Day 14 Mechernich-France

Some rain around early so we decided not to ride as this was our last day in Mechernich as we were heading off around lunchtime for France.

Erik, Stephan & Vareena, Stefanie Theo and their Family took us out to a Greek Restaurant for lunch. We walked down and enjoyed the food and company as we soon had to prepare the motor home for departure.

Luxury Home...

It is not easy to express in words what our friends in Mechernich have meant to us. The seeds sown six years ago over 3 days in Melbourne have been very fruitful.

 "Life is not measured by the number of breathes you take, 

but by the moments that take your breathe away."

You have taken my breathe away Erik, Stephan and Stefanie. Danke Schon! Danke Schon!

Theo, Peter & Paul

Drove down the Autobahn through South Germany and cut across into France by the Switzerland border near Mulhouse. (I was asking directions to Mull House, blank looks from the locals!! you mean Moo loose? Oui monsieur. We had better improve on our French pronunciation.

We did not want to be locked in with road closures, so our aim was to keep in front of the wagon train of motor homes that was following the tour.Our intention was to park at a certain spot then ride the remainder to our viewing point. This enables a quick exit back to the van and onto the next town.

The first night we stayed in Champagney Haute-Saone a lovely village, festivities were evident as it was Bastille Eve, and the locals were in full flight. It was now dark and raining and not being familiar with the how the followers of the tour are accommodated we decided to pull into a car wash as this had a roof which would protect us from the noise against the van. (What a pair of soft campers you are thinking). We are finely tuned athletes we need our rest.

Whilst driving we tried to obtain a fix on our location. Peter saw a sign which had Rappel on the bottom, so I searched google maps to pinpoint our position, blank no such name, Peter suggested tha I was still on my German Google Maps, so I switched over to our French Maps, still came up a blank. After 10-15 mins we saw multiple signs with RAPPEL, underneath speed signs and symbols for animals such as deers. The penny dropped our school boy French did not mention that this meant 'Reminder' or what we may use on our signs as 'Caution.'