Tuesday 20 December we left Hardenberg towards Wezep. Our caravan received a density measurement from the dealer there for the warranty. After Wezep we drove on to Winterswijk. At camping de Vreehorst we stood there for a night, unfortunately in the rain. We ate delicious lasagna at Ron, Milinda, Hugo and Joep in the evening. It’s lovely to leave with a good meal. We also went to Rudolf's father in the nursing home. Just a last cup of coffee before departure.
Wednesday 21 December on the way in Germany
It has never happened to us, driving through Germany without traffic jams. Of course there were roadworks in various places, but it was nevertheless quiet on the highway. At first we wanted to drive on to Strasbourg, but the campsite in question was full. Fortunately we called in advance, then we called the first campsite in the neighbourhood. Reception was already closed at 4pm, so we got a code for a locker. The great thing is, when we hung up Rudolf asked Lianne if she had understood. Fortunately yes. And luckily at 16.15 there was also an employee who watched with us. Everything went well, with the code and locker and gate opening. Camping St. Leoner See, under the smoke of Hockenheim, is located on a large lake. Where even on a rainy day there was just sports. A large campsite with many permanent pitches, and also plenty of space for tourist campers. On Thursday morning Rudolf went for a walk with Misty before leaving. Upon returning, he was almost no longer allowed to enter the campsite. Dogs were not allowed on this part. Fortunately, no one told us that the day before and we were able to just let Misty stay illegally. In the end they could also laugh at the reception, especially because Misty is not the smallest dog (a Great Dane).
Thursday 22 December on the way to Riquewihr
Thursday it was only a short drive towards the campsite at Riquewihr, just above Colmar. There was some storm and gusts predicted, so we drove quietly. We also stood at this campsite last year and we liked it and we know that the sanitary facilities are good. We weren't alone. Unlike the previous campsites, there were many motorhomes and caravans here. This period is also high season and that is due to the many Christmas markets in the area. We were the only Dutch, besides the French, Germans, Belgians, Spaniards. Very nice such an international company. Last year we met a couple from Haarlem here during the summer holidays. They had sold their house and had been travelling with the caravan for a year and now on the way back. Unfortunately, we no longer know what they are called, except that they are from Haarlem, had bought a boat/roofed. But they did make us think and see the result.
The days before Christmas
Unfortunately, it rained again on the 23rd of December. Keeping the caravan clean is almost no beginning. Still, we clean the floor every day and remove the worst mud on the stepping stone in front of the caravan. There is a lot of clay soil in Alsace, which is good for the grapes, but less pleasant in terms of mud formation Rudolf accidentally finds (in the waste bin), if it exists at all, an old green walk-in mat and we put it in front of the caravan. That saves a lot of mud in the caravan. In the afternoon we go to the Christmas market in Eguisheim, just below Colmar. There is a nice traditional Christmas market there. The village is attractively lit, there are many delicacies to taste and buy. We can't resist a real Christmas turban and take it with us. December 24 is all about Christmas shopping
Christmas in France
Christmas starts in France on Christmas Eve. Shops close earlier and the reception at the campsites is also closing earlier. Of course we could watch ‘All you need is Love’, but we choose a Netflix series ‘Julestorm’. A nice series about a group of people who get stuck at the airport in Oslo. Christmas Day is the brightly beautiful weather. We choose to take a walk into the hills with Misty to a village further up. On such a beautiful day you can see extra well how beautiful this environment is. Vineyards as far as you can see, on top of the hills you look at the Schwarzwald in Germany in clear weather, friendly-looking villages through the landscape. We tell each other that we can stay here............, but of course we don't (yet). On Boxing Day we drive on, in the rain, south. All day is rain, rain, rain. It just doesn't stop. Until we are in Lyon. There we stay one night at campsite Des Barolles, in Lyon South. A campsite located 20 minutes from the centre of Lyon, with bus stop on your doorstep. We don't, we drive further south. On to the heat and the blue skies..........
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