Time to take the waters

Wednesday 8th May

Today is VE day - victory in Europe - 80 years anniversary of the surrender of Germany and the end of WWII. It is a public holiday in France, though not to the degree of labour day last week.

Our Premiere Classe accommodation last night was very good. The hotel looked a bit worse for wear at first glance, but the bed was great, hot water plentiful and great water pressure. Mood lighting in the room as usual but the LED spots in the bathroom - I could have done my sewing sitting on the loo.

On the road early-ish and searching for breakfast. The roads were very quiet - hardly any trucks. The first town we went to, Vitry le Francois, we couldn't find a bakery but there was a huge market in town. Not sure if this was their normal Thursday market day or a market because it was a holiday. We didn't stop for the market - breakfast was our goal. On to the next town of St Dizier which was our first stop after Paris on our first trip to France. Breakfast done at another lovely boulangerie and we came away with a fruit bread for later, and also a few meat meals from the boucherie next door. 

Dora wanted to bring us here straight down the main roads but we opted for a more winding and scenic route. The first half we passed through a lot of crop country, and the second half more forested and cattle grazing country. The roads were all great, even the minor roads. Not a Victorian road in sight. We passed through a few villages that had small memorial events happening at the local war memorials. We stopped in Joinville and joined the small crowd in the church. 

Spire on the church in Joinville.
The church dates from 12th and 13th centuries
but the spire is much more recent.

Stopped in a town called Contrexeville where we did some grocery shopping and had lunch. There was not a lot open being a holiday but we finally found a lovely pizza and pasta cafe. We have entered into one of the thermal regions in France. We may even visit a spa while we are here. 

The thermal baths in Contrexeville.

Beautiful embroidered cushions in a nearby shop.

We are now at an apartment in a village called Bains les Bains. We found the address ok but then couldn't get in to the apartment  - I was hoping I hadn't been dudded but a text message from the owner and maximum brute force had us in the door. Not sure what else is in this village but we will explore more tomorrow. For now we are just resting.