Within a days cycling that tiny puddle at the source of the Moselle has already grown to a sizeable river!What an easy start to the day a cyclists dream downhill on a smooth green way cycle path through rural France with the wind initially also helping us. There was even a public toilet on the route,sheer luxury and it was one of those fancy ones that cleans itself. So in no time at all well 2 1/2 hours due to hubbys photographic stops we reached Remiremont for coffee. Beautiful old square and how wonderful to get 2 large cups of chocolate and hubbys expresso for the pricely sum of 5 euros, you couldn’t even get 1 cup in Switzerland for that price.Very friendly coffee shop.

As we were checking out the sights hubby decided to fill his water bottle up at the water fountain. He took a  big gulp and said its terrible its so, so chlorinated. I looked at the fountain and then saw the big notice “eau non potable” . This was not Switzerland with its wonderful drinking fountains everywhere. Water bottle was emptied out and luckily there was a super market open to buy a big litre bottle of water to replenish his contaminated water bottles.Hubby is just looking a little chlorinated now.

We followed another couple cycling with panniers out of Remiremont so we were able to check we were going the right way, no green way path now. We also started undulating on a country road so effort was now required. 8kms later we arrived at our designated lunch stop, it was a very quiet village . Then I saw the Boulangerie was open with a board outside advertising rabbit as dish of the day, yes we were going to get lunch. We started to get bikes locked up when the blackboard got taken in, I rushed over ,it was 1pm so now ferme/shut no lunch there.

Further down the village I saw a pizzeria advertised so we thought that will have to do but when we went in it was like a normal french restaurant. Hubby went for the very finely sliced raw beef slices with salad and chips beef very tasty, and my chicken was equally good. Always a struggle to get back on the bike after lunch but we set off. No accommodation options now till Epinal so it was going to be a 60km plus day.

We cycled into Epinal  past military barracks, this has always been a military town throughout history.  Napoleons ill fated attack on the Russians left from here and he is said to haunt the castle ruins on the date the army left. Huge 2nd world war battles here and many Americans killed trying to liberate the area so a large American cemetry also.Epinal is also famous for its wood block prints since the 1700s but as shops aren’t open we havent seen any.

As we approached Epinal streets were shut off from cars and streets were packed with people Epinal was having a street festival so there were acts on everywhere. This meant , you guessed it the hotels in the centre of the old town were full, one hotel directed us to the Ibis who werent full and as it was Sunday very reasonable rates.

Hubby was very happy as the Ibis has air conditioning, last time we had airconditioning was in Germany.

Out to see some of the festival and the sights in Epinal, pretty town.

Voting day today in France but very little election activity visible.

Ibis hotel stay at weekend for cheap rates  66euros double room

Epinal

France