Europe

Sunday 13th September 2026 – a visit to Lucerne….

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Still heading south, we briefly crossed into Germany for a short distance and using the wonderful Swiss motorway network, soon made our way into Lucerne. Finding parking near the station on the lakeside, we made our way on foot into the beautiful (and busy) city….

We were totally captivated by Chapel Bridge, built in 1333 it is the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe and the interior roof features original 17th C paintings by local artist Wagmann. Approx two thirds of the original bridge was destroyed by fire in 1993 which was quickly restored and re-opened….

After crossing the bridge we enjoyed a leisurely stroll around the city before taking a break to enjoy the beauty of the lakeside views…

It was soon time for us to move on and continue up into the mountains to our campsite at Innertkirschen for a few days…

Daily stats:

  • Miles driven – 136
  • Miles walked – 5
  • C/P – £4.20
  • O/N – £28.95

Saturday 12th September 2026 – a visit to Colmar….

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After an uneventful driving day and overnight stop in the CCP in Amneville yesterday we continued on for a few miles to Colmar. After finding free parking behind a large supermarket on the outskirts we wandered into the old city centre…

The main hub was very crowded but as is generally the case it was possible to wander the smaller back alleys unhindered. The day was very hot so it was a relief to find the narrow lanes providing plenty of shade….

Meandering the streets we made our way to the Little Venice area of Colmar and enjoyed the colourful canals and beautiful architecture of the surrounding streets before heading back to the van….

A short drive took us to the Ils du Rhin, a long thin strip of land literally on the french / german border, sandwiched between the Rhine and the Canal d’Alsace and our CCP for the night.

We enjoyed a nice evening stroll along the pretty deserted island taking in the fine profile of Stephanmunster, an imposing building on the opposite side of the Rhine in Breisach, Germany before settling in for the evening….

Friday 11th Stats:

  • Miles driven – 198
  • Miles walked – 4
  • Fuel – £98.98
  • O/N – £13.78

Saturday 12th Stats:

  • Miles driven – 152
  • Miles walked – 7
  • Groceries – £14.52
  • O/N – £11.96

Thursday 10th September 2026 – Dover to Calais and then onto Ath in Belgium….

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An early start to our day paid off as we got to Dover in really good time and got put onto the 8.15 crossing ahead of the booked 9.45 one. Absolutely no delays going through customs at Dover and we drove straight off the ferry and straight onto the road network system without seeing a soul! So much so that we pulled up at a the first service area outside Calais to get our bearings, set the Sat Nav and change the van settings to Kilometres.

We made good headway using the toll free route via Dunkirk and Lille and after one aborted mission to access an Aire in Lessines, where the access road was being dug up with no obvious alternative route we bobbed a few miles back down the road to an Aire in Ath. It was an unusual Aire (CCP) having started life as a recycling plant, where you reversed into the slots that would have sited the skips but the concrete walls had all been painted with murals – sorry forgot to take a photo.

Once settled we wandered along the banks of La Dendre Canal and into the town of Ath….

A vibrant university town with a buzzing Grand Place, alive with people enjoying the afternoon sun and a drink or two….

Some weird sort of totems in a courtyard caught our eye but no clue as to what or why….

And of course a fine church – St Juliens and a medieval Tower – Burbant….

A pleasant walk after a longish day.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 139
  • Miles walked – 4
  • O/N – £11.18