'Summer in the Alps' - Day 35 - Namur to Heidelberg

After a morning of exploration in Namur, we timed our departure to coincide with a bit of rain that fell as we drove slowly to Heidelberg, some 250 miles away.

An evening and a half day in Namur wasn't sufficient. We will have to return for a full day at the citadel, which has a history dating back many centuries, in this area where the River Meuse is joined by its River Sambre tributary. We wandered around the citadel, enjoying the views from its elevated position. However, we missed out quite a lot, including the tunnels that can only be visited on a guided tour, the timings of which didn't fit in with our need to move on. So after our 5 km meander around the citadel we adjourned for coffee and croissants before collecting our bags from the friendly hotel and our car from the Q park.

By 5 pm we were enjoying a pot of tea in Heidelberg (well, to be precise, Peterstal) with Andrea and Thomas. Andrea's cake, manufactured especially for the occasion, was packed with blueberries. Delicious. Thanks Andrea.

Three bus stops up the valley towards Wilhelmsfeld took us to the start of a good woodland walk leading back to their house. En route we encountered a tower with a viewing platform 36 metres and 192 steps above us. We were followed up it by a group of three runners. Great views from the top although we could feel a bit of dampness coming from the direction of Namur. Thankfully we were back at home enjoying beer o'clock before the damp could penetrate anything.

Spâtzle and goulash was delicious, washed down with some silky red wine.

Thanks again for your hospitality, Andrea and Thomas.

Today's pictures:
Djoseph & Francwès - two folk characters that humorously embody the easy living held so dear by the people of Namur
A view from the Citadel at Namur, featuring the 'Bonnet de prêtre' (Searching for Utopia) sculpture
A detail of the Citadel, which Napoleon  named 'Europe's biggest ant hill'
Later, an ant hill near Heidelberg
The tower near Wilhelmsfeld

Note: these entries are sadly being unhealthily influenced by Sue's current book club offering, Ray Monday Chandler's 'The Long Goodbye', which I am finding something of a distraction.