Luxembourg

Luxembourg surprises us. Along the river Our we walk through fairytale beech forests where the morning light falls through the fresh green canopy. The Château de Vianden towers above the valley — we resist the temptation of the cable car. In the Mullerthal we discover spectacular rock formations, as if giants have been playing with sandstone.

The GR5 largely follows the Luxembourg-German border and takes us along the scenic valleys of the Our, the Sûre and the Moselle. On Mark's birthday we reach Wasserbillig, and by bus — free public transport throughout Luxembourg! — we explore the capital. At Schengen we pass the three-country point, and yes: that Schengen, where the treaty was signed.

Along the Moselle we walk through vineyards glowing in the morning light. We find a book exchange built into a tree trunk, complete our longest day so far (28 kilometres), and finish our Luxembourg stages at Sierck-les-Bains — across the border, in France.

Nearly 340 kilometres walked. Our legs are trained, our equipment optimised, and our French improves a little every day. Luxembourg has set the bar high — but everything that comes next will be even more beautiful.