bid farewell to the friendly chap who runs the place and, after a short ride around Haguenau to get a feel for the place (looks nice, further investigation needed on foot, Friday appears to be market day), we hit the open road.
We needed to head west. According to my failing memory and the Michelin maps, there's nothing of any real interest until we're half way to Sarre-Union. So we avoided the narrow roads and stuck to the fast stuff before peeling off onto forest roads. We explored some unknown territory and found some real gems. Imagine riding Dalby forest drive at silly speeds with no other traffic and you'll get the idea. Some towns were begging for a repeat visit. We had a fine choice of busy little restaurants in Petite-Pierre, but our appetites weren't quite ready for a menu de jour.
We stumbled across a beautiful municipal campsite at Hinsbourg. So beautiful that we turned around and called in to pick up some information. Despite the sign saying otherwise, the reception cabin wasn't open but we marked it on the map for future reference. The site is in the middle of the forest, elevated with perfect views all around. It was quiet so the few tents that were pitched had stacks of space. It looked like a perfect haven.
We're rode into Sarre-Union and parked up by the goat fountain (no, we couldn't work out the significance either). There's a bar next to the fountain with a terrace where we enjoyed a short breather and a drink. Thionville is about 90 minutes away if we avoided motorway but we decided to take the fast route, arrive early and enjoy some afternoon sun. According to satnav, two sections of peage (€4.20) should have saved us 25 minutes, but a broken toll both easily lost us half of that.
But we arrived at 3.45pm (a new record I do believe) to a warm welcome, clear blue skies and 30 degree sunshine.
We pitched, we showered and then we walked through the park into town. We grabbed a quick beer in the square before hunting out somewhere to eat, which was no easy task. Kebab is the food of choice around here and if you fancy it, there's plenty of fast food places to satisfy your needs. We fancied something more civilised. After much walking we stumbled into a courtyard containing several options. They all offered a similar choice of steak or pizza or salad or burger. We went for the latter two options and they were fine. It felt like a huge effort to find some relatively simple food, but we left feeling content and retired back to base for one final night under canvas.
I took a short ride to the artisan bakery for croissants then enjoyed a steaming hot shower while Louby made the most of the sun and the hammock.
We bid farewell to the friendly chap who runs the place and, after a short ride around Haguenau to get a feel for the place (looks nice, further investigation needed on foot, Friday appears to be market day), we hit the open road.
We needed to head west. According to my failing memory and the Michelin maps, there's nothing of any real interest until we're half way to Sarre-Union. So we avoided the narrow roads and stuck to the fast stuff before peeling off onto forest roads. We explored some unknown territory and found some real gems. Imagine riding Dalby forest drive at silly speeds with no other traffic and you'll get the idea. Some towns were begging for a repeat visit. We had a fine choice of busy little restaurants in Petite-Pierre, but our appetites weren't quite ready for a menu de jour.
We stumbled across a beautiful municipal campsite at Hinsbourg. So beautiful that we turned around and called in to pick up some information. Despite the sign saying otherwise, the reception cabin wasn't open but we marked it on the map for future reference. The site is in the middle of the forest, elevated with perfect views all around. It was quiet so the few tents that were pitched had stacks of space. It looked like a perfect haven.
We're rode into Sarre-Union and parked up by the goat fountain (no, we couldn't work out the significance either). There's a bar next to the fountain with a terrace where we enjoyed a short breather and a drink. Thionville is about 90 minutes away if we avoided motorway but we decided to take the fast route, arrive early and enjoy some afternoon sun. According to satnav, two sections of peage (€4.20) should have saved us 25 minutes, but a broken toll both easily lost us half of that.
But we arrived at 3.45pm (a new record I do believe) to a warm welcome, clear blue skies and 30 degree sunshine.
We pitched, we showered and then we walked through the park into town. We grabbed a quick beer in the square before hunting out somewhere to eat, which was no easy task. Kebab is the food of choice around here and if you fancy it, there's plenty of fast food places to satisfy your needs. We fancied something more civilised. After much walking we stumbled into a courtyard containing several options. They all offered a similar choice of steak or pizza or salad or burger. We went for the latter two options and they were fine. It felt like a huge effort to find some relatively simple food, but we left feeling content and retired back to base for one final night under canvas.
Day 6 - The Black Forest to Haguenau
What a glorious morning - we finally have sunshine! There was mist on the lake and in the trees first thing this morning. It was beautiful, but thankfully it was also lifting as the sun broke through. The washing and the tent would finally dry and we'd catch some rays.
