The weather forecast was for a hot day. It was 18c when we left, a nice riding temperature.

I looked up at the kitchen window and noted the date. 1783. If only the walls could talk.

Back to the canal path, a series of lakes opened up, with camping areas available.

Following canals means locks. Most of the locks have an old home adjacent. Some are renovated and being occupied, others are more dilapidated.

More lakes and canals.

Then this. Some engineering bright spark thought this might be good for cyclists. Unlikely to have tested it before construction.

This is a first for us. Never have we see one quite like it. Yes we have pushed bikes up the tyre rails, but not this steep.

There are 34 steps either side.

We needed to remove all our luggage and transfer it across in three trips. The bikes two trips.

A nice view from the top.

Just as we were starting to repack our bikes, two younger blokes on e-bikes turned up. They had huge back packs and one had this trailer.

They got their bikes over to where we were, huffing, puffing and cursing but the trailer was going to be a task.

I can see a few trips there, plus both will have to carry the trailer up and down the stairs.

Back on track, the day was getting g warmer.

We have a variety of surfaces. This one ended up with 10% climb, so yes, I pushed further up.

The roads, in most parts, were rolling and well formed, cutting through farms.

A village installation.

Looks like an old bunker.

Some people with a curious sense of humour.

The ubiquitous war memorials.

Left over tanks on display.

We climbed up through a heavily forested area. Pierre Percee lake is the largest in Lorraine. From the air, it apparently has the shape of a maple leaf.

Lots of outdoor activities in the area from bushwalking, swimming and base jumping.

It is an artificial lake, with a dam at one end.

The view from the dam.

Overall we were still climbing, but there are invariable descents, so we can climb again.

We laughed, thinking it reminded us of our local Bass Highway patchwork. It was ok to ride on as most of the joins were smooth.

The forests gave us some reprieve from the heat, now sitting at 32c.

Climbs were hot work.

Open pastures and villages.

We found an Aldi. Melting, we wanted lemon gelato, but found this instead. 2.58 euro and we downed all 10. They were half size, but nice and cold.

Promotional deer.

As we neared our destination, the last hour we were beaten. The heat and sweat had flagged us. We counted down the km. We stopped lots to keep drinking. From 70 km to our finish at 107 km we climbed. Not difficult but draining in the heat as we got no reprieves.

Someone has collected many bikes, even more signs and displayed along the side fence.

We are now in Plainfang, a small village in the Vosges mountains.

The only current guests in a small velo accredited hotel guesthouse, we seem to have the first floor to ourselves, including a kitchen.

We purchased more drinks, then headed to the local eatery as the mobile app said it was open. It was not. In fact, doubt it’s been open for years. It’s boarded up and the building is for sale.

That meant a walk to the next village, 3 km round trip not bad, but in still 32c heat.

We walk past this place being cleaned up outside. A renovators delight for sure.

I’ve zoomed out from the map, to show our relative position to Switzerland. Basel is in sight.

We will have to make adjustments to our final three days. Extreme weather warnings have been issued with temperatures up to 38c.

We have a mountain to cross tomorrow then descend to relative open flats.

We are thinking….safety first and 32c was too much for these Tasmanians.

Anyhow, day by day.

We have now passed the 3,000 km round trip mark, with 3,058 km. No mean feat.

Thanks for reading ❣️🚴