Back in La Belle France

We set of early in pale sunshine after hanging out the washing. However, the clouds soon rolled in, with a cold wind, and we wrapped up warm, and brought the washing in when it started to rain. Pretty soon we had Luxembourg on our right side, and Germany still on the left. Here’s Luxembourg:

They obviously like wine there too:

We stopped for lunch on the quayside in a small village, and managed a little shopping for vital (low tax) supplies. Then on in lashing rain, which paused for us to top up with (cheap) diesel - the last canal or riverside filling station for a long way.

We cleared the final two locks in Germany: here’s the last:

And then reached the first castle in France:

Diana was taken by some swans:

Also by a nuclear power station, going full blast, if the steam coming out of the cooling towers is anything to judge by.

So now we are safely tied up in Thionville, after covering some 70 kilometres – a long day. It’s good to be back in France and able to talk to the lock keepers on the radio in a language I can manage, rather than struggling with German.  Everyone tells you that all Germans speak English – don’t believe it. It’s not true!

But it has been a great visit to Germany, and we have come to a whole new appreciation of the country and its people.  No wonder they dominate Europe!