THE UNEXPECTED SURPRISE OF LUXEMBOURG

After  little undulation and change in the landscape for miles, we began to climb through the rich dark green forests of the Ardennes, finally emerging to see the countryside spread out before us - the bright fresh green of springtime all around us in fields and trees,  little villages dotted here and there, glimpses of the rivers as they bubbled over the riverbed weaving through the trees, little waterfalls here and there.  It was unexpected and quite a contrast to the flat landscape of Belgium.

Esch-sur-Sûre

Pitched again by the river's edge but being in a deep 'bowl' surrounded by tree covered mountains towering around us there was little to see and nothing to indicate we were anywhere but in the middle of nowhere so we wouldn't be staying more than a night before continuing.  However, the following day dawned bright and sunny and found us wandering the half mile up the road to the local village - what a pearl - the pearl of the Ardennes!  

Esch-sur-Sûre is a little delight!  Devoid of tourists (except for 'him' and me!), freedom to explore at one's will the steep little side streets, clamber up the steps to the tiny village church, 

scramble further up to the castle ruins then finally mount the seemingly never-ending steps to the statue of the Virgin Mary that towers over the village and finally on up to the top of the tower for the panoramic views of the village spread out before us - peace and tranquillity at its best - and not a euro spent on entry fees!

making our way up the steps

..... and it did seem a VERY long way up!

 

pausing to admire the view

I could have done with this!

but so worth the climb for the view from the top of the tower DOWN to the church and castle perched atop the village:

The following day was a 'holiday' in the country and we gleaned from posters there was something planned for the village - we'd stay and find out.  As we wandered into the village the next day the lines of parked cars stretching endlessly up and down the roadsides held great promise of what would be in store - should be good we thought!  Turned out to be one giant car boot sale running the length and breadth of the small main street!  Perhaps there might be an evening event?  Nope! - we had to village to ourselves but looking just as beautiful by night as by day. 

 

With thoughts of heading through the 'Petit Suisse' area of Luxembourg and on to the Roman city of Trier just across the border into Germany, our next stop on our route was 

Diekirch

- famous for its beer  (found throughout Belgium and Luxembourg) and also known as 'the town of the donkey'. 

At this point in our travels, I realised I'd  had no idea what to expect of  Luxembourg - a place to pass through en route to elsewhere perehaps?  I certainly don't recall anyone urging us to visit Luxembourg.  Well,  it shouldn't be neglected and in my book, definitely one for the list of places to visit.  What a wonderful surprise it's been and  I'm so glad we chose this route.  As with Belgium, I never ceased to be amazed at how immaculate everywhere was - so clean, neat and pretty. There is such an evident pride  both on an individual level and nationally.  Not a single piece of litter to be seen on the streets, pretty plants adorning the streets, trees in abundance, no clutter or mucky corners anywhere!!   And I became convinced that only by use of laser beams could anyone achieve such straight lines for lawns, edgings, sowings etc in the gardens!!  Was is it my imagination, or was the grass really greener too?  Must be the less polluted air and of course spring was vigorously bursting out all around us!

Once again, pitched by the riverside in the heart of the countryside at the foot of lush green fields rising up over the hills where cows quietly grazed, reluctant to leave we extended our stay - and why shouldn't we,  with time to linger.  Though there was a 'little extra' that cropped up but time for that a little further on!  The phrase 'a breath of spring in the air' came to mind as we strolled along the river from our site to the town of Diekirch one afternoon - and for the first time those words fully struck home for me -  listening to the prolific birdsong,  watching the frisky mallards on the river, a pair of swans, the grassy river banks spilling over with an abundance of vibrant wild flowers, trees heavily laden with pink and white blousey blossom, the warm sunshine.   It made me feel quite heady - and so at peace with the world.  In such surroundings, even a pile of hand-washing was a joy! We were missing a launderette on site while new facilities were being built and we'd arrived with a week's washing!  But who's complaining - albeit outside sinks  (so no, not quite resorting to the river!) but surrounded by that beautiful, peaceful  countryside in the warm sunshine.

And finally!!  A few days of sunshine.  First time the awning has been rolled out!

...  and high time for the BBQ!

 

And the most delicious ice cream ever!

We took the train into the lively bustling town of Luxembourg City with its dynamic mix of contemporary architecture and the ancient fortresses of the UNESCO  World Heritage Old City - truly a rich tapestry.    We walked until we were ready to drop, exploring the unexpected surprises that unfolded within this city. 

One of the law court buildings

 Neumunster Abbey

We ended our day in the city with a walk along the old city wall when we found this little corner, a quiet place to reflect on a surprising day.

The return train journey to site was a little protracted!  Having confirmed the train we boarded was for Diekirch we were in happy ignorance as we prepared to disembark at the next stop when we began to notice the scenery - everything looked wrong and our destination had disappeared from the electronic information screen!  It was then we realised we were heading much further up line! Apparently we should have changed at the previous station for Diekirch - hmmmm, why didn't anyone tell us that??  But it was an extra part of Lux that we wouldn't have otherwise seen I suppose! 

That  'little extra' I mentioned earlier?  The date was fast approaching when Jon was to play in First violins in his first concert since he gave up playing at the age of 18 and re-started just under 6 months ago!  How sorry we both were to be missing such a momentous occasion.  So we decided one of us would return to the UK  and I was the lucky one!  I could barely contain my excitement during the journey at the prospect of giving Jon such a surprise!  One of those moments I shall always hold vividly:  Jon's smile of delight when he opened the door to find mum standing there though even that smile couldn't hide the perplexed look on his face!!    It was such a grand weekend and so lovely to relax in Jon and Abi's company (I was staying with them) for that little while and a chance to catch up briefly with Sam and Sarah too.  The concert was one of those extraordinarily special times in life - one I shall always remember and treasure. I have an indelible memory of that evening.  Having taken up the violin again so recently and shortly after, joining the Burgess Hill Symphony Orchestra and straight into first violins - I still find incredibly brave and ambitious.  I sat during that amazing programme of music spell-bound and proud, oh so proud.  The second half of the programme was one piece of 80 minutes long which is no mean feat for any musician!  There were other highlights too:  up so early the next morning it's a time of day I never see nowadays (!) to go with Jon on his sheep-lookering duty followed by spectating  as Jon joined his usual group of Cross Fit folks for the most punishing physical hour I could ever have imagined!!  Sam and Sarah joined us for the afternoon and we tucked into delicious cakes at a local patisserie (as if I don't indulge enough on our travels!).  Abi and I had spent a very pleasant leisurely Saturday afternoon enjoying each other's company over tea in Brighton and a mooch around the town during the Fringe Festival.  I even joined Jon and Sam when they went to see the film Star Trek Monday evening - that was fun, mum and her boys!  Great film too!   All too soon it was time to leave the family behind once more and fly back to Michael in Diekirch - and where public transport proved to be a humorous challenge yet again as the bus  between airport and railway station stopped quite unexpectedly and the driver abandoned the bus!!  One by one the bus emptied of its many passengers leaving just Michael and I sitting alone in an empty bus wondering what on earth was happening.  Eventually we followed suit and disembarked to find the driver heading back toward the bus  - he indicated we should get back on and he'd be leaving in 2 minutes - which he duly did with a handful of passengers back on board.  What was that all about we wondered????