As some of you might recall, I am over in Europe this month leading a few bike trips. The first week is firmly behind me (and the second week is about to end), so I thought I would give a few updates through some photos. I am not the most diligent of photo takers–I often remember long after the fact that I should have snapped a few shots. This trip, I was determined to rectify that, so I took a page from my friend James the Wine Guy and brought over a couple of photo taking devices (I only have two such apparatuses compared to James’ 37, but that is beside the point).
I need to shove off to Chinon in a few minutes, so I apologize for the brevity of the accompanying text (no doubt many of you are relieved), but here goes. Week One:
The trip started with getting Sebastian off to his first day of first grade (Nathan started a week later).
As usual, I got no sleep on the plane, but did manage to suck down a few glasses of regrettable Chardonnay.
My Parisian neighborhood, in the friendly 2nd Arrondissement, greeted me with its “Forbidden–Except Cyclists” sign.
Shortly after landing, I was thrown right into action, driving a cargo van across Paris in rush hour. No problem (until I got a ticket for going the wrong way down a one way street–more on that later).
Parked the beast like a veteran.
On to Belgium (with a brief foray into the Netherlands).
I spent that first week with nine, then eight wonderful Aussies, who were not nearly as serious and contemplative as this photo suggests.
I attempted throughout the week to learn to speak Australian, but mostly we drank beer….
…lots and lots of beer (this is six bottles of the rare and wonderful Westvleteren 12).
It was then across Luxembourg and up the Mosel for a few days where I did manage to arrange a tasting at St. Urban’s Hof.
My last meal in Germany–a Flammeküche with a glass (OK, it was two) of Spätslese before I returned to Paris to get ready for the next trip to the Loire Valley.
the drunken cyclist 
Parking in France, to me, is like an Olympic event. Well played, Jeff. Well played.
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Just finding a spot was challenging, let alone fitting that behemoth into it!
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Europe has a lot to offer. May your wheels turn easily. Have a great time here.
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Thanks! Cheers!
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Love it!! Can’t wait to hear more.
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Oh, there will be more….
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Looking forward to the next installment! Have more fun!
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Thanks! Next week will be a little tight, but I hope to still post!
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Looks great. Hope you are enjoying yourself. Cheers!
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I am technically “working” but you can’t beat the scenery. Or the food. Or the wine….
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At least you didn’t have any in-flight emergencies on the way 🙂 good luck on the rest of your trip!
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Yeah, no kidding!
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Oops, you’re ahead of me! Still have to try the Flammekuche! Hope the rest of your trip is as much fun!
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Oh, you have to try it! Make sure to get the one with bacon and onions–delicious!
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That sounds GOOD 🙂 Maybe tonight 🙂
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Well?
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Loved the westvleteren 12!
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Sooooooo good….
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I love the parking jobs where it’s clear the driver exited through the sunroof!
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That is why the French stay so thin….
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if you come to italy call me for a ride in the dolomiti…!!!
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Would love to, but no time this trip! Next year?
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“Speaking Australian” – that cracks me up whenever I hear that.
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I learned that week that it is a different language!
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You gotta admit that it is easier to learn if you “shout some blokes a round of tinnies when you’re out at the boozer. Then you’ll have mates for life who won’t hesitate to go into bat for you if a blue starts.”
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Yeah. Exactly! I think….
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Urbanshof is great. Did you get to hang out with Nik Weis?
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He was in the states actually at the time….
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That man is always on the road. I hope you get to meet him someday. One of the most gregarious people I know.
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I got the impression that he was always traveling. Might get a chance to meet him at the Spectator Wine Expo thingy in NYC next month.
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Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Your last photo of Flammeküche with a glass of Spätslese…..just scrumptious looking! No idea of Flammekuche but looks interesting and perfectly matched with the Spatslese…yum!
Cheers!
Miki “This is the Life” Winer
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You have not lived until you have had some Flammeküche (although the Alsatian Tarte Flambée is better, in my opinion).
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