We start our cycling: Metz to Lac de Madine

Tues 15th

We leave Metz today - by bike. Well, that's the plan. Today is Ascension Day in France - a public holiday.

We have had a wonderful time with Erika and Knud.

The boys spent part of yesterday afternoon fixing bikes - by now David's bike had both tyres punctured plus his bike and mine needed lights fixing.

Afterwards they finally got to do some sightseeing in this pretty town. The cathedral is a highlight.

After the walk into town yesterday, it was drinks up on deck plus some wonderful cheese I had bought earlier in the covered market in town (Marché Couvert) at the ridiculous price of around 6€ (which would be well over $30 back home).

Then off again into town for dinner; it was very busy with people, very lively. We managed to 'snag' a great bistro and enjoyed good food, good company and some good Bordeaux red from St-Émilion.

Back near the boat a light show using fountains and coloured Impressionist painter themes amused us for another hour - absolutely wonderful.

After a relaxed breakfast, we set off with Erika (leaving Knud to install his new hot water service) and she led us out of town along a dirt canal path which was attractive although pretty bumpy at times. I'm glad we had her assistance as it was much farther out to the Moselle than I thought but we got there just as the first of the expected drops of rain arrived and we ducked in and out of rain all day until the sun came out quite hot mid-afternoon.

We said our farewells and started south along the Véloroute Charles Le Téméraire and via lots of tiny villages (think: pots filled with flowers, a small church, a boulangerie - closed today due to public holiday - and old buildings with coloured shutters) and hills to the American War Cemetery at Thiaucourt.

Then to the American Monument at Montsec which required quite a decent climb; finally, onto our stop for today at Heudicourt Sous Les Cotes near Lac de Madine. The last number of kilometeres passed through the Mirabelle area - famous for plums which we were offered to try in the village of Montsec when I stopped to take a photo.

Ride: 65 kms today.