Motor Trouble

May 25, 2024 to May 27, 2024

We are staying in Dun-sur-Meuse at a French chain called Fasthotel. It is a small property, family owned and run, and very popular. The couple who run it are very customer and service focussed. The cameraderie they have established makes it feel like we are one big happy family and that everybody knows each other.

Last night, we arrived pretty tired after a long day of riding while fighting Seavo’s motor issues. Today, we realize that we need to stay here a 2nd night to figure out a plan. One priority is to lighten our load (again). We will go through our bags and send back anything we can. One goal is to only have the trailer…no panniers…so that if we hit an area where the going is tough, like on a big hill, Barry can ride and I will push the trailer. This will give Seavo a lighter load. So we spent the day coming to the realization that items we thought were important, are no longer so.

The white dog below is staying at the hotel a few rooms down from us. Cuckoo is quite old and has many problems…uncontrolled spasms that would affect his whole body, anxiety, yet he is a beloved pet for the elderly couple who adore him. He would try to be friendly and then would have a spasm and start to bark. Finally, he flopped to the floor and calmed down.

Dogs are recognized as being part of the family in France. Most stores have a sign that dogs are welcome (on their leash) and this hotel was no exception. Many dogs are happily staying here with their family. This old fellow, 17 years young, is in the restaurant with his people for breakfast.

This one had such colour and a beautiful fragrance.

After a day of looking at alternate routes, trying to figure out if trains were an option and purging our panniers and trailer to lighten the load we realized we were hungry. Sundays in France are quite different from Germany where everything is shut down, usually from midday Saturday. In France many shops and restaurants are open until noon on Sunday. We found this Doner/Kebab place for dinner. It suited us.

We had trouble understanding the menu which was in French. Something got lost in translation as Barry ended up with a huge meal.

After breakfast tomorrow, first stop…the post office. Here’s hoping, 🤞 that we have a motor tomorrow!

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