9 July 2005 :We tried to get up early, but our weariness was so much that we barely got up at 10.00am. The grandmother and the uncle of Vangelis had the best breakfast : coffee and croissant with chocolate. Packed our stuff and gathered to talk about the route. Mr Trifonas informed us that the road to the South France would had much traffic, because of the opening of the vacation period of the French. Additional, because of the incident in London that had happened 2 days ago, the security standards were increased in Paris, so the conditions weren’t good. Then, we decided not to visit this beautiful city, as the time was pressing. Next time…
After we thanked Vangelis relatives for the hospitality, started with the destination the city of Dijon. The weather was sunny! Before we left Waterloo, visited the monument of the historical battle that is found on a hill! We didn’t go there, but took some photos.
Afterwards, we followed the signs to Charleroi and Philippeville (N5). We preferred to use the national road and not the autobahn and with that way we didn’t have tolls, but the best part was the beautiful scenery that we enjoyed! Something that should be pointed, is that the marking of the road in France presents some particularity: the autobahn has blue marking, the national road green (the opposite than the other countries), while the secondary country road has yellow color (Bis). When we passed Philippeville, followed the signs to French Reims (N43-46). Rocroi is the first French village that we met, but at Lonny stopped to rest and eat the delicious French sandwitches. The countryside of France is really marvelous! Reaching at Reims, we were forced to enter the town to refuel. It is something you must check in France, because in the opposite of the autobahns, at the national road the gas stations are not many. There are near the cities. After Reims we followed the signs to Chalons-En-Champagne, Bar-Le-Duc and Chaumont. The weather was very good and for our good luck our destination wasn’t at the cloudy points of the horizon. Reaching the Chaumont, there are signs to Dijon. At the way to Dijon, we met the astonishing village of Langres.
It is about a very beautiful village-castle that is found on a top of a hill. Approaching, the view was amazing so we went to its centre. Entering, it gave you the feeling that the time had stopped! A middle age castle very well maintained. Langres is the birth town of encyclopaedist Diderot, his statue is found in a central square.
The time was almost 9.00pm. and we left for Dijon, without other delays. About 10.00pm. we were at Dijon. A very nice city. Very easily we were found at its centre and tried to find a hotel. We decided the profitable solution (27euro/per person) of the Ibis Hotel, that is found near the centre. We took care our stuff, locked our bikes in front of the reception and tried to find a restaurant. Despite the fact, we had ride many kilometers at that day, we weren’t tired…