Day 8 - Givet France - 53 kms "Vive la France` !

From the winds of Belgium to the cobblestones of France all in 24 hours !

After yesterdays punishment it was nice to sleep in a little and use the opportunity to ring both our Mums (and my Wife) to wish them a happy mothers day back in Australia.

Needless to say that by the time we were ready to depart the rain had once again descended upon us giving us only a limited chance to view the impressive fort overlooking this once citadel town as we rode out.

It was great to relieve the aching muscles by cycling at a subdued pace alongside the river Meuse sometimes on road and sometimes on bike paths although when the cobblestones came into play we were quickly back on the road.

With the history of the area having a lot to do with WW1 & WW2 (Battle of the Bulge) it wasn't too surprising to be passed on road by a convoy of WW2 US trucks and jeeps heading for some commemorative event.

We stopped en route at the beautiful town of Dinant largely rebuilt since WW1, with its impressive church and fort on a steep hill overlooking this lovely town.

Cycling along the Meuse river valley is a delight giving views of evergreen forests and impressive almost châteaux like buildings as the closer we got to the French border.

H ready to sing La Marseilles, was disappointed when our gps indicated our border crossing and not a sign anywhere to indicate we had passed into France !

Arrival Givet another fortress town, was a delight, original French buildings and a poignant memorial on the towns bridge that highlighted the US liberation in 1944. H secured our hotel just back from the river another superlative effort and another night not camping (its still too cold & wet) !

We had time to clean up and walk around the town first using pretty average sign language to order sausage and chips (eating by the river) and 2nd following up with some French pastries from the local bolangerie sitting in the towns marvellous but petite town square.

Tomorrow we take the scenic trans Ardennes path heading towards Verdun over the next 2 days ... and again the forecast is for showers !