Local beer

Having a beer after me 'tour eifel'. Blowing the froth off a teatimer as they say.

The place is an old covent called Kloster Machern just over the river from the digs and within walking distance. It brews its own and its a hefe for starters.

Waitresses are running around in lederhosen but I'll get chucked out if I start taking pics of them.

Teatimer with froth blown off

 

Blurry picture of Brauhaus just after the lederhosen went by

 

Kloster Machern

Kloster machern beergarden

 

 

A run around the Eifel

 

Rough Circular route from Zeltingen , Cochem, Mayen, Gerolstein , Marburg, Wittlich and back to Zeltingen. Route is based on the ADAC tourist routes.

It's a dry day so that's a bonus but the roads are wet in patches. However hardly anyone on them so a double bonus.

Stopped counting castles when I got to six.

 

Cochem - Mosel central as far as the touristy stuff goes

Cant remember exactly where but panoramic of the area to show what its like

Another view point - I think its just outside Kirchwald

Castle no.8 or 9

Himmerod Abbey

Mayen

 

Wine festival........

 

Well that's a first, a German wine festival. Now all I know about white wine is that I like it slightly dry and definitely not sweet, so I'm knackered when it comes to a choice of twenty or so from the same wine producer which is what this particular village/festival was all about. First problem is to find out what trocken, feinherb,fruchtig and schoppenwein mean and I'm in business. For the record its the Schwaab family wine and the village of Erden and I like the 2012 Erdener Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett apparently, according to my friendly festival barman . Very nice it is too.

A pork schnitzel, onions and fried potatoes for 5 euros and I'm sorted.

The Main Street of the village was all set out with a good two dozen food and wine stalls, a couple of brass bands and other live music so a good night out. No trouble and everyone on best behaviour. Pity about the occasional rain and persistent drizzle.

 

BBQ full of steak

 

Tomorrow its a tour around the Eifel side (northern area) and Monday I'll do the Hunsruck side (southern area),

And still it rained.....

Dropped into the Mosel Valley just after Trier at a place called Kenn and picked up a road that followed the river - B53 - all the way to a place called Zeltingen-Rachtig which is where I'm based for the next few nights. Rain was on and off, but more off and nothing really heavy - it is October afterall. Stopped at Bernkastel as it was looking really busy with the river boats and all the folk wandering about. Parked up by the river for 30mins or so watching the boats and it didn't rain a drop. Got back on the bike and it started spitting. Never mind only 10 mins or so to the digs.
Mike at the River Valley guesthouse recommends going to a wine festival in the next village down called Erden, and is also kind enough to play taxi driver - sorted for tonight then.

Boats & boats

Park up and it stops raining

The castle at Bernkastel!!

Rainy day in the Ardennes

What more do you need on a motorbike trip - quiet roads, scenic hills & views, forest, but not necessarily rain. It's not chucking it down more drizzle but the roads are greasy, covered in leaves (forest!) and I'm riding a bit on edge. Ah well, it's good to be out and about anyhow as its all new to me this area. I've  pulled into a town called Arlon on the Luxembourg border for a coffee and to get out of the rain for a bit.

Bit of motorway next, then going to try and pick up the Moselweinstrasse along the river valley - lunch in the fatherland I think.

View from the cafe Les Arcades - has it stopped raining yet?

Still raining in  Arlon

Not raining but wet in Arlon

This tank in the Arlon main square is wet - no wonder the Yanks left it behind!!

Bouillon

This place looks like the Belgian version of Matlock Bath. First impressions is its a nice place - river, castle, loads of bars, restaurants etc. sat in a bar now thats down a side street and has a very local feel about it and pretty busy.(it's called La Vielle Ardenne but looks empty in the picture though?)




A La Chouffe in La Vielle Ardenne

Chouffe 8% draught is the weapon of choice at the moment and next up will be Orval at a mere 6,2%. I reckon when in Belgium with the choice of beer available you should try and not repeat yourself!!!

Better not stay out too late.

Now all I've got to do is ring IoM Nige with the bar noise in the background to rub it in. But first ring the Mrs from a quiet spot, after all its a 'trip' not a holiday!!!

Now one thing that's immediately obvious is how all the guys in this part of the world greet one another - a kiss on the cheek and a handshake. Even saw a bloke walking his dog stop outside a bar say hello to his mates with kisses all round and then went on his way. You might just get a nod or a 'awright mate' from where i come from. Not knocking it but its sent me gaydar out of calibration I'm afraid - I guess I should travel more.

You know the saying ' when in Rome', well bollocks to that I'm afraid.

Hotel de la Poste - cheapest rooms ok but bar expensive so drink across the road or have a wander

River Semois

Bouillon Castle - theres a bit more running to the right as well

Hotel de la Poste when the sun goes down 

Lady Penelope's Jag in the garage. Parker didn't quite get it square on in the bay

The lift in the hotel is one of those with only three walls - stand clear ladies & gents as the doors move up & down before your very eyes.

 

Vimy

Stopped off at the Canadian memorial at Vimy Ridge. Been here before a year or two back but looked around the trenches & tunnels then and didn't go up to the monument. Only a 5 min detour off the A26.



I always look for my familyname on these things - its not that common. I guess most folk do and wonder if they're related in some way. 11,000 names on this one