Europe by van Day 31

We had a quiet night at our beautiful free parking spot high above the Mosel.

It was decided that we had enough time to visit Trier, about 30 minutes away. There was a convenient place to park the van by the river. Some passengers, mostly elderly, were disembarking from two river cruise boats. Most got onto buses for a ride into town but a few walked.

We enjoyed our stroll into the old centre as not many people were about yet. Some of the centre had suffered like a lot of places at home with concrete 60s and 70s shops. Large groups of Viking River Cruise people were being led by people holding up a flag. We made our way round to Karl Marx birthplace (seemed appropriate as I’d visited his last resting place in Highgate Cemetery!) It’s a museum now, explaining the history of socialism and communism across the world. There was a card with one of Freda Kahlo’s paintings on it. Also a copy of a photo of Simone De Beauvoir and Satre with Castro while on a visit to Cuba. I’ve read most of her work but hadn’t realised she’s gone there. From there we walked towards the Roman ruins and then on the way back to the van bought some milk, yogurt and bread. I’ve been surprised by how many young women in Germany smoke. It’s quite unusual at home now.

After a sandwich in the van we set off. We entered Luxembourg and filled up with cheaper fuel, and got rid of black waste at the services free of charge before entering Belgium.

The day has been overcast but brightened up during the afternoon when we reached our free P4N by some forest walks near Bastogne, Belgium. The Dahl I made last night was very good. What tonight I wonder?

104 miles today.