France Recy

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  • Day 2–3

    Kultur-Stopp in der Champagne

    August 25, 2024 in France ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Am Sonntag fahren wir bis zu einem Campingplatz kurz vor Reims. Wir kommen am frühen Nachmittag an und nutzen die Zeit unser Wohnei richtig einzurichten. Das heißt: Wir finden jeden Hohlraum und jedes Loch, wo wir was reinstopfen können.

    Am Montag starten wir zum Kultur-Ausflug. Gleich bei der Einfahrt nach Reims, schnell und unverhofft, landen wir im Chateau Pommery, wo auch unmittelbar die Führung durch die in 30 m Tiefe gelegenen Champagner-Keller beginnt. Wir bekommen wahre Schätze von sehr alten Flaschen in allen Größen und mit dicker Staubsschicht bedeckt, zu sehen. Die Luft in den Kellern wirkt sehr anregend und mit dem Glas zum Abschluss wird die weitere Stadtbesichtigung leichtfüßig und fröhlich.
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  • Day 32

    Day 29 - Chalons en Champagne to La Chau

    May 19, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    A nice variety in the walk today. Some riverside walking, along La Marne, cultivated fields and some canal walking (back on the Canal Lateral a la Marne). The hotel I'm staying at tonight is right on Le Fion River, I can see it from my window. I went on a Vivid style of river cruise last night in Chalons called Barque Métamorph’eau’ses it was really lovely. Classic ending though; rather than return to where we started; it finished in a park with no lighting at 11 pm at night! Thankfully, I had undertaken the audio guide tour of the city and knew exactly where I was. Note the lone rubbish bin in the middle of nowhere. P.S. I met, together, a Spanish man, walking the Saint-Jacques Compostelle, and a French man walking the VF - the two paths coincide for quite a bit.Read more

  • Day 31

    Day 28 - rest day (Chalons en Champagne)

    May 18, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    I felt the impact of our car focused world today. It was extremely difficult for the Tourist office staff and the Hotel reception to understand that I wanted directions out of the city so that I could walk the 16 km return to L'Epine where the Basilique Notre Dame, apparently a must visit for pilgrims to Spain on the St. Jacques route, is located. Anyway, I'm glad I persisted. The walk was pleasant, and what I'd failed to appreciate was that today was a public holiday in France - Ascension Day: a big day for Notre Dame herself - and just after I got there the place began to fill with brothers, nuns and lay folk, and a service started. I stayed, sat towards the back, and was privileged to be among some beautiful singers, both male and female. The French are much tougher than us; they kneel directly onto the stone floor.Read more

  • Day 30

    Day 27 - rest day (Chalons en Champagne)

    May 17, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    It was a beautiful sunny day today. The wind was very chilly, but all was good. I acted as a tourist and explored the city using their very handy audio guide. I am staying here an extra day as I could not get accommodation at my next stop until the night after next. I have used my time wisely and have booked the next eleven nights' accommodation. I only have to cook once in that time frame (fingers crossed, as many restaurants are not open on a Monday night). I have saved my museum visits for tomorrow. Look at this, you can buy a cut loaf of bread without crusts! There is a very diverse range of architecture in this city. Note the dirty archway; it's the entrance to the police station. P.S. it was Market Day today, and I was able to buy some lovely fresh fruit straight from the farm.Read more

  • Day 29

    Day 26 - Trepail to Chalons en Champagne

    May 16, 2023 in France ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    I was about 8 km off route when I started my day and the road took me through the small town of Ambonnay - there were signs of the champagne industry everywhere there. Luckily, I managed to rejoin the trail just after 9 am at Conde sur Marne. The rest of the walk was along the Canal Lateral a la Marne in what appeared to be a perfectly straight line. All is right with the world, I walked in sunshine all day. I saw two barges (one commercial and one leisure), swans, ducks, and the biggest thrill was walking behind a heron who wanted to have its photo taken. The only disappointment was I did not get to see a lock in action. The highlight of the day, however, was coming across two Dutch pilgrims who are walking the VF in reverse! They are a lovely couple: Riet and Guus. Like me, they have had trouble sourcing accommodation and will share their info with me via email. I may have just struck gold as the tourist office here has been less than helpful. Oh, and I've just finished the most delicious glass of champagne! Note: one of the photos shows where the Canal Saint Martin flows under the Canal Lateral a la Marne (at right angles)!Read more

