Paris

No problem getting up this morning, as so excited about going to Paris. Left at 10, and at train station at 10.30. The main car park was full, but we found another one down the road with spaces, and still free. The nice lady in the ticket office printed our tickets, and also 2 for Wednesday. Within 10 mins the double decker train pulled up, and we found some seats on the top deck.

The train journey was smooth and quiet. Very nice and relaxing. At Gare du Nord we went down into the Metro and bought a 'Carnet' of 10 tickets. Quickly found our tube, and within four stops we were walking out into the beautiful sunny day to see Notre Dame.

Across the river we amazingly found a book shop I was looking for "Shakespeare & co", an English book shop set up by an American woman in 1917. It was a lovely shop to wander round, and we picked up a few bits. Found a loo outside the cathedral, and also lots of armoured soldiers.

We walked around the back of Notre Dame, where I did my first cache in Paris, then off the island onto the North Bank. It was very noisy and loads of traffic, so scuttled back to the island.

Followed it to its most westerly point and then returned to the mainland. Found a little cafe, and had a wonderful lunch.

Walked past the Louvre and went to look at the pyramid. Not bad, apart from the gift shop and entrance they have attached to it, which does rather spoil the whole effect. Walking through the gardens there were an awful lot of traders, but they gradually disappeared, and it was a pleasant walk to the Place de la Concorde.

From here onwards there was a huge Christmas market, which we walked up along the Champs Elysee. There were some nice things, and we picked up a few presents.

After about an hour, headed towards the river and walked along it until we reached the Eiffel Tower. It looked stunning as it lit up and the sun went down.

Back to the metro, 1 change, and we were back at Gare du Nord, in time for the 6.30 train.
It was a restful trip back to the car, and then popped into a supermarket to pick up a few bits. It was late, and we were tired, but we still enjoyed having a look around. Back at the van for 9, and then ate and watched a film, before falling into bed at midnight.

A look around Camping de Trye

We had a nice lie in this morning, and awoke to hear our Dutch neighbours moving about. After shower, Chris went out and was told by them that the reception would be open at 10. Our new friends were packed up and at the office bang on time, but the guy could not speak much English. So Chris said he would return later. The Dutchman told Chris that he had borrowed the campervan, but he prefered his caravan. They were off to Spain and Portugal for 5 weeks.

Egg on toast for breeky, then ou work. We had a new cat friend at this campsite, who sat on the step and then the water barrel. Still no one at reception, so had lunch and then went for a drive.

Firstly we checked out the closest train station for a trip to Paris. This was just 30 mins away, across very pretty countryside. The car parking was free, and there were trains every hour. We then headed for the main city of Beauvais.

As it was Sunday, the traffic was not to bad, so we drove right into the centre, and parked up to look at the huge cathedral. It was a lovely day, and a nice chance to stretch our legs. As we headed out we found signs for a Carrefour, but no sign of it.

Did find an automated car wash, so Chris could give Ronda a clean.

Home for dinner and a film.

A drive nearly across France

We set the alarm for this morning as we had to set off early. Our friendly cat came to say goodbye. We were off by 9.30 as we had 630km to drive to our next site. It was another sunny morning.
We managed to cross the border into France easily and were soon driving past parts of Colmar that we recognized. We passed Strasbourg, then headed West.

After 3 hours we stopped for lunch at a very nice air where I had a gorgeous salad and Chris had a hot dog. Then we were off again, listening to the first Harry Potter and playing spot the yellow car (which Chris won easily).

It seemed to take for ever, slowly watching the kilometres drop, driving past the cities, and slowly heading towards Paris. We saw lots of amazing birds of prey sitting on the fence posts waiting for a car to hit something for them to eat. We must have seen over 50.

As the sun went down, we still had several hours to go and had to put some fuel in the car.

The sat nav took us straight to the site, where we found a slightly annoyed Dutch man with his wife and motorhome, complaining that he could not find anyone at reception. Chris found a sign telling customers to find a plot themselves, set up and ring a phone number. We set up next to each other in the dark, ate and fell into bed.

A day of rest before another long journey

Chris did not sleep well, so this morning we took it easy. We had planned today to be a rest day, in preparation for our drive to Paris. It was another cold morning, but it was cloudy. I did OU work, in preparation for an essay due next week, while Chris sorted out some clothes washing and did a bit of relaxing.

For lunch I had a go at cheese and ham toasties which worked well, then we just popped out to fill up with diesel and collect our last LPG of the trip. The car took us back along the little German lanes which we like so much, to a fuel station just 15 minutes away.
A quick jaunt back, some more work and then dinner.

A day of caching and munzeeing in three different countries.

As we have not been doing very well with our caching, and had visited everywhere we wanted to in Germany, today was a circular route through Germany, Switzerland and France, picking up some caches and munzees.

