Motorkamperen

08/06/2022

We recently had a week off from our work obligation. So that meant some time for ourselves. My husband initially wanted to continue with his restoration project and I myself wanted to go away with the motorbike for a few days. So that meant loading up Lazuli with everything I needed for this and making a plan.

The schedule changed a bit. Literally the night before I was to leave, my husband decided he wanted to come along. That meant switching gears. Loading up his 1100 with various things and he came up with another idea. If we could drag along the BBQ. We have that kind of suitcase BBQ. Very compact, but still quit big to drag along on the back of the motorbike. Yet we succeeded. Including a bag of charcoal.

Normally I would have left extra early the next morning to cover as much distance as possible to Luxembourg/Germany. Where the roads become a bit more playful and then enjoy the lovely smaller curvy roads before I went looking for a campsite. Due to some obligations for my husband, this also changed.

On the other hand, it also meant that I could start more calmly. Making breakfast, preparing lunch, thermos of coffee, extra water bottle, etc.

We were all set by 11am. Our children (read cats and horse) would be well cared for and the neighbor would keep an extra eye on things. We then left with peace at mind.

At first I had the idea to ride to the Eiffel and look for a campsite there. However, this was not very feasible due to our departure time. That caused us to think of a plan along the way while getting very wet due to heavy rainfall. In the end we decided to ride to Weiswampach in the north of Luxembourg first. Here we could refuel and we could get something to eat in the supermarket for the BBQ. From there we could ride in the direction of Esch-sur-Sûre.

In Esch-sur-Sûre we ended at the campsite Im Aal. We were kindly received and directed to a compact pitch surrounded by a hedge overlooking the river along which the campsite was situated.

Together we had set up the tent, placed everything at its spot and the rain we had earlier that day was absolutely invisible here. A positive outlook.

It was a quiet campsite and we were very lucky with the neighbors who were present with a self-built camper. They offered a reel so we could charge our cellphones and communication kits (we did have two power banks with us as a backup). These neighbors also proved why I love camping so much. The next morning I was looking for a nearby bakery to pick up breakfast. In the end, we didn't have to because before we knew it, these neighbors provided us with a delicious breakfast.

After packing, a nice conversation, a good breakfast and a smile, we shook our Hondas awake again. Lazuli and the 1100 were ready. My husband was a bit more reserved than me. It had been years since he had ridden fully loaded. Therefor he needed some time to get used to the new handling behavior of the 1100. That meant that we preferred the larger rolling roads over the narrow mountain roads this time.

We had several options. In the end we chose to ride to the Mösel region in Germany. We rode inland to Piesport to ride from there along the water to Bernkastel-Kues where we enjoyed bratwurst with fries for lunch like the real tourist and a delicious ice cream for dessert.

We looked at the time and came to the conclusion that it might not be unwise to find a place for our tent. It was already quite busy in the region around the Mösel. We had plenty of internet connectivity, so Google was our friend. We did some searching and eventually we rode to a small campsite just outside Wintrich called Georgshof. This was located between the many vineyards.

We parked the motorbikes on the paved part next to the reception and were welcomed inside with a cheerful smile from a very hospitable lady. She ran the campground with her husband. She was glad we asked for just one night. She told us that her phone was ringing hot red. Everyone wanted a spot that weekend, but she was already fully booked for that weekend. That was not a lie, because in those few minutes that we were there she had to disappoint people on the other end of the telephone line four times. Having to tell them that she was not going to have a place.

We were able to set up our tent on the lawn for one night. After building up we quickly visited a supermarket for dinner and breakfast the next morning.

Must admit honestly. This campground is on my list to visit again. It was neatly cared for. The sanitary facilities were simple, but very clean and with a walk of a few hundred meters you could walk along the Mösel river. It was wonderfully quiet. We like that very much.

Ascension had arrived and we woke up to a lovely sun. After some freshening up, some drinks and a simple breakfast we packed everything again. We decided to ride back to Luxembourg over slightly more narrow roads. My husband suddenly had an idea and a terrible appetite for cake. Not just any cake. Freshly baked cake. A famous piece of cake from Hotel Maarblick in Meerfeld. Can recommend that place to anyone. We have been there before and you can eat fantastically on the terrace behind with a beautiful view. But their cakes are really famous!

Here we were puzzling. Which direction exactly to go and where were we going to find a place to sleep. Ascension and lots of sun often means a combination of many campers who have booked far in advance. So while we were eating a famous piece of pie (significant piece after which you won't be hungry for hours) I climbed into the phone. Several campsites didn't even answer. Finally one picked up. This was Camping International. Located in Belgium near the border triangle Belgium/Germany/Luxembourg. They told us that we were very welcome.

We puzzled together on our route on the terrace and soon rode on to the campsite.

At the reception we were again warmly welcomed. In Dutch. They had a power outage earlier that day, but luckily it was fixed. After paying we got an explanation where we could stand. Via a gravel path we first rode along the river Our and then along a stream that ended in the river Our to find a nice spot for our tent.

After setting up and leaving all our packs behind, we rode back to Weiswampach. Most of it was closed, but luckily the gas station was open. Here we could get something to drink and snack for later that evening while playing cards.

After arriving back at the campsite, we quickly change clothes and reported to the restaurant of the campsite. That same morning we had already decided not to cook for ourselves that evening. At the restaurant we were nicely informed that it could take a little longer. It was really busy. No problem for us. We were not on the run.

The wait was well worth it. The food was good and plenty of it. Rather too much. So that meant that we walked back to our tent where we had absolutely zero range with our mobiles. Delicious. With a lovely night lamp on, playing cards, relaxing and then being treated to a beautiful sunset during the last walk.

The next morning was all about packing everything, riding to Weiswampach for petrol and a very good breakfast at the local bakery (also highly recommended) to ride home afterwards. Unfortunately we had to pack everything in the drizzle and then rain. In Weiswampach I checked the radar and came to the conclusion that the first one and a half to two hours of riding were going to be very wet. Fortunately, it seemed that the sun was shining at home.

It was a few hours of drowning in the rain before arriving home, dried by wind and sun, near the coast of Zeeland. Our kids were very happy that we were home again. Because it was lovely sunny and warm, we could hang out everything we had packed wet to clean and dry.

We look back on an instructive few days. Through this test ride with the pack and gear, we soon found out what we could have done differently. What we might want to invest extra in and we learned how to pack our bikes better and better. I certainly saw this in the riding of my husband. The more we were on the road, the more he got used to the packed 1100 and the smoother he rode. We have already been in the store to orientate in the possibilities and what might suit us. It gives us a purpose!

Motorcycle camping

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