Sunday 7th June
There were ten participants on this centre based holiday. The base was at the Hotel du Commerce in Clervaux, Luxembourg. We all left Basingstoke on Sunday 7th June early morning to drive to Dover. David H, Gary and Ray caught an earlier DFDS ferry than intended and crossed to Calais before driving direct to Clervaux. Of the remaining seven David, Mick and Sue C caught an earlier ferry (P&O) to Calais. John R, Helena, Rod and Sue P caught the scheduled crossing on P&O. The seven drove to an overnight stop in France at the Hotel Le Moulin in Artres. This was an ivy clad building and very French. The hotelier kept their own bees and dinner was served at one table for all the residents, so we had two German couples joining us. Excellent food, the main course being lamb shank.
Monday 8th June
This found those in Artres setting out for a short cycle of 15 miles with 204 metres of ascent through the local countryside. Crossing the D114 we had a long downhill section of French pave before Ruesnes after which we followed and crossed the railway returning on the V31 Greenway. We then loaded our bikes and set off for the three hour drive to Clervaux. Those in Clervaux did their own thing – Gary an 81 mile cycle while Ray and David H did much shorter excursions locally. We all came together on Monday evening for dinner at the Hotel du Commerce.
Tuesday 9th June
All ten of us set out after breakfast for a ride north of Clervaux starting from the hotel. There were two routes starting off and finishing together, one of 23 miles another of 40 miles. Taking the PC21 Cycle path du Nord northwards to visit the Jewish memorial at Cinqfontaine. From August 1941 the majority of Jews still living in Luxembourg were sent there on the orders of the Gestapo. This ‘Jewish Retirement Home’ is right next to the railway line used to transport the Jews to Auschwitz. A memorable and moving place.
We continued through Troisvierges to join the Vennbahn Railtrail, one of the longest cycle tracks in Europe. After about 12 miles the group split at Huldange. The shorter group to take refreshments at Chez Max in Weiswampach, Luxembourg. The longer route took us to the highest point in Luxembourg, the Kneiff Hill near Huldange topped by a windmill. The longer route was devoid of cafes etc but for a terrasse with chairs and tables with a coffee dispensing machine at Oudler about 24 miles in. Between us we managed to find enough change to get coffee for all. Turning south we rejoined the Vennbahn to Lengeler where we found that the route took in a busy narrow main road so we went off route continuing on the Vennbahn and came across a closed tunnel so had to deviate again to find our way back onto the route that we had taken out of Clervaux the PC21. The shorter route ended up as 26 miles with 700m of ascent, the longer 41 miles with 1,023 m of ascent. The hotel sauna and pool was a welcome relief.
In the evening, we strolled the whole 100 yards into the centre and dined at the Italian restaurant Da Nonna (in English ‘Grandma’s house). Excellent fare and very large portions. Afterwards Helena organised a game of Crowns at the hotel for those interested.
Wednesday 10th June
We drove for 30 minutes into Bastogne, Belgium to start a 28 mile ride. Again, the weather was on our side, dry although cold, only 12°. We started out along the W9 cycle way, an old railway line which crosses three countries. We turned off onto lanes to reach our refreshment break at Le Bohey Brasserie a really superb and busy café. We turned west taking the RAVeL164 passing through the Wiltz and Winseler railway tunnels before returning to Bastogne. 27.9 miles with 745m of ascent.
After the ride we drove just outside of Bastogne to visit the War Museum. This museum tells the history of the Battle of the Bulge (the Ardennes Offensive) and particularly the impact on Bastogne. It includes two rooms that are in effect theatres each with a 10 minute presentation.
The evening found us returning to Da Nonna for our dinner and another few rounds of Crowns at the hotel.
Thursday 11th June
This was our last cycle, starting from the hotel and heading south. It was another cold day and the first where we had a couple of light showers en route but very light and we were soon dry again. There were two rides, one of 22 miles and the other of 32 miles both starting and finishing on the same route. The route started with a very long and steep climb out of Clervaux. However, we had only gone a few hundred yards when we found the road closed and blocked. Gary found a way round for us but we had to carry the bikes up a steep flight of steps outside the church before continuing the climb. This took us up to the Abbaye Saint-Maurice, a Benedictine monastery built 1909 to 1910 also known as Clervaux Abbey. The route took us along lanes and through Boevange before turning onto a rough track of about two miles all of which was downhill. At the bottom the routes parted, the shorter following the route back to Clervaux. Those taking the longer route joined the National Cycle Route 20 through Wiltz and Merkholtz. A good café was found - the Boulangerie Pekara Furra at Wiltz. Turning north we followed the railway line back to Clervaux. The longer route was 31.78 miles with 926m of ascent.
Most took the opportunity to explore the town and sites in Clervaux before dinner at the hotel for our last night followed by another session of cards for those still awake.
Friday 12th June
This saw us all packing up for our return. David H, Gary and Ray left to return to Calais and home while Rod and Sue P departed for a short break in Belgium. John R, Helena, Sue C, Mick and David left to stay overnight in France. To break the journey, they firstly visited the War rooms in Bastogne located in the town. We then visited Douai city to see the Belfry before heading on to our overnight stay at Gosnay in France. Our hotel was situated in the grounds of a Chateau hotel and on arrival we were advised that we had been moved into the Chateau at no extra cost. This Hotel was a superb example of a French Chateau. It also had an interesting history. Built in 1320 for monks with many links to the French monarchy. In the grounds were two restaurants and we visited the Distillerie which served a varying menu from fresh oysters to beef tartare made up by the staff at the table.
Saturday 13th June
In the morning, we reluctantly took our leave to drive for an hour to Calais, board the ferry and return home.