I'm really happy spending time here in Germany today because I don't have to deal with fireworks that frighten me so every year.

So, we left Avignon and Mom knew we had to make it to Germany to get the propane filled and that's 480 miles, and a lot of driving on highways which all charge tolls. Mom thought she could drive it all in one day, but she didn't so we stopped at a rest stop and spent one night. Luckily she had found a water boiler that used 12v so at least she got her morning coffee..........lucky me I say, she's no fun to deal with otherwise 

On the road someone told her we can get propane in Luxemburg too, so we went there filled up on Diesel but nowhere to find propane, so we continued to Trier. There was a place, but since it's Sunday we had to wait for them to open. 

We spent a great time at a campsite and Mom went out to eat (left me to watch Lucy) where she met a lovely Norweigan couple that she had supper with...............I had to eat alone and nor did I get a taste brought home from her great supper.............She'll be making up for it, because I will NOT forget

We were parked next to a tree shaped like a heart ....................we wondered if it's made that way or if it was natural?

In the morning we got our propane filled so now we have a kitchen and a stove again............jaayyy said mom and went food shopping.

Then we continued on to next stop driving next to the Mosel River to Bernkastel-Kues where we are now staying for the second night. 

It is a slow gorgeous drive through many small villages and miles of vineyards on either side of the river. Mom made many stops just to enjoy the views.

The Mosel is a river flowing through France, Luxembourg, and Germany. It is a left tributary of the Rhine, which it joins at Koblenz. We went there last year

The Moselle "twists and turns its way between Trier and Koblenz along one of Germany's most beautiful river valleys."It flows through a region that has been influenced by mankind since it was first cultivated by the Romans. Today, its hillsides are covered by terraced vineyards where some of the best Rieslings grow. Many ruined castles dominate the hilltops above wine villages and towns that line the riverbanks, but there's not as many as it is on the Rhine.

we saw many tractors like this and wondered if they're used to pick the grapes? The hills are so steep I can't even imagine how it's done.

It wasn't a very long drive which was really nice, and when I heard Mom buying 2 nights (despite this place unusual expensive) I cheered. It's nice to relax and I assumed it meant a bike ride which it did. We stayed at the side that was Kues, and opposite side of the river was Bernkastel

The first road bridge between Bernkastel and Kues was built between 1872 and 1874, as was the first railway link in 1882 and 1883. In 1891, Bernkastel marked its 600-year jubilee as a town.

The town in its current form came into being on 1 April 1905 through the merger of the two towns. In 1926 there arose great unrest among winemakers along the Moselle, and the financial office in Bernkastel and the customs office in Kues were stormed.

On Kristallnacht (9 November 1938), there were great riots against Jewish inhabitants, and the synagogue was destroyed.

In 1946, the first democratic elections after the second world war were held.

As usual, Mom is up early before the rooster calls even, she says it's the best time of the day before all the tourist start to crowd the towns.

It's very popular to kayak down the river which Mom really would love to do, I'm not convinced I'll like it, but if she goes I go too, like it or not she says................. Bike riding is also very popular since there's a bike path all along the river.

On the way to town, we met these cute babies, little unusual looking ducks we thought. Their parents kept a very close watch so I couldn't get near them to say hello even if Mom would have let me.

What a beautiful quiet ride along the river I can understand why it's so popular

We came into town while they're opening the shops, and to Mom's surprise here the shopkeepers swept and scrubbed outside their shops, just like they used to do in Sweden. Lovely Mom said out loud..............

This town is so quaint and so gorgeous, so yes, of course, it'll be crowded later on, but we really enjoyed the morning hours almost alone.

The crowds arrived and here's a group with a local showing them around..............he sure looked local Mom said.

and as usual I get attention from people who just can't resist my charm.

for the first time on this trip Mom actually bought a souvenir....................that's pretty darn good I thought. In this store she caved in and bought something for her garden back in Florida. I can't tell what it is, it's a secret but I can assure you it's very different. 

This house seems to be built on what ever space was left ....................it's a bank 

We went back to Lucy around lunch and had a "siesta" something Mom picked up in Italy and it means "a nap"..............I kind of like it. Rest of the evening we'll be relaxing looking at the river go by.

Tomorrow is another day..............

All is well 

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