Monday 23rd  - Tuesday 24th September 2019 

Kembs - Sundhouse

Sundhouse - Drusenheim via Strasbourg

Around about 160kms

It was going to be difficult to find anything really interesting to say on the cycling front as, for the most part, on the early part of these two days, all we had seen were trees, trees, the odd bird and the canal. Actually, a "canal " might be to give it airs; it was a murky channel into which half the riverbank trees seemed to have toppled.

However, as with everyday, something occurs to make it memorable. The choice of accommodation for the night in Kembs was limited to one - a B&B with a restaurant. Grand. The room was in a badly converted attic but boasted all the essentials. Our host was full of bonhomie so any shortcomings were easily overlooked. Not wishing to scour the village for an eating place, we reserved a table in the restaurant. Whatever the room lacked, the food made up for in spades. It was exquisite. It was expensive but a real and unexpected treat. The place was Michelin starred but in such an incongruous setting, small and inconspicuous.

Still on the subject of places to stay, Al had seen mention of a gite/chalet on the canal side in Sundhouse (we are on Monday night now!) We found the chalet but no means of access so poddled off into town to see if there was an alternative. A brasserie presented itself as a possible source of information. Sitting quaffing beer were our two compatriots from several days ago! After some faffing which I won't bore you with, the proprietor of said brasserie called a friend who said she could fix us up and would collect us in a while. So we shared a beer with Sean and Dave (yes they do have names) and sure enough madam duly arrived with the inevitable "follow me". We followed her beginning to expect where we were going. Yup, back to the chalet which was excellent. Joined the chaps for evening supper and so ended another interesting, dry and warm day.

However, by today, the canal has morphed into a vast river with massive barges moving tons of coal or rubble or something similar. The bankside has provided a playground for little creatures that were either water rats or very young coipu? (really not sure of that spelling). Going has been a mix of gravel and blacktop with protruding tree roots so bottoms are a little sensitive. Combined with light rain, it was sufficient for us to take a shorter day and lay up in a hotel with a restaurant which is shut so looks like pizza again.