January 2023, Mondorf les Bains (Luxembourg) to Horn (Austria)

Week two of our latest adventure sees us move ever southwards from Luxembourg through Germany and the Czech Republic into Austria.

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The Detail:

Distance Covered: 630 miles

Financial: Fuel £221; Groceries £84; Alcohol £9; vehicle £9; Laundry £19; Personal £29 Total £401

Stopovers: Mondorf les Bains (Luxembourg); Nanzdietschweiler (Germany); Kirchberg an der Jangst (Germany); Schwandorf (Germany); Luby (Czech Republic); Horn (Austria) [2 nights]

This week saw a fundamental shift in our thinking. As we were making slow progress through central Europe, and the weather is extremely cold at the moment, it would potentially take quite a while to get to the area we really wanted to explore this time out.

Therefore we picked up the pace a bit, although we were a little hampered by our friend the engine management light and the need to find a vet to give Zeus his booster vaccination.

Wiltz to Mondorf les Bains (Luxembourg)

Up and about reasonably early for us. Filled up with fuel then headed for Eshe sur Sure. A beautiful little town nestled in a horseshoe of the river Sure. The town itself is overlooked by the small castle at the top, with the houses surrounding it on the slopes down to the river.

Beautifully maintained, but very quiet. Nothing appeared to be open. Guess it relies heavily on tourism. There were several hotels and restaurants, all charging top dollar.

From there we headed towards Luxembourg city. We intended on parking up and having a mooch around the old sector. However, the parking we headed to first was full. Tried to get to an alternative, but the satnavs threw a wobbler, trying to take us down all sorts of inappropriate roads. Time to call it a day and move on before murder is committed.

Continued generally south, topping up the LPG on route, finishing up at the Spa town of Mondorf Les Bains. Originally we were intending to just stop for lunch, but as time was getting on by the time we had eaten and taken Zeus for a walk we decided to stop.

Not the most glamorous of places, but it serves its purpose.

Travelling in Europe Post Brexit - Schengen, Luxembourg — Schengen in Luxembourg, where the Schengen agreement was born

Mondorf les Bains to Nanzdietschweiler (Germany)

Another day of traveling in a generally southerly direction.

First stop was at Schengen, a small village in the southern most part of Luxembourg. Just 1 km from the German border and 2 km from the French.

Best known as the place the Schengen agreement was made, allowing free movement within the Schengen countries. Also home to the European museum.

Then we made our way into Germany, stopping at Wadern for a bit of lunch and to walk Zeus. Pleasant walk, but the town was a bit underwhelming. The scenery on the drive through this part of Germany was, however, lovely in its winter coat.

Finished up at Nanzdietschweiler. Parked next to the football ground in designated motorhome parking. There are two spaces, one of which was occupied by a small electric vehicle using the hookup point to recharge!

Not the most glamorous of places, but again it serves its purpose and seems quite enough

Nanzdietschweiler to Kirchberg an der Jangst (Germany)

Bit of a late start. Took us a while to get going this morning.

Decided to move things along a bit. Planning to get to Romania fairly quickly so we can spend as much time around there as possible.

Headed for Ludwigshafen first. Pilgrimage to the city where the first Lidl store was opened in 1973. Seemed only right to get a bit of shopping there.

Then on to Mannheim for a lunch stop and to walk Zeus. Not much to say about the place. Very uninspiring. Lunch was yummy though.

Onwards to Kirchberg an der Jagst. Dark when we arrived so can’t say much about the place.

It’s been a day of motorway driving. Not very inspiring views but at least we covered a few miles.

Kirchberg an der Jangst to Schwandorf (Germany)

Woke to the sound of church bells going nuts at 7am.

Took Zeus for a lovely walk. Turns out Kirchberg is a lovely little village. Plenty of walking and cycle paths. Some beautiful original houses. Riverside trails. An unusual watchtower on top of a small hill overlooking the village (currently being restored). Beehives, old agricultural equipment and even a castle.

From there a short drive to an outside laundry located near a garage and truck wash. Did laundry and put a little fuel in. Not too much as we will be in the Chech republic probably tomorrow where fuel is cheaper.

Drove for an hour or so to Wanderparkplatz an der Wasserburg, a large forest area with Nordic walking trails and cycle paths. Walked for a while, then decided to let Zeus off. Well, not our best idea ever. He was OK for a short while. But then he got a whiff of something and was gone. Went totally deaf and wouldn’t come back.

Eventually returned after about 15 minutes. Frightened the beejesus out of us.

