Saverne

Uncategorized 2 Minutes

Well that was a lovely stop! Sylvie came out to see us off ( middle, ) and a couple of others we met at breakfast. Or just checking on us

Niderviller has a factory still operating making roofing tiles. The chimneys have seen better days
We start climbing as soon as we leave the village. The road will take us to the top of the Vosge plateau
Walked the last part 😩 At least someone is pleased we made it
Then down down down to the valley floor and the village of Arzviller.
The canal went under this last hill through the Arzviller tunnel. 2.7k long
Over 120 years ago

We are now going to follow the old route down the valley. 19 locks ( écluse). Long closed down and replaced by one incredible sliding lock. They’ve made a cycleway down it like no other

This lass has just come up it. Quite a haul ! She’s tenting and is on her way to the Loire like us ,but by another route
1000s of tons a day passed through the valley . The lock keepers families and the barge owners had a special bond and the bargies would drop them off coal or wine in exchange for fresh vegetables or meat ( note the pink sandstone cliffs )
It’s more tourism that uses the canals now and here is the Arzviller sliding lock. Incredible! Instead of at least half an hour per lock, it descends 40 metres in half an hour
Down they come, several at a time while boats wait around for their turn to go up
Heading down again and this railway bridge is a good example of the local sandstone
The village of Lutzelbourg. The buildings and gardens have more of a German look now as we approach the Alsace region
But the pastries still looked ( and tasted ) French. It’s such a pretty town
Funny but the rain comes just about mid day. We really shouldn’t muck about so much. At least it was warm and we’re only 4kms from Saverne
We’ve got an apartment here in a block of houses . We must be a novelty because 2 came down to help us find the owner until a neighbour took us in for coffee while we waited for someone to arrive
Edith and her dog Rolly, she invited Elaine her friend and neighbour to join us after we had exhausted most of our French. Elaine spoke a little English.She’s 93 and still drives

Isn’t it marvellous what you can learn in half an hour over coffee

Unknown's avatar

Published by Wallis Don

Published