  • Day 28

    Day 25 - Reims to Trepail

    May 15, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Obviously, the Cathedral in Reims is a highlight. But a walk through Basilique Saint Remi is also worth the visit. The VF path going out of Reims was along the canal (12 km worth). It's a very nice way to leave an urban area, though a little hard on the feet as it's all paved. Believe it or not, those water pumps work. All you have to do is rotate the brass handle at the top. I saw signs of commerce with what looked like wheat being loaded onto a barge. After the canal walk, I moved into farmland for a while and then onto the vineyards. I saw a few names I recognised. The day ended with a mixture of forest and vineyard walking. It looks like the French forestry department takes a similar approach to our Australian ones - take out whatever you can get (sustainably, of course 😉). I saw a little snake today. It looked sluggish and probably could have used some sun (no complaints from me, I got a good lot of sun this morning). I met my first walking pilgrim on the path this afternoon. A Brit, who sleeps 'wild' as he calls it. It seems to me that those with a tent are much better served and have a lot more options than those of us who are relying on hotels, etc., on the VF. The highlight of my day, though, was a WhatsApp call from my girls - I was so happy to see them 💗 ☺️ 💕 😊.Read more

  • Day 15

    Reise nach Reims

    April 12 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Mt dem Wetterwechsel kommt auch der Stellungswechsel. Wir verlassen die Loire und fahren nordwärts Richtung Paris. Unser Tagesziel für einen Overnighter ist ein Womo-Stellplatz in Chateau-Thierry. Und obwohl wir Paris relativ großräumig umfahren (denken wir) erwischen uns dort eine ganze Menge fieser Staus und gewöhnungsbedürftiger Franzmann-Verkehr. So kommen wir erst gegen 17 Uhr am Stellplatz an, um festzustellen, dass der letzte freie Slot gerade vergeben wurde. Wir machen schnell eine neue Planung und finden einen schnuckeligen CP in der Nähe von Reims, wo wir pünktlich zum Ladenschluss um 19 Uhr einchecken. Da simmer nu und morgen gibt's eine Planung.Read more

  • Day 36–38

    Mareuil-sur-Ay bei Epernay

    April 11 in France ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Nach 5 Wochen bei unserer Familie in Cesson geht's jetzt weiter, Nina geht es inzwischen besser.
    Colmar wäre eine Option, aber ab Sonntag wird auch da das Wetter schlechter, April halt. Da wir die letzten 2 Tage noch mit Sonne genießen wollen, entscheiden wir uns für diesen Ort Nähe bei Epernay, da waren wir schon mal und es hat uns damals sehr gefallen. Liegt außerdem auf dem Weg Richtung Heimat, bei Regen und Kälte ist Vanlife nicht so schön.
    Bei 11:45 Uhr entern wir den kostenfreien Stellplatz. Das ist auch gut so, weil keine 1/2 Std später sind die restlichen 3 Plätze belegt, davon 2 Hymer Crossover aus ME.
    Nach Mittag machen wir noch eine Wanderung zur "Notre Dame" eine Skulptur oben im Weinberg zur Erinnerung an die Rückkehr der Kriegsgefangenen im August 1944.

    Samstag, 12.04.:
    Heute nochmal die Sonne genießen, nach 11 Uhr den Roller ausgepackt und die Gegend mit den Weinbergen und tollen Aussichten usw erkundet.
    Bei Petrus an unserem Stellplatz ist die Küche heute Abend geschlossen und das Lokal schließt um 19 Uhr sowieso. Also kocht Elke auch heute und Manni hat immer noch kein Croque Monsieur oder Madame gegessen.😳
    Wobei Elkes Essen mit Gewuerzaus Marokko echt lecker ist.
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  • Day 59–60

    Pogny, Marne

    May 31, 2024 in France ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    We had another walk around the marina after breakfast .
    Our stopover today is in Pogny in the Marne department. We have a beautiful spot to park right adjacent to the canal. There's not alot in the village but plenty of walking opportunities which we took full advantage of. After a rainy start to the day we had lovely sunshine all afternoon and evening.Read more

  • Day 2

    Wir sind gespannt

    August 12, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    Ich bin früh ins Bett und habe sehr unruhig geschlafen. Es regnet immer noch. Um 8 Uhr kommt unser Frühstück im Körbchen, lecker....
    Um 9 Uhr fahren wir los zum Termin mit dem Eigner der GROENLAND. Es schüttet aus Kübeln. Endlich können wir das Boot besichtigen!!!. Der Eigner beantwortet viele unserer Fragen.... trotzdem bleiben noch viele offen....
    Weiter geht's dann nach Saverne, hier kommen wir gegen 14 Uhr an - Auto ausladen - Boot einräumen - geschafft!
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