So we did get to the Black Forest on Saturday. We started off on backroads rather than freeway again but we only got to the second village before we ran into streets that were dug up and our gps got all confused. We gave up and hit the freeway. When we left the freeway we drove through a couple of villages that were really pretty. Already I can’t remember their names. Can’t pronounce them either. Anyway, Freiburg was the destination. Supposedly the nicest city in the Back Forest. We arrived to the usual crowds of people and crazy traffic. Parked in an underground parking lot and went off to explore. It turns out that it was Market Day and was even more crowded than usual. Ian hated the place. I loved it except for the crowds of people. The buildings were like something out of a Hansel and Gretel story. Tons of shops that I would love to have poked through. But it was not to be. Also it was late in the day and we had an hours drive back to Baden Baden. Our last day in Baden Baden was spent doing laundry and packing for the next move. Also it was raining. Something we haven’t seen much of. Off to Toni’s for a very good Italian dinner and then an early night.
We were up early next morning (for us) , quick breakfast and on the road before 9:00.
We were prepared for and dreading the long drive dodging big trucks and maniac drivers. So were pleasantly surprised to find quite the opposite. Not that there wasn’t traffic.....there was but quite normal for us. We soon discovered why. We were on toll highways. Seven tolls altogether that we went through, including over the bridge from LeHavre to Honfleur. The problem with the tolls was that they are unmanned and ......surprise! in French. We were stuck in the first one for quite a while before Ian figured it out. We only needed to grab a ticket, not make a payment yet. We were not alone. We never went through one toll booth where there weren’t at least two or three people stuck in there. People were trying to back up to use another booth. You can imagine that not all motorists are helpful. Anyway, we are e parts now. The only other glitch was when we came through one of the toll booths and there were armed police there pulling some people over to be questioned and searched. Of course we were one of them. They were confused by our Dutch license plates , coming from Germany and we couldn’t speak Dutch, German or French. When the officer asked Ian where we came from he said “Canada”. The officer said “surely not today?” Anyway, they quickly realized we were not terrorists......just dumb Canadians. Searched our suitcases, wished us a good holiday and then sent us on our way.
We arrived in Honfleur at just after 4:30. Our host’s representative was not here to meet us. When finally after 45 minutes ,Jessy arrived, we were getting a little bit ticked. Apparently she had sent is a message telling us to call her when we arrived. But we don’t have a phone. She could not believe it! Anyway, she showed us around our new home. It’s called “The Tiny House”. And for good reason. You can hardly turn around in it. Supposedly it can accommodate four people. I’d love to see how they fit four into there. Anyway, when you go through the front door there is a tablet attached to the wall that controls everything from lights to tv to heat to shutters. You name it. So we got a ten minute lesson. Which we forgot ten minutes after Jessy left of course. Also, no explanation of what to do when the internet disconnects. WHICH IT DOES! So now Jessy won’t reply to us and the owner lives in Paris. So, by email this morning. Ian spoke to Francois. He only wants us to be happy. So he asked us “what would be a good time to do a FaceTime call?” Ian said “how about 5:00”. Francois said oh no, that’s not good for me. I can only make it for 6:30. So......why did he ask.
So we’ve had a pretty good day so far. We’ve found a grocery store, a nice pub, had a good walk and taken some good pictures. They will follow
Yikes!
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