Our last days in Remich

After our last two big days we all decided some quiet time was needed so we had a slow start to Saturday before walking up the hill to find a supermarket.  This was a huge place called Cactus and the strangest thing was the beer and sausage stall at the front door.  People were drinking at 10.30 in the morning.  Perhaps that is how the women get their men to go shopping with them - 'a man crèche'.  

We walked back down the hill, much easier than up, had lunch on board and then Marg, Peter and I got on the bikes and cycled a few kilometers down the road to do a winery tour.  We visited Caves St Martin and here we found an amazing Cellar cut into the rocks many years ago.  

There is 1 km of tunnels full of barrels and bottles where their Cremont, Riesling, Elbling and some other varieties used to be made.   No longer used to make the wine here this area is still used for tours and to house table wines for their restaurant in front.  It was a great experience, though very cold as the caves are temp controlled to 12 degrees. You are taken right through the Cremont (Champagne) making process and at the end of the tour you get to taste a glass.  It was lovely and we managed to carry a dozen bottles back on the bikes.  

Once back home to Bill who had decided to take it easy for the afternoon we just sat and watched the world go by with a drink and a book.  I could do this forever.   With the long weekend the river traffic was increasing and we were expecting more passenger boats in the following day so we were going to relocate Matilda across the river to Germany on Sunday morning.

Waking up early on Sunday to lots of activity on the dock we were surprised to see a tent city springing up before our eyes.  Not campers but a very large market took shape before us and after breakfast we all had a wander along and a good look.  We didn't stay out too long as there was movement on the river and it was time to move Matilda across the river.

We did this and not a moment too soon as not long after a large passenger barge, Lorraine, came down the river and went straight into the place we had vacated.  The rest of the morning was spent watching all the activity and during the afternoon Bill and I walked back up the hill to complete our tour of the city.  We had a look at the chapel dedicated to St Etienne and erected as a protection against cholera in 1865.  

Continuing along the rue de la Gare we found the Decanal Church of Remich.  This was built in 1712 replacing the earlier church which had been destroyed by fire.  On the same street we found the old hospice site, the ancient tannery, a lovely park and fountain and came back into the main square where there was a Jurgenfest happening.  It seemed to be just beer and music.  We walked around for a while but soon decided a book in the sun was the best option and we went home.  On the way we found a bus that had the same idea!

Tonight was our last night on Matilda and we had decided to have dinner at the restaurant we were moored in front of.  We had a bottle of the lovely Cremont before going, then a wonderful meal and a nice French red before coming home for Marg's farewell desert.  She had made crepes which we had with a rhubarb sauce, homegrown strawberries and ice cream and of course another bottle of Red.  This time a Pinot Noir from St Martins.   

One last sleep before we say goodbye and head back to London in the morning...