After almost two weeks of cold, wet, snow and rainy days, yesterday it finally happened. The rain dried up, the sun came out, the birds were particularly chirpy and although there was still a nip in the air, there was definitely a feeling of Spring. All around us on the camping park, campers emerged from their vans, and like hibernating bears they took a stretch, sniffed the air and then unlike bears headed straight for the rear of their campers to their bike storage. There were bikes of all shapes and sizes making an appearance and an excited buzz filled the air. 

During the week we had relocated to Trier in Western Germany almost on the border with Luxembourg. Those of you who follow me on Instagram will have seen some of the images from this beautiful historic town, set on the banks of the Mosel River, we had explored its Roman architecture, stunning churches and squares during the week, but now the great outdoors beckoned.

In anticipation of this good weather day, we had made a plan to cycle to Saarburg. Our route would take us along a bike path beside the Mosel and Saar rivers. It was breathtaking, clear blue skies and the flow of the river, nothing but the sound of the birds, our tyres whirring on the pavement and the occasional barge as it made its way along the river and through the locks. I was in my happy place and living how I imagined a perfect van life day.

Saarburg our goal for the day is a beautiful little town set in a landscape of vineyards, overlooked by the castle and churches, it has a long and proud bell making tradition, many of which adorn cathedrals throughout German. The scenes as we biked into town were inviting so we explored the town a little and had lunch, before we began the ride home to Tigín. After a long day of fresh air, sun on our faces, more exercise than I have had in a while and a tasty pasta dinner, sleep came easy and I dreamed of many more blue sky days like this one.