I am a bit out of sync now because we had no wifi but this is the story up to the ‘almost drowned in a dyke day’.<\/p>\n
The campsite at Lucerne was on the lake and very near to the city, to get there we drove through the Swiss Alps as it started to snow. \u00a0It’s funny how exciting it is to see the snow on the mountains, first there’s a peak in the distance that looks white and you’re saying, that looks like snow, then there’s just a little dusting like icing sugar on the trees, roofs and fields then suddenly you’re in the clouds and there’s snow everywhere, it’s like you’re driving through a Christmas card. \u00a0We giggled like children all the way to Lucerne! \u00a0Unfortunately when we arrived and the campsite it was sleet and rain and 2 degrees. \u00a0We are sleeping in the tent on top of the van and so we thought it would be a bit chilly but luckily we have heating that works when we are plugged into the electricity, the only problem being not touching the sides when it’s raining. \u00a0That’s not an issue in the bell tent but when there’s only 4 feet to share it’s a bit hard. \u00a0We survived the night but the duvet was wet by the morning. \u00a0We turned the heating up high, stripped the bed and washed and dried the bedding and clothes and everything. \u00a0 Then we took a leisurely stroll into the city.<\/p>\n
Lucerne is beautiful, there was a marathon and there was loads going on, \u00a0marching bands, drummers, alpine horn bands, food stalls and all sorts. \u00a0The lake itself is crystal clear, we could have got a boat from the campsite but the walk was amazing, the city vibrant and full, absolutely full of chocolate and cake shops!<\/p>\n
We left Lucerne to travel to Beaune in France because we have never been there! \u00a0 We arrived in the afternoon, it was was pouring with sleet and freezing cold so we popped to the local supermarket because the shops were closed and bought something for supper. \u00a0There were no other people at the campsite and it took several goes to make the electricity work. \u00a0 There were 2 toilet blocks within 30 metres of the van, one was outside and one inside with heating but unisex, I forgot to tell R that the other building was a heated block when he went for his shower so he had one outside and nearly froze. \u00a0It was still dark when we woke up and still pouring with rain so we didn’t move out of the van. In fact we were both a bit down and decided that we had had enough of being wet, cold and tired so we would forgo the rest of the journey and go home. \u00a0 We stayed in all day went to bed and the next day it wasn’t raining so we went into the town for an explore. \u00a0There was a tiny artisanal market in the spare and we were tempted by the guy selling cheese that his grandfather made in the mountains, well we decided to buy some cheese, some olives and the most delicious spread made from cream, basil and garlic, the man handed us the bag and said that will be \u20ac75 please. \u00a0The colour drained from R’s face as he reluctantly handed over the money. \u00a0Oh well at least it’s Euro not pounds he said as I cheerfully pointed out that it’s still 70 quid! \u00a0We will bring one back for Christmas and eat the blue, which \u00a0had ashes not mould with bread and a chilled bottle of local wine.<\/p>\n
A little picture of us, we are sitting in Vanley, the blinds are down and the cover is over the windscreen, the front seats are turned and the table is out, on said table is the cheese with ashes, French bread, superb olives, amazing cheese, a tapenade made of garlic and basil and \u00a0wine. \u00a0This is time we miss our Yorkshire Lass and her hypochondriac golfer.<\/p>\n
We left Beaune for Riquewihr in the morning and after about an hour and half of travelling we were flashed by blue light on a motorcycle and told to pull onto the roundabout. \u00a0We were surrounded by three men in uniform, one leaning through the window asking for our papers. \u00a0We keep our documents in the back so R got out and the dog had a fit cos people were peering in and I couldn’t remember where we had come from, where we were going or why. \u00a0Eventually I remembered how to talk and explained, showed them the passports and the dog passport (the only time so far that we’ve been asked) while they inspected Vanley. \u00a0They didn’t explain why they’d stopped us but we have tinted windows and it’s not clear what kind of vehicle we have. \u00a0They had a good nose inside and one said to the other, I told you it was a camper, they were really friendly and decided Sunny looked like paddington bear. \u00a0We seem to be stopped because they were nosey!<\/p>\n
We arrived in Riquewihr and the camper stop was closed but there was a lovely campsite nearby so we checked in there.<\/p>\n
Riquewihr is a real live version of a Disney town, it’s mediaeval in parts and so pretty we were snapping photos like Japanese tourists. \u00a0The streets were cobbles and everywhere you looked was so beautiful we could have spent days there. \u00a0We went into a Christmas shop and bought some totally unnecessary things and realised that we has spent more time than expected which meant we were late leaving to get to Luxembourg where we intended to stop the night. \u00a0The drive through the Black Forest was spectacular and the views amazing, definitely somewhere we want to come back to, the whole day was so lovely it made us decide we still want to continue and go to the Christmas markets in Germany.<\/p>\n
We were heading to Holland to see my Auntie L.<\/p>\n
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I am a bit out of sync now because we had no wifi but this is the story up to the ‘almost drowned in a dyke day’. The campsite at Lucerne was on the lake and very near to the city, to get there we drove through the Swiss Alps as it started to snow. … <\/p>\n