After a 72km motor at 10 – 11km/hr (the current increased a little yesterday) we arrived in Cochem late afternoon. A quick wander showed us what a beautiful town it is. Tomorrow morning we shall be visiting its castle. Every day there is something new to view: Canoeists in the lock. A massive new brudge under […]
After Trier, we found that with each tributary passed, the river flow increased a little more: in comparison with the Rhone and Saone the current was nothing about which to be concerned. A bit of excitement this particular day, as we approached Bridge Thὅrnich. A group of young men were enjoying the adrenalin rush of […]
Our night stop is at this delightful town of Bernkastel – Kues. If ever the chance arises, it is a must to visit.
Coffee was had amidst the rocking swells created by the passing barges. This was the land of the grapes. Hillsides steep, the vines grew in neat as a pin soldier – like lines. Sadly, our planned stopover at the entrance to the Syre Gorge, Luxembourg, didn’t eventuate. On arriving at the entrance, it was with […]
A long day that saw us arrive on the outskirts of the small country town of Schengen, the town where numerous European countries met to write up the Schengen Agreement. One important aspect for the traveller is the time allowed in each country that signed on and became a member of the Schengen agreement. If […]
A distance of thirty kilometres travelled on this morning found us in Metz, a town with 3,500 years of history. Each invasion that took place saw alterations of one kind or another, and sadly much of the visual history had vanished into the annals of time. Metz, the Township Commencing life as a small Celtic […]
A late 11:30am start and an easy run: except for the water hose of the engine popping off a few times. The third saw black smoke steaming from you know whose ears. It turned out to be the result of shards from the old impeller blocking the exit, which in turn created pressure build up that […]
Well, the break is over and we are back in Nancy and online once more, after visiting the most amazing sites: yes, finally a pic of the Matterhorn – that experience just blew us away! After a day of cleaning, shopping and laundry, the car is about to be returned and the canal sojourn recommenced. […]
Gentle relaxed car drive as Bob and I returned to Nancy in order to recommence our canal sojourn. Eleven kilometres north – east of our final destination, a short side trip into Saint-Nicolas-de-Port took place: the aim to visit the church, Saint Nicholas Basilica, Bob had read about. Situated in the Meurthe Valley, the town’s […]
After a wonderful week, we returned to France this afternoon and are spending the night in Molsheim. It’s back to Gratis tomorrow.
Another lazy start that eventually found us moseying through the Black forest for the last time: low cloud, left over from last night’s rain enshrouded the hills. Mountain wildflowers decorated the countryside – a gentle contrast to the greens – rain seemed to have brightened them. Moss decorated tree trunks, beautiful in the soft […]
Freiburg im Briesgau is a town that ‘calls to me’, and was a place that I wished to share with Bob. Disappointingly, a chill morning in which rain fell, meant fully exploring the township of didn’t happen: we so don’t do well in the cold! The tourist on foot has the opportunity of entering […]
There was a slight chill to the air when we arose at the crack of dawn. There was method to our madness: viewing the Matterhorn in the glow of the rising sun. Bob attired in shorts, t – shirt and fleecy windcheater, and myself in leggings, skirt, sleeveless top, long sleeved top and fleecy windcheater, […]
Next to the hotel was a dairy come stables in which cows were housed. After going into slumber to the sounds of a cow creating a combination of lowing and weird sounds – almost as though it was pushing, on the morn, we awoke to the most incredible bellow. Bob and I believe it was pregnant and […]
What a delightful day! A last few buildings covered in frescoes detailed nursery rhymes, fairy tales, and fables. Bob and I travelled through pasturelands and mountainous countryside where the grey rubble of landslides was a regular occurrence – an occasional cyclist wasn’t deterred. The landscape became increasingly more rugged upon entering Austria for a short […]
Climbing commenced immediately upon departing Blaubeuren. Pastureland covered in corn (hand – picking in one) and grains with the great pine forests extending down to their edge. Small green & white signs meant cycling/walking paths we discovered when Bob took a wrong turn by accident and wooden barns were prevalent. Not a great deal had […]
To continue reading about our 2016 journey, click the link to our German page. www.gratisaustralis.com/category/germany/
Today saw us enter Germany and the Schwarzwald, land of the cuckoo clock, black forest cake and pom – pom hats. With its neat as a pin towns, white washed houses, mixed with wooden balconies, beams and flowers, Germany was so incredibly different to France. The commencement of our journey took us through cherry and […]
Click the link to take you there. Look for the dates of the 17th – 23rd to read more on our car journey. www.gratisaustralis.com/category/germany/
This was the day we commenced a week’s exploration by car. In the Meurther valley, Bob and I chose the picturesque route that took us north of Nancy and Strasbourg In abundance, were the community vegie gardens that allowed those of the close knit high rise complexes their small piece of earth. As our drive […]