I rode out to the bakery for croissants, milking it as a selfless task but secretly the short ride on these roads is a completely selfish wake up call. I left Louby sprawled out in the sun. When I returned, I think she may have turned over but otherwise there was very little movement. And who can blame the girl? She deserves a little rest.
Breakfast, yoga in the sun, steaming hot showers, sunbathe, more tea, settle up (€25), black forest highroad. Today is going to be a good day! We actually considered staying another night but the forecast suggested rain in the afternoon and a maximum of 17 degrees. It lied. We soaked up the sun until 12:30 and then left in perfect conditions and 25 degree heat.
I've said all that needs saying about the B500 in previous tours, so I won't bore you. But it's amazing. The bike tyres are finally getting a chance to peel and bobble around the edges.
We stopped at Mummelsee for a final fill of black forest fayre. Currywurst and BFG. And a cheeky beer for Loobs.
We rode towards Baden Baden to enjoy the last little bit of the B500 then did a U-turn and headed over to Bhul to catch the Rheinmunster ferry over the border into France.
A quick break to unfold the map and have a wee (I'm not paying the woman with the dish at Mummelsee when there's hedges and trees everywhere).
Haguenau is the first town over the border. It looks far enough away from the Rheine to avoid mosquitos but close enough to be camping by 6pm. A municipal popped up on satnat so we decided to poke our noses in. It was in the right direction for home so if it looked ropey then we could keep moving and lose very little time.
It was just right. Probably slightly too far to walk into town but it's a quiet little site with huge pitches, soft ground and a lovely dog (of unknown origin) called Cherie. We had free choice of pitches so we picked one that would give us some evening sun on our backs, some morning sun on our faces and a couple of trees closer enough together to take a hammock.
I rode to Leclerc for provisions (a 3 minute ride, unless you take a wrong turn and accidentally join the autoroute, which I very nearly did) while Louby made camp.
Merguez sausages for tea with fresh gnocchi and pesto and, finally, some fresh salad. The sausages were disappointing for merguez but fine otherwise. Everything else was lovely. Including the €2 euro bottle of wine we picked up in the black forest, although we'd already downed the decent (€4.50) bottle before opening it so our senses may have been numbed slightly.
I like it here. The contrast to the campsite at Maggiore is huge. At €7.50 it's a steal. But it's also peaceful and friendly. And any site that's hammock friendly is an instant win.
I rode out to the bakery for croissants, milking it as a selfless task but secretly the short ride on these roads is a completely selfish wake up call. I left Louby sprawled out in the sun. When I returned, I think she may have turned over but otherwise there was very little movement. And who can blame the girl? She deserves a little rest.
Breakfast, yoga in the sun, steaming hot showers, sunbathe, more tea, settle up (€25), black forest highroad. Today is going to be a good day! We actually considered staying another night but the forecast suggested rain in the afternoon and a maximum of 17 degrees. It lied. We soaked up the sun until 12:30 and then left in perfect conditions and 25 degree heat.
I've said all that needs saying about the B500 in previous tours, so I won't bore you. But it's amazing. The bike tyres are finally getting a chance to peel and bobble around the edges.
We stopped at Mummelsee for a final fill of black forest fayre. Currywurst and BFG. And a cheeky beer for Loobs.
We rode towards Baden Baden to enjoy the last little bit of the B500 then did a U-turn and headed over to Bhul to catch the Rheinmunster ferry over the border into France.
A quick break to unfold the map and have a wee (I'm not paying the woman with the dish at Mummelsee when there's hedges and trees everywhere).
Haguenau is the first town over the border. It looks far enough away from the Rheine to avoid mosquitos but close enough to be camping by 6pm. A municipal popped up on satnat so we decided to poke our noses in. It was in the right direction for home so if it looked ropey then we could keep moving and lose very little time.
It was just right. Probably slightly too far to walk into town but it's a quiet little site with huge pitches, soft ground and a lovely dog (of unknown origin) called Cherie. We had free choice of pitches so we picked one that would give us some evening sun on our backs, some morning sun on our faces and a couple of trees closer enough together to take a hammock.
I rode to Leclerc for provisions (a 3 minute ride, unless you take a wrong turn and accidentally join the autoroute, which I very nearly did) while Louby made camp.
Merguez sausages for tea with fresh gnocchi and pesto and, finally, some fresh salad. The sausages were disappointing for merguez but fine otherwise. Everything else was lovely. Including the €2 euro bottle of wine we picked up in the black forest, although we'd already downed the decent (€4.50) bottle before opening it so our senses may have been numbed slightly.
I like it here. The contrast to the campsite at Maggiore is huge. At €7.50 it's a steal. But it's also peaceful and friendly. And any site that's hammock friendly is an instant win.
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