Wk 16 – The Final Stretch

Sun 28th August to Mon 5th September
Strasbourg, Trier, Cochem, Givet, Brugges, Felixstowe

So, as a few of you have so politely informed me, we’ve been home for 6 weeks now so I’d best get this thing across the line.

Sun 28th – Basel to Strasbourg – 245k

Today we journeyed through the Vosges Mountains which was a great ride even though it was overcast.
A sumptuous breakfast and we were on the road, filled up with fuel then skirted the populated areas by taking the freeway to Cernay, a rare thing. We spotted the Cernay French Military WWI Cemetery established in 1920, where there are 3,643 graves with a further 933 bodies buried in an ossuary. It’s always a heavy moment for me whenever I see the mass graves of those who lost their lives for whatever reason, but certainly not of their own endeavour.

Then it was up into the mountains to enjoy the 145klms of scenery on offer, along with quite a few other travellers, tourists, bicycle riders, motorcycle riders, runners and a few local tractors.

Into the lovely Strasbourg for a 2 night stop right next to the old town with it’s huge cathedral

and old canal systems and waterways originally built in 1682. These are a delight to roam around.

and classic buildings in abundance.

We walked and enjoyed the entire old town area. If you ever get the chance to visit Strasbourg don’t pass up the opportunity.

Tues 30th – Strasbourg to Trier– 210k

Today is something of a transit day as we’re making mileage on this final stretch of this magnificent journey.

So we’re trundling along through France, minding our own business, when we come across the little town of Bitchie whose main claim to fame is its 800-year-old Citadel, a massive hilltop fortress that dominates the town and was once regarded as one of Europe’s most powerful military strongholds. And it is truly massive.

This thing has quite a history. We did the tour even though it was fast becoming a very hot day.

We continued our trundling and arrived in Trier on the Moselle River. Another lovely and very busy town which has been here since the 4th century.

Wed 31st – Trier to Cochem– 160k

Today we played catch-me-if-you-can with the Moselle River as it snaked it’s way north to Cochem. We’d travelled this same road in 2016 on our first great motorcycle adventure, so many of the sights were familiar.

To beautiful tourist infested Cochem. Another ‘must-see’ destination which was first mentioned in dispatches as far back as 866.
We’d stopped here in 2016 at the beginning of that journey and it seemed fitting that we stop here this time at what may very well be the end of our third journey. We took a day to enjoy the town’s delights.

Friday 2nd September – Cochem to Givet– 235k

With only 2 and bit travel days to go we needed to cover some miles, but not too many. Today we did 4 countries – from Cochem in Germany, through Luxemborg, then Belgium into France where we stopped for the night at Givet in the Ardennes pocket.

Today was a delightful ride following virtually deserted backroads through farmlands and towns made famous for their part in the ‘Battle of the Bulge‘ at the end of WW2.

Sat 3rd Sept – Givet to Bruges – 215k

Today we push NW to Brugge, Bruges, Brugges or however you wish to spell it.
First waypoint is Les Lacs de l’Eau d’Heure where the equivalent to our State Emergency Service was practicing their rope and recovery skills.

Then through Beaumont to Mons where we got caught up in some grand parade or some such traffic jam.

Then it was a very pleasant wander through Belgium’s fine countryside to Bruges.
I guess there was a little piece of nostalgia here as Bruges was also the final journey layover of our 2016 trip. Bruges dates back to the 1st century and is a lovely medieval city with it’s waterways with many bridges, chocolate shops, famous tower and churches.

Did I mention chocolate shops. We’d had an encounter with a lovely Chocolatier in 2016 where we’d bought an assorted box of delicious morsels – and shame on us that we’d eaten them all before we’d even got to the end of the street. This time we managed to make the double layered box last 3 days, although I’m a little suspicious that the ‘guardian of the box’ didn’t sneak a few 😃

Sun 4th Sept – Bruges to Hook of Holland – 230k

Our final push to the English Channel which was mainly freeway which is very unusual for our travelling style, but it’s mostly flat, well totally flat actually, so very little to see. We had a brew on a side road

Before dropping in to Rotterdam for a look around. We’d also spent time here in 2016.

We had time to kill before heading to the ferry terminal so we just sat and watched the busy city of Rotterdam go about it’s business.

I promise I’ll get this finished next.