Day 19 – Sat 28 Jun 14, Mulhouse to Colmar (France)

Forecast: 15-27 deg C, a damaging afternoon thunderstorm!; Listed Distance: 44km; Actual distance: 61km; Cumulative distance: 669km; Av speed: 15.6 km/h; Mulhouse: 16 deg C; Colmar: 24 deg C; Start time: 7:55am; Stop time: 1:15pm; Ride time: 3h51m

Despite leaving close on 0800, we still didn't get to the hotel until after 1300. We knew the distance was going to be more than 44km, however not 60km! There was a distinct lack of signage hence we took the mountain bikers route in some parts which saw us riding over very rough, cobbled, dirt roads. It was not a good day as we were constantly stopping to check Google Maps and occasionally backtrack. We thought there would be a plus to be riding through many little villages - we would get to see some lovely sights and find somewhere nice to have mornos. Just after 10am we were riding through a little village and decided it might be a good place to stop. We couldn't find a coffee shop for love nor money. Even the corner store didn't sell a diet coke in the size we wanted. Eventually saw a bakery where we got diet cokes to go with our chocolate croissants and little cakes we acquired from the hotel this morning.

We eventually made it to Colmar after copping a flogging on the horrid paths and found the hotel – Mercure Colmar Centre Unterlinden.  Once checked-in (1:20pm) we had our lunch, and wandered the streets and malls of Colmar.  As it was brewing for a storm, photography was not real good, but we got some half decent shots.  Colmar is a tourist Mecca due mainly to its medieval buildings, museums, canals and narrow cobbled streets. It was founded in the 9th century and has been Independent, French, German, French, etc over the eons. It is currently firmly in French hands and probably won’t change in the immediate future. You discover a picture postcard photo opportunity about every other step, but it is difficult to capture the atmosphere on photos due mainly to the very narrow streets and dodgy light.  Despite the hordes of tourists in those stupid little train things puttering around the streets Colmar is truly worth a visit or two. 

The hotel still had no aircon, and no fan was offered. During the day and before bed, you can leave the window open as you don't mind the noise. But when you're trying to sleep and the yahoos are going home from the pubs at all hours, right up to 5am, it gets a bit much. And when you close the window, it gets very stuffy. So, whilst we slept it was very restless and broken.  The hotel didn't even offer a discount. When Wendy had a look at the reviews of the hotel on Booking.com, the aircon seems to have been broken for almost a year now, so perhaps they are trying to save money. We will be giving them a serve when it comes time to submit our review.

We had decided on Chinese for dinner when Greg remembered an Italian place he and Graham had eaten when they were here a couple of years ago. And, it was a good choice. Wendy had gnocchi with chicken (and lots of cheese), and Greg had seafood pasta. As it was raining, we had a short walk and then back to the hotel to update notes, etc.



Our unairconditioned 4* hotel room


Fountain near General Rapp monument    

Early evening in Colmar

Some scary wildlife in France

A hotel we should have stayed at

Flowery Colmar streetscape

Colmar

Flowery Colmar streetscape

A protest in Colmar

A restaurant in Colmar

A covered market


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