September 10, 2017
Mettlach: A day of two halves
Ken Writes
Our meal was a strange one of filled rolls in the room, we skipped the hotel breakfast expecting to get something in the city but nothing was open. So we set off on this cold and foggy morning with only a cup of tea or coffee. The first 20km or more were miserable riding through massive industry, busy roads and rail all crammed into the narrow Saar Gorge. This was a coal mining area - I don't know if any persists but industry is certainly still here and in a big way. There were power plants and other factories with lots of steam coming out.
Add to this poor light, my misted up glasses, severe cold and no gloves. The good thing was an excellent and completely safe track
Our first break came at Saarlouis where we followed a sign to the city. With the help of a local man with whom we had no common language we found a very active and warm Backerie where we joined the que and got a huge coffee and two excellent pastries each.
About this time the mist began to clear and eventually the sun came out for a while this afternoon. We also moved into more forest and farm with several market gardens. The last 10 to 15 km where very nice including a remote horseshoe bend of the Saar deep in forest. It is a very popular area for walking and biking and there is a ferry across the river
Then into Mettlach which is a gem and the base of Villeroy and Boch the porcelain makers. They have outlet shops open even on Sunday and their headquarters and museum is in an old monastery
Tricia Writes
The Villeroy and Boch outlet shop was amazing. Ken minded the bikes and I went in. He reminded me we were on bikes and already carrying china I bought in Gien so if I did get anything it had to be tiny. Well I suppose a couple of coffee mugs are pretty small! They had wonderful Xmas china and decorations I couldn't help thinking just how much Janet and Karen would have loved it
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Today's ride: 71 km (44 miles)
Total: 1,918 km (1,191 miles)
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