Onwards: 4 Countries in 7 Days... Brussels, Belgium to Alsace, France (25 June to 3 July 2014)

In this post we continue our initial cycling journey towards Alsace, France... starting out again from Brussels where we had rested and visited sites for 3 days.

On the outskirts of Brussels we saw some interesting architecture.

Bodhi in for a pit stop.

followed by some aerials.

These planes were descending upon Brussels International Airport and caught Bodhi's full attention.  They passed no more than 20 meters above us.

stopped for a picnic in Tervuren Forest outside Brussels.

a post-lunch walkabout.

Bodhi making friends in Namur, now in the French-speaking part of Belgium, Wallonie.

Namur, looking tranquil at the confluence of these two rivers (Meuse and Sambre).  Anything but!  Drivers here have little respect for cyclists and people are quite rude.  Quite the opposite from Flemish Belgium.

We followed this river bike trail for 30km along the Meuse.

afternoon along the Meuse.

Near Dinant we were hosted by this lovely WS couple, Michel and Karen.  They prepared us a nice meal and we shared plenty of travel stories.

There is nothing - NOTHING -  like cold 8% dark Belgian beer after a long hard day of cycling!

The team pictured at Michel and Karen's house.

The gorgeous riverside setting of Dinant.

Climbing up out of Dinant, Bodhi had a meltdown (probably from the heat) and Jeff took him for a walk in the woods.

striking horses seen roadside in Wallonie.

Mammy and Bodhi having a lie-in in camp.

The Hayfield Breastfeed.

Wallonie may not have the friendliest people on the planet, but it is full of gorgeous country road cycling through woods and villages.

Our good luck with the weather stopped in Wallonie!  We hit some cold rain; here are Katy and Bodhi hiding from it during a midday break.

Wallonie has more bicycles used as flower planters than it does actual bicycles being ridden.  For all that, we appreciate the aesthetic.

Now in Luxembourg, the rain continues... by now we are very wet and everything is damp.

Bodhi doesn't seem to mind the rain but his walking breaks have become more complex due to the weather...

now close to Luxembourg City.

Bodhi was happy to get to Luxembourg City, where we have a WS host waiting for us...

Christine, with whom we stayed 2 nights, sharing great meals, good stories and plenty of laughs.

Christine is something of a bike warrior!

The classic flag of the (old) Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

atmospheric art installation in the city centre.

The city, small and quiet, has its charms.

enjoying their walkabout.

and here we are above the riverside fortifications that make Luxembourg a unique European capital.

The city has its priorities straight: setting up a big screen in the main square for......

World Cup football matches!  Bodhi loves the scene.

leaving Luxembourg on a gorgeous day.

Bodhi's first sighting of ostriches.

The River Moselle.

From Luxembourg we entered Germany by crossing the River Moselle.  And my were we in for a treat: Germany's bike paths, signage, and maps and information are a world above that of the neighboring countries.

Katy on a long sweaty climb out of the Moselle Valley

countryside between the Moselle and Saar rivers.

Katy and Bodhi happy with our campsite next to an apple orchard, near the Saar River.

Bodhi reads about ponies.

I think we have a new favorite supermarket: Kaufland.  Yes, its ugly, its a giant box, and most of the customers are overweight.  But for two hungry cyclists running from Luxembourg's prices, this is almost heaven.  For 13 euros we nearly filled our panniers with biscuits, pretzels, dark bread, chocolate, etc.

You gotta love Germany: probably the only country which duly informs cyclists where all the nearest beer gardens are located!

Daddy drinks dark German beer and Bodhi runs amuk.

scenes along the Saar River, now in  Sarregemuines, France.....

Katy in the hills of Lorraine.

Our first night in France features a belter of a campsite.

we passed near a famous glassblowing town (St. Louis-des-Bitches)

now in Alsace!

arriving in the village of our first long stop on this trip: Offwiller, Alsace.  Happy to be welcomed by loads of flowers.

Offwiller, which sits above the surrounding farmlands, is filled with charming old Alsatian half-timbered houses.  We will be here for 3 weeks at our first WWOOF stop of many.