2018-07-03 Alsace Wine Route Ensch to Calais

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Alsace Wine Route Ensch to Calais

Alsace Wine Route by Motorhome

Make an early start from Ensch as we must make it to Calais by tonight, it is 430km, more driving than we normally like.

We set the alarm for 6.30am, the sun is already up and hot and the barges are gliding down the Mosel river. We service the Hymer before we leave, emptying the cassette and grey water and filling with drinking water and leave our lovely location at Ensch, perhaps the best of the whole trip.

We take the little A1 road north to the E42 motorway standard all the way into Belgium, via Leige and stop for lunch at a small Aire at the side of a wood (Aire de Amoulgies). It has not been cared for, for many years, there are old concrete tables and stools for picnics with tall grass almost covering them and a toilet block long since locked up. The grass is cut in the layby and it is pleasant under the trees.

I was greatly puzzled by the route, google maps should have taken us through Luxembourg, so we could fill up with cheaper diesel, but it actually took us through Belgium. I suspect that I was not paying full attention when I set the route going and by the time I did notice it was too late to change it without a substantial detour.

Back on our way towards Tournai and from Belgium into France. We stay on the E42 almost the whole way, on the ring road around Lille. We stop at the U Hypermarket at Nieppe, it is very, very hot. We purchase a selection of cheeses (including Beaufort, Salles, the soft Munster and Maroilles quart, jamon and Crémant de Bourgogne. Back on our way we head for Dunkirk and the A27 to Calais, arriving late afternoon/early evening.

We park up at Gravelot Aire for €10/night and have a late supper before an early night. Our Alsace Wine Tour seems to have ended rather abruptly and I’m having withdrawal symptoms. The mixed feelings about finishing a trek and going home come upon me.

Our trek through the Alsace tasting wine

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Summary of motorhome journey