The last days ride from Baccarat to Heillecourt was an easy 70 km, mainly downhill ride to join the Maillets for lunch on Bastille Day. Later, we went into Nancy Central for the fireworks display by the River Merthe.
The end of the ride has come and I admit I am glad. For the moment at least, I have seen enough pretty French, Belgium, Dutch, German and Danish countryside, villages, towns, cities, cows, horses, sheep and crops and people. For the record, the barley is being harvested in Northern France and the wheat has a few more weeks to go.
Everything I planned to do has been done and within the predicted timeframe. This may be a total fluke but it is nevertheless the fact of the matter.
The bike's story is also good. It is running sweetly after more than 2,200 km, one flat tyre, one new chain and rear sprocket, one change of brake pads (thanks Nol), one brake cable reconnection, and one replacement of a broken spoke. Yes Jim, I did remember to give it some oil.
I have met many nice people and my hosts in Holland (Roy and Anke), Denmark (Buller and Jette and Anders and Susan) and France (Denis and Farida) have been more than fantastic, they have allowed myself and the bike to rest sufficiently to continue. Thank you all very very much.
Special thanks to Vincent, Tony and Sophie for tolerating my absence. Also, thanks to everyone who read the blog and commented. It has been fun and has helped manage the solitude of the trip.
No apologies for the agricultural bias and the inclination for bad jokes.
It is now time to pack up the bike and to have a beer.
Au revoir,
Bernie
The end of the ride has come and I admit I am glad. For the moment at least, I have seen enough pretty French, Belgium, Dutch, German and Danish countryside, villages, towns, cities, cows, horses, sheep and crops and people. For the record, the barley is being harvested in Northern France and the wheat has a few more weeks to go.
Everything I planned to do has been done and within the predicted timeframe. This may be a total fluke but it is nevertheless the fact of the matter.
The bike's story is also good. It is running sweetly after more than 2,200 km, one flat tyre, one new chain and rear sprocket, one change of brake pads (thanks Nol), one brake cable reconnection, and one replacement of a broken spoke. Yes Jim, I did remember to give it some oil.
I have met many nice people and my hosts in Holland (Roy and Anke), Denmark (Buller and Jette and Anders and Susan) and France (Denis and Farida) have been more than fantastic, they have allowed myself and the bike to rest sufficiently to continue. Thank you all very very much.
Special thanks to Vincent, Tony and Sophie for tolerating my absence. Also, thanks to everyone who read the blog and commented. It has been fun and has helped manage the solitude of the trip.
No apologies for the agricultural bias and the inclination for bad jokes.
It is now time to pack up the bike and to have a beer.
Au revoir,
Bernie
Arrival in Nancy on Bastille Day
The Rock Concert by the River Merthe in Nancy on Bastille Day Evening
Bastille Day Evening Fireworks Display
More Bastille Day Fireworks 
Still more Bastille Day fireworks - digital camera overload (would Karsh have called it multiple critical moments?)
2 comments:
Hey Bernie, I was wondering whether you were going to change your name to Cadel?
Well done on your blog/trip, and we look forward to catching up soon.
Cheers
Peter
Your last submission sounds tired and grumpy!! Poor Bernie. I know what you mean about enough churches.. however my last stop in Metz (near Nancy) had a most wonderful light airy lacey cathedral. I recommend it to all aspiring France visitors.
Thanks for the blog... it is very entertaining. Now that I am in it it is also more interesting, haha! I noticed I didn't get the credit for the hauptbahnhof photo??
Cheers
Jacqui
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