6 July 2018 Cochem

Washing again first thing then a cycle into Cochem to have a guided tour of the Castle – interesting.
Lunch then another cycle along the banks of the Mosel, a good day.
30 June / 3 July 2018 Camping Sonneneck, Boppard
Difficult journey up to outskirts of Frankfurt, 3 hours and had difficulty in the forests and narrow roads looking for campsite. No phone signal and satnav started playing up so abandoned search and headed for Boppard.

After a five hour travelling day arrived at a very busy campsite but were given a good pitch and have settled in quite well. After a very late lunch got the bikes out and explored the area between here and St. Goar – a 2 hour cycle.

Next day bikes out again and cycled down to Boppard town to get some bread for lunch. Did some washing and removed our fly collection from the front of the van. After lunch cycled up to Rhens.
Monday did a bit of washing then cycled to Koblenz – 40 kms – wow. Stopped at a lovely bar next to the river for a couple of extra large Fantas – we needed it. Had some lunch back at the campsite and after a rest cycled to Boppard, this time only 10 kms. Sat by the Rhein people and boat watching.

Tuesday did some machine washing with all the big stuff then just the short cycle to Boppard for some bread for tea.
28 – 29 June 2018 Camper Berger Cologne
Difficult drive down the motorways are busy and this was an unrestricted speed limit road. Arrived lunch time and cycled down the side of the Rhine into Cologne. Good afternoon looking at the sights it’s so easy cycling as bikes are allowed in the precincts. Got lots of info from passing guides.
Next day cycle again into Cologne for a cycle in the back streets a fab day. Cycled up the side of the Rhine in the afternoon in the other direction, gosh HOT.
28 – 29 June 2018 Camper Berger Cologne

Difficult drive down the motorways are busy and this was an unrestricted speed limit road. Arrived lunch time and cycled down the side of the Rhine into Cologne.
Good afternoon looking at the sights it’s so easy cycling as bikes are allowed in the precincts. Got lots of info from passing guides.
Next day cycle again into Cologne for a cycle in the back streets a fab day. Cycled up the side of the Rhine in the afternoon in the other direction, gosh HOT. Its not birds you need to worry about pooing on your windows see below.
27 June 2018 – Camping Grimbergen, Brussels
Cycle day again followed 3 cycle routes to get us to The Botanical Gardens. What a lovely day out, the greenhouse was spectacular with walkways up in the air to look down on the forest of trees. The lilly pads were at their best.
The castle was open for a walkabout with an exhibition on. We then walked around the grounds and stopped for a cold drink.

On the way back stopped for a look in the Basilica in Grimbergen.
26 June 2018 – Camping Grimbergen, Brussels
Bus into city today for a look around. Went into the cathedral although we have visited it before. Still think this cathedral is very interesting.
Had a coffee in the main square. On our walk around the streets we are amazed how the Mannekin Pee attracts so many people? Whilst in the square we saw a chip van giving free pommes frites and the queue was so long it went all the way to Ghent and not a Yorkshire man in sight!!!!
25 June 2018 camping Grimbergen Brussels

Busy drive down arrived early. Bikes out and cycled down to one of the most spectacular sights in Brussels. Only 1/2 hour cycle from campsite on cycle paths FAB.

Saw this sculpture on our cycle route
24 June 2018 Camping Memling Bruges

Out on the Bikes this morning for a cycle up into Damme what an interesting morning.
Coffee then a visit to look round an actual working windmill a chat to the guy looking after it for the day and a donation got us a lovely chart of all the windmills in Belgium and a comic Suske en Wiske (see link) Suske en Wiske that had some info in the story about forts used in the area during the 800 year war. Then cycled into Bruge again then back to the site.
23 June 2018 Camping Memling Bruges

Tunnel train delayed slightly but managed to get to the campsite in time for our booking.
Got the bikes out and cycled in and around Bruges. Saw some lovely sights including one very much a topic at the moment on saving the seas from plastic.
Cycling around this town you have to keep your teeth together (bumpy cobbles).