I only had a day or two in Luxembourg, but as I was walking through it I saw more than most people probably will on a visit! It’s possible to drive from one end to the other in a little over two hours (legally), whereas walking does take slightly longer.

Unfortunately I was unable to get a passport stamp at either end as there are no border patrols or customs. I suppose this makes things easier for everyone else but not for us stamp-collectors! Still, the scenery and so forth made up for it.

The main place of note on my visit was, of course, the capital – Luxembourg City. Virtually off of Luxembourg’s money is in here and it’s quite an international place. Walking around, you can hear several languages being spoken, mainly French, German and English. Quite a few people also speak Dutch although the native language, Luxembourgish (that’s what I was told to call it!) seems to be dying out. Listening to it, it’s quite a mixture of other tongues. Having said that, listening to most conversations between under-30s is like someone randomly skipping language tracks on a DVD.

The city is spread over a beautiful little valley with a couple of very tall bridges spanning it. Trees of a variety of colours fill it and it looks beautiful. Once I can get onto a PC with happy USB I will try to add some pictures to this post as well as a video to YouTube. Throughout the city are many small churches and grand historical buildings such as the magnificent parliament and the lovely old cathedral.

Luxembourg itself is around 40% forest which is handy as it provides many trees to pee behind. Necessary in a country where you even have to pay a Euro to use the loos in McDonalds! I actually think I found the only free public lavatory in the entire country – a portaloo in a courtyard round the back of the cathedral.

My host for one evening was Max, who lives in Diekirch off to the north east of Luxembourg City. Not on my original route, but by diverting off in that direction I added a few more miles, which is all good. Diekirch is also a brand of beer – brewed in the town – which I tried with Max and some of his friends as I helped them set up a LAN party in a large hall. I wish I’d had the time to stay over for a couple of nights and watch.

Instead, I set off the next day and made my way to Wemperhardt on the northern border. Another advantage of the forest is a huge amount of area available to campers. You’re never short of somewhere to pitch a tent once darkness falls!