Drove for another couple of hours. Stopped at Schwandorf for the night. Arrived as it was getting dark so haven’t had a chance to look around yet.

Schwandorf to Luby (Czech Republic)

Awoke to snow covered ground today. Still light snow falling. Took Zeus for his morning walk then fed the ducks. Pleasant enough place but not much going on. Lots of walking and cycling paths in common with many other places we have stopped in Germany.

Carol spent some time trying to find a vet who could give Zeus his booster vaccination. No luck locally, but managed to find one about half an hour away, but couldn’t do it until 3 pm. So we had some time to kill.

Short drive to Lidl (emergency – we have no bread)

Decided to get to Rotz, where the vet was located.

Still had quite a wait until 3, so had lunch and took Zeus for a long walk. Went to vets. Lovely family business. From Romania originally.

Headed off after, intending to put a few miles behind us. However the route was no longer on motorways so was much slower.

Our old friend the engine management light made a reappearance. Four days without. Will have another fiddle in the morning.

Almost immediately we got into Czech Republic the roads were noticeably less well maintained. The snow was deeper and the trees looking stunning.

That’s when the satnav decided it was a good idea to take us down a really narrow road over a snow and ice covered hill. I admit that I got a little stressed. Nowhere to stop and no chance of turning round. Eventually got to the end and rejoined a major road, but not how I envisaged my first driving experience in Czech Republic.

Finished up at Luby, just outside Klatovy for the night. Parked up outside a sports stadium. Very icy car park, hope we can get out tomorrow.

Weather forecast for tomorrow here -12C

Luby to Horn (Austria)

Cold night outside. We have been using a double sleeping bag to act as a partition between the cab and the habitation area. Also been putting coats in the doorway to act as draught excluders. Between these measures and the silver screen it has been plenty warm enough. We’re leaving the heating on low overnight as well, mostly to prevent the water system freezing up.

Went into Klatovy first. As it is going to be a very cold night tonight we wanted to make sure that the LPG wasn’t going to run out. It’s been 5 days since we last filled it and as it’s been so cold we weren’t sure how much was left. As it turns out it was still about half full. I reckon we will get at least 8 days from a full bottle with the heavy usage at the moment.

Also picked up a few bits and bobs from Lidl, mostly some Czech beer and cold weather clothing.

Ever onwards we stopped at Usilne for lunch. Very quick walk for Zeus. Partly because we wanted to move on and partly because there really wasn’t much to see.

The engine management light seems to be getting worse. Assuming we don’t decide to move on tomorrow I will try taking the lead off and checking the connections where the repair was done.

Finished up at Horn in Austria for the night. Lovely big parking area, which we have to ourselves. Plenty of walking nearby too.

Decided to have a day off driving and spend a second day at Horn.

A lovely winter’s day. The cloud cover broke and the sun made an appearance. Of course, without the cloud cover the temperature plummeted overnight to -12°C. Coupled with the breeze it felt very cold indeed.

Attempted to fix the faulty cable to injector 2 in such a position that it might last a while longer. Don’t hold out too much hope though.

Nice long walk with Zeus after lunch. Had a good look around the town. The town centre is quite large with a good selection of shops and services. Some of the buildings are absolutely lovely.

There is a signed walk around the old city walls. Much of the original stonework has fallen into disrepair or been incorporated into more modern buildings.

Nevertheless it was a lovely walk despite it being the coldest day so far.

And the brings our second week on the road to a close. We have travelled quite a long way, but still have some distance to go.

I haven’t gone into great detail about anything in particular in this post, so if you would like me to expand on anything please leave a comment and I will endeavor to write another separate post on the topic.

Happy Motorhoming.

Hope You Enjoy!

Please leave us a comment!

January 2023, Mondorf les Bains (Luxembourg) to Horn (Austria)

Wiltz to Mondorf les Bains (Luxembourg)

Mondorf les Bains to Nanzdietschweiler (Germany)

Nanzdietschweiler to Kirchberg an der Jangst (Germany)

Kirchberg an der Jangst to Schwandorf (Germany)

Schwandorf to Luby (Czech Republic)

Luby to Horn (Austria)

Hope You Enjoy!

Couscous

Tagine

Berber Omelette

Brochettes

Harira

Wiltz to Mondorf les Bains (Luxembourg)

Mondorf les Bains to Nanzdietschweiler (Germany)

Nanzdietschweiler to Kirchberg an der Jangst (Germany)

Kirchberg an der Jangst to Schwandorf (Germany)

Schwandorf to Luby (Czech Republic)

Luby to Horn (Austria)

Hope You Enjoy!

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