Well, today was a long day, but a very good day and I really enjoyed it. Every single moment. It was an early getaway and leaving the campsite at Guise it was overcast, 19 degrees and with rain following behind so I needed to keep going for the first couple of hours to keep the rain behind me.
I was heading in a north easterly direction heading for Revin and then Anchamps where I intended to follow a winding road up and down over the hills and valleys of the Ardennes. With lots of hairpin bends going up and down it was a great ride which led me into Belgium and to the town of Bouillon, where I wanted to see the medieval castle.
There’s been a castle here since 998 but over the centuries they’ve added and added, with the last major additions for artillery in the 1700’s. It cost 16eu to get in and they even had a falconry display. It’s well worth the visit if you are passing. After the castle I headed east again on even more twisty roads, and eventually I arrived at Bastogne.
I was in Bastogne two years ago, almost to the week, where I stayed on a nice campsite just outside the town. I had already been to the WW2 museum but I headed there anyway. I left the bike outside the museum and walked over to the American Memorial to pay my respects. I needed a break and knew there were lots of places to sit in the shade, which is what I did as by that time it was 28 degrees and had a leisurely lunchtime break in the shade..
After a break I headed east again into Luxembourg and to the town of Vandien. Northern Luxembourg is so pretty, with lots of rolling hills, forests and greenery. It almost has an alpine feel in some places. Arriving at Vandien I was greeted by the huge castle on top of the hill overlooking the town. It’s a Romanesque looking castle and it was constructed between the 11th and 14th century – with bits added and added over this time to make the castle what it is today. Unfortunately, as much as I would have liked to go and visit, it was 28 degrees, I was in my riding gear and there was a zillion steps to get up to the castle – so I took a picture instead…
Leaving the beautiful town of Vandien I headed into Germany. You always know when you arrive in Germany – as the roads are so good… It’s nice to be back in Germany, which is a country I really do like.
Heading south and east I arrived at the town of Trier, and I’m here because there’s a Roman Amphitheater nearby, which I am keen to visit. The Mosel River runs through the town – and next to the campsite – which eventually joins the Rhine River at Koblenz. When turning off the busy main road for the campsite there was lots of construction, so I was a bit worried – but my fears were needless because the campsite is quiet, green and had lots of trees. Yes, I can hear the hum of nearby traffic but it’s not oppressive. The toilets and showers are superb, as you’d expect on a German campsite. I am quite glad I’m in a tent as all the campervans are all crowded together in their enclosure (corral) while the tents have their own little field and as there are only a few campers, we’re all spread out so there’s lots of space.
I’ve ridden through four countries today: France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, and on the way I’ve experienced some superb winding roads with lots of hairpins, and seen some beautiful scenery. The trip today was around 250 miles and I’ve enjoyed every mile. After a few days here, it’s onwards into Germany and then a few more miles…!
