Ferry docked in Calais right on time and too be honest i couldnt wait to get out of the place! To me there is just nothing appealing about it, it's flat, grey, dull and boring and it just lacks any kind of appeal. I'd even go as far too say that Dover is better, and thats saying something! Anyway, rant of hatred for Calais over... Journey here was a simple one, spent about a 150 miles on the A26, nice and smooth but i wouldnt say it earnt the 20 euros it charged me too get off it! Then some smaller stuff before getting on the N23 (I think?) and heading east. 5 hours later i arrived in Montmedy, and after a short trip too the wrong side of town, i found the campsite.
Campsite was nice enough, pitches were separated by little low level hedges that would only really offer any privacy if you were a midget. Guess there just being thoughtful too the minorities...? Cost me 9 euros for the night, and that includes hot running water.... I still consider that a luxury when staying under canvas! Only bad point of that is that i had no excuse for smelling unfresh today!
Anyway, to the exciting bit, when choosing campsite La Citadelle de Montmedy, i chose it as it was an ideal stop over on my way further down south. The guidebook said it was in somewhere pretty but i didn't think much of it, after all, don't they all say that? After setting up camp for the night, i decided to go for a wander and see if there was anything worth making a fuss about. There was.
Above the more modern town of Montmedy, lies 'la citadelle' itself. It is a 17th century garrison designed to house the then entire population of Montmedy as well as providing a defensive outlook over the surrounding landscapes. Its hard too explain what makes this place so awesome without actually being there. 90% of the place is still accessible, some of it involved a little scrambling up stone faces and you shouldn't be afraid of the dark as there are some very long, dark tunnels with no light at all. But to me thats accessible? In the main part of the garrison though, people still live there, i'd say there was around 20 houses being lived in. Including one available for holiday rent, think i'll stick to me tent! Anyway, i'll let the pictures do the talking!
As you can probably tell, most of the place was falling apart, but that made it just a little bit more appealing to an Indiana Jones wannabee freak like me...!
Anyway, back to the present day, am currently sitting in a Maccy D's typing this out and stealing there wifi, just had a pretty good mcChicken thingymabob though, or maybe i was just real hungry.... Something strange though, McDonalds in France sell beer! And you can have it as part of a meal deal... It is Heineken though, so no real surprise that there trying too give it away....
So thats where i leave you folks, in a McDonalds outside Remelange, just off the A30. Got around a 140 miles to go until i reach La Bresse, which is where ill be staying tonight. Weathers not quite as sunny as yesterday, but it is only 10am.
Peace and Love people!
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