Mosel or Moselle?

Mon 21^st

Back into Germany to the Mosel. We drove to Trier and found the very large stellplatz by the river. Unfortunately it was also by  2 very busy roads! Weather was a bit damp so we walked into the town to see it’s famous buildings and fountain. Following Lillian’s directions we also found a street full of sex shops!!! Lots of them. Moving on……….. the town was much bigger than we expected with lots of new shops and buildings alongside the historical ones. The Porta Nigra  was very impressive as was the central market square. The fountain of St. Peter was very ornate and pristine.

fountain of st Peter

Porta Nigra - Roman

Tues 22^nd

We moved along the Mosel to Minheim and one of the Top Platz sites. It was right on the river and well laid out but again had a road right behind it that proved full of commuter traffic from 6am. We cycled into nearby Piersport and stopped at a lovely café for a beer.

our pitches with river views

passing traffic

Weds 23^rd

Cycle ride again into Bernkastel Kues for the obligatory café und kuchen – yummy! It was very hot and sunny so we returned on the other river bank. We passed a nice shady stellplatz in Wintrich and decided to move here. The girls stayed to keep our spots whilist Chris and myself cycled back to return with the vans. Lots of trees, free wifi and much less traffic noise. Sorted. We spent the afternoon relaxing and updating our blogs in the shade.

Thurs 24^th

I cycled high above Piersport in the morning on my road bike. Short steep climb than return via the panoramic strasse. Lovely views and well worth the effort. 

short but steep!

Piersport below

We then moved to nearby Neumagen and the yacht marina. Bit cramped on our pitches but we had an appointment that evening at Gerd Siebert’s (local wine producer and father of a pharmacist who happens to be a colleague of Tina’s!)  

What a great evening. We were very warmly greeted and spent 3 ½ hours sampling many bottles of his fine mosel wines.  We got back to the vans at 10.30pm to grab a quick bite to eat – then had a very good night’s sleep!

Friday 25^th

We returned as arranged to meet Gerd  to buy some wine. We were treated to a tour of the cellars and to learn about how the wine is produced. Neumagen is the oldest wine producing town on the Mosel and is steeped in history. Gerd was very patient and answered our many questions. He will also deliver 21 bottles to the UK for €16 p&p – bargain.

guided tour from Gerd

recovering........

Our next stop was on a huge stellplatz in Enkirch. It is a big, open grassy place right on the river with the biggest collection of monster motorhomes we have seen yet. But we also noticed that quite a few of the owners were also, ahem, on the large side. Note to selves – do not buy a  bigger van.

Sat 26^th

We woke up to a mist filled valley which looked very moody. Our destination was Vianden in Luxembourg a small town packed full of medieval buildings and a beautiful Chateau high above the river. 

Chateau in the background

by the river again

The roads we chose were very twisty and beautifully surfaced – perfect for our motorbikes (again). We arrived in Vianden down a very narrow road and headed for a campsite by the river. Rejected – too busy, small cramped pitches and staff who didn’t have a clue which ones were free. The next one close by was much better with large grassy pitches right by the river. Chris really confused the lady in the office when she short changed him by an euro. Her possible dementia probably didn’t help her do the simple maths to rectify this! I explained the calculation on my phone which seemed to make her even more confused…………

Black Forest revisited , then back to France

Tues 15^th

Nice and cold overnight so a good sleep was had by all! We decided to go back to Schiltach in Germany as we had unfinished business. Easy drive back to find the stellplatz very full of vans and cars in between. We squeezed in a corner right by the grass after a very nice gentleman moved his car out for us. . Nice place and good to be back. The other 2 Carthago vans were giving us a bad name by parking very inconsiderately and taking up far too  much room. BBQ on the grass that night as the weather was glorious.

stellplatz in the sun

Weds 16^th

Very hot again so an early cycle ride along the valley to Alpirschbach for café und kuchen. Lunch then onto the museums. One on the history of logging and wood cutting machines, pharmacy one for Tina then onto Hansgrohe – manufacturer of baths and taps. Lots of very expensive and funky taps to play with. Amazing how many types of shower heads you can buy.  That evening we were enjoying tea on “our lawn” when we were politely asked to move as they were setting up for a concert. German efficiency was observed as they quickly set up tables, chairs and the bar. It was really great to sit and enjoy our evening meal and listen to the local brass band right in front of us. Excellent.

setting up for concert

pharmacy museum

Thurs 18^th

Very short drive along the B500 which twists along the top of a wooded set of mountains. Famous amongst bikers – Chris and I rode it 3 years ago on one of our summer trips. We stopped at a very rustic campsite in Ottenhofen and enjoyed a very nice grassy terrace with great views. The owner appeared at his house window and looked as if he had never seen a ray of sunshine! The showers were disgusting and the loos stank – you had to flush it with a hose pipe. Weird. A cycle ride to explore our surroundings revealed that the outdoor pool across the road from us was closed due to water quality problems caused by all the recent storms. What a shame as the chute looked good fun.

Friday 19^th

Back into France and to Bitche in the northern Vosges to visit the huge citadel which towers above the town. The free aire was right beside the entrance. Very nice with 5 well kept separate pitches. Opposite us they were busy constructing the arena for the forthcoming Medieval show. A walk around the moat down into  town was very hot but worth it for the views. That evening we enjoyed  a very nice meal of venison in the only restaurant we could find. Good choice!

Bitche - free aire

Sat 20^th

In the morning we went up to the Citadel and thoroughly enjoyed the tour. The headphones supplied automatically picked up the audio to the many short films that told the story of the siege of Bitche by the Prussians in 1870 after a disastrous  war started by the French. What a huge place with lots of remaining artifacts on display.

glamorous !

view from citadel

Tour De France - soggy!

Friday 11^th

After a shop in munster we headed over to Gerardmer to rendezvous with Chris and Lillian in their Rapido motorhome. Chris had booked the campsite months ago as we were Tour De France bound. The site was in Xonrupt Longemer 6km outside Gerardmer. Very basic with lots of space. Nice setting. We had just leveled up when C & L arrived. It was good to catch up over lunch. 

finish climb - looks easy ! - not

In the afternoon drizzle myself, Tina and Chris cycled into town around the lake. It was relatively quiet but I couldn’t resist cycling up the finish climb – 13%. Tough going for me and several others all trying it before the professionals would make it look so much flatter tomorrow!  We got back a bit wet and soggy but a good cycle.

Sat 12 th

ready to go

bit wet at the 1km to go flag

TDF race day!  We all scooted into town at 12.30pm prepared for the inevitable rain. After some tee shirt shopping we walked up the climb to “claim” our viewing spot. The waiting around was made worse by the rain coming and going. The  promo caravan cheered us up as we tussled with school kids for all the freebies being thrown at us – key rings, Frisbees, fridge magnets, foam toys , haribo and of course caps!  I now have  Cofidis, Bic and King of the mountains caps.  All essential of course, but pride of place? My PMU green foam hand!

Sky team bus

use those freebies

stage winner Blel Kadri

lots of cars and bikes involved

When the riders finally arrived so had the persistent rain. Great to see them suffering up the hill, but so fast. The rain took the edge of the day – what a shame.

Sun 13th

The stage started in town today so we cycled in to soak up the atmosphere. as the roads were closed we followed 2 local cyclists around the back streets to get there in time. the huge team buses were arriving and disgorging bikes and kit. great to see so many of the stars close up. God they are so thin.

Astana team bus - with Nibali's lions on show (yellow jersey)

King of the Mountains - stage winner Blel Kadri

stage depart