It was a beautiful clear day, although a bit chilly. From the site we headed straight onto the little roads which border the fields here. So wonderful and quiet, with some great views. The first cache was in a wall around a cemetery; nice and easy. The second one was at a cross surrounded by fields of fruit bushes. Our third success in a row was at a small chapel, which had been rebuilt after being blown up during World War 1.

I could not find the caches at the next few locations, including one at the chapel built into the cliff.

We then drove back into Switzerland, and found Schloss Bottmingen, a 14th century moated castle which is now a very posh restaurant. Sadly I could not find a cache here, but Chris did find a munzee. It was a great location, and had the most wonderful lido just next door. Well worth visiting in the summer.

We then drove into France. This was a bit more tricky; the rush hour had just begun and the cars were all forced into one lane, which slowed to a crawl driving past an armed policewoman. We headed for a road which sat right next to the canal, and the Rhine. I found one cache, and then we found a location with cache and munzee. As the sun went down, we found another castle, Le Chateau de Hombourg. Across the river valley, we could see Bad Bellingen, where we were staying.

The journey across the border back into Germany was a bit extreme again, with all the traffic forced into one lane, with many policeman watching and very, very bright neon lights. The way in was OK, but the traffic coming into France included cars and lorries, and was queueing for a long way. We had hoped to fill up the bottle of LPG in the boot, but when we found the automated machine, it only took payment by Maestro card; which we did not have. As it had become very foggy, and we needed the loo, we popped into the local McDonalds for curly fries and deep fried prawns (you do not get them in the UK).

One last trip to the local supermarket for our last shop in Germany, and home.

A return to Freiburg

After a better nights sleep, and awakening to a beautiful blue sky, we were full of energy ready to drive to Freiburg this morning. It was only 23 minutes away; straight up the motorway. Our only problem was that we had no idea where we going to park. Decided to head to where we had parked the car 10 years ago, on our last visit.


The journey was easy, and we had nearly reached our planned destination, when we found the main road along the side of the river in Freiburg, full of lorries. We had no idea why there were so many of them in the centre of the town, but we did not fancy trying to cross three lanes, just to hopefully find some parking on the other side. Especially as there was some parking where we were already. So we paid at the meter, and walked towards the Munster.


We soon found the little lanes that we had walked along during our last trip, and I could not believe it when we even found a small Oriental shop, still selling the little cat china bowls that I had bought last time. So I was happy to go inside, and purchase a few more.


The river was still flowing through the town, as were the little drains at the side of the streets. There were now trams, which we did not remember; and sooooo many bicycles. We thought there had been a lot in Basel, but nothing compared to the amount here.

The Munster was covered in quite a lot of scaffolding, but was still impressive, as was the town hall. In the main square was a local market, and when we walked over to the main road, we also found a Christmas market. It does feel as if, every market is selling the same items; as we recognised many things from the Basel show.


We finally found some food at a deli near the university, and sat in the sun with the students eating their lunch. As we walked hopefully towards a cache location, we found another Yule fair, but with many of the same bits.


Our last stop was at a patisserie to pick up some gorgeous looking cake, then it was back to the car and home. Where we saw this wonderful sunset.

A drive back into the clouds, more snow and a huge cuckoo clock

Neither of us slept well, and then the beeping of the on site digger woke us rather rudely. It was cloudy, and a bit miserable, but we did our jobs, and then headed into the Black Forest.
The small roads were great fun to drive. They were in great condition, quiet and with some wonderful views.

Firstly we were heading to Feldberg. The road gradually led up into the mountains, through very lush woodland where we could see for miles. Gradually we began to see snow, and before we arrived at Feldberg, we had driven into the clouds, there was snow everywhere, and we found some ski slopes.
The road down the mountains took us to a lovely lake next to the wonderfully named Titisee, where we stopped for our picnic.

Further North we reached our destination of Triberg, where we quickly found another great car park, toilets, and the biggest cuckoo clock in the world (I am saying that last bit in my head with a gruff, low voice, trying to make it sound legendary).

The clock was above a shop which had hundreds of different cuckoo clocks for sale. It was an interesting place to see, but I could not quite decide if I would really want one; especially looking at the prices, and the very keen saleswoman.

We walked down the high street, and back up. There was not much else open, so after admiring the incredible stream that runs through the village, and our favourite car park of the holiday (so far), we headed out. This is a photo of the car park, next to the torrent of water, with a garden, benches and wooden "Easter Island" men. Why they are here in Triberg; is a mystery.

We tried to find another cuckoo clock at the next village, but with no luck. So we set off home.
The drive back was not as much fun, especially as we hit the rush hour. There was one road, which became so narrow the cars coming towards us got priority, and they did not stop; you just had to dive out and put your foot down. This same road became a dual carriageway later one. There was also a lot of traffic at the turn off for Mullhouse, with lots and lots of lorries queueing again to get across the French border.