The first part is here, the second part will appear when I write it.
Day 1
4.30 am start
Early ferry, warned of possible industrial action.
Arrival outside Calais at 10.45 local time. Warned of strike again, told we could enter the port, Got to the berthing bay and the French port workers refused to accept the ropes from the boat. We then sat on the boat until 2pm local time, at which point we turned back towards Dover and sailed home again. Trips to Continental Europe = 1, days = 1, channel crossings = 2
Upon arrival back in Dover, we were given Eurotunnel tickets and we made our way to Folkestone for our free trip to France. We were put on the 16.33 train and half an hour later, we arrived in France (again)
Trips to Continental Europe = 2, days = 1, channel crossings = 3.
Upon arriving in France we searched in vain for a place to stop and bed down.
Upon arrival in Belgium, we found a place to bed down within minutes.
Day 2
We awoke early again, awoken by the sound of cockerels.
After packing up we made our way towards Luxembourg.
Not much happened apart from an accident on the way.
The chief navigator only erred twice, but got in trouble both times (He (or I) blame(s) bad instructions!)
We arrived on an almost dead site and set up. We then journeyed down the road about 1km to the quaint (read old fashioned) town of Larochette (or Fiels in Luxemburgish)
Along the road a bit is the town of Medernach and further along is Diekirch, where we walked along the river for a bit.
After tea we went into Luxemburg City via the route for day 3. This however proved to be a bad idea as we got a little bit lost on the way home. The roads were not signed and we ended up stuck in a diversion.
We eventually arrived home, and watched the start of a DVD before bedtime.
Day 3
After a leisurely breakfast, we departed Luxemburg with the help of a tractor to pull us out off the pitch. To prove we actually made it we have some photos and a lanyard keychain from the site.
The journey to Germany via France was uneventful, and I daresay not very interesting. We did however feel more at ease when we got into Germany.
We arrived to a closed campsite only to discover that the booking company had not got us a reservation for the site.
Eventually we got set up, and went to the local supermarket where I broke my toe. It was nice, (the supermarket that is!) and they had a Tchibo there.
After tea I played against my maternal figure at table tennis which I won 2-1 (although I had the light advantage in the tischtennishalle)
Day 4
We woke up, ate breakfast, had a quick swim in the Hallenbad then went into Staufen, a few minutes walk along the road. Staufen is reportedly the town where Faust sold his soul to the Devil, as represented byt the mural on the Rathaus.
As it was Good Friday (or Karfreitag) much of the town was closed, but alas it was very pleasant.
We ate lunch (Brötchen mit Nutella) then decided to go out. What we filed to remember was that the site gates are closed form 12.30 until 3pm, so we stayed in and read for a bit (I can recommend ‘London Bridges’ by James Patterson as a good read.)
When we were finally able to escape, we went off towards Mt Belchen, the mountain of which we have a ‘blick’ from our campsite, Camping Belchenblick. Unfortunately, owing to conservation concerns, the mountain road was closed, so we will return to take some pictures after our trip on the new ski-lift.
We came back to have steak, sausage and campsite chips (sadly bereft of paprika) for our tea.
The evening found us in the caravan watching a DVD of Inspector Morse.
Day 5
We woke up, ate breakfast etc etc. Our friends from Wales had now arrived, so we set out to have breakfast with them at around 12 o’clock. Now, at 17.20 local time, we have just returned from our walk with them, having walked around Staufen for the past 5 hours. We took in a bratwurst and a coffee at the local coffee shop, and then wandered aimlessly to the Bergruin and a couple of supermarkets.
Day 6
Normal morning rituals, then lunch, then off to the lakeside town of Titisee, which boasts some lovely views and various gift shops, including a Christmas Market with so nice products to buy.
After a wander down around the lake past some nice authentic German clock and watch shops (if anyone wishes to buy me a present, a titanium touch-screen Tissot watch wouldn’t go amiss!) we partook of yet another sausage and some Bratkartoffeln, (fried potato pieces with spices and bacon) before heading home for more campsite high jinks. Once again it was Tim vs. Mum in the tischtennis, in which I triumphed 3-0.
Our chums then came round for tea and biscuits and much merriment was had.
Day 7
We went to Colmar in France, it was closed.
Day 8
After an early start we set off for Schaffhausen in Switzerland. We took a very scenic route through the South German Mountains, passing a few ski runs and a toboggan run. (Ask me about the tobogganist joke when you see me!) We took some nice pictures of the Rheinfalls at Schaffhausen, then took a boat trip across the river. Then it was home for tea and another Inspector Morse DVD.
Day 9
Today was our shopping day in Freiburg, where we accidentally came across my favourite German shop, Media Markt. A few moments were spent there before we offed ourselves to Wal-Mart (like ASDA but good.) Oh the merriment of a Jones holiday!
No comments:
Post a Comment