Bioncourt

15 June 2015:  The theme for today's post is hospitality.  We have been very impressed by the warm hospitality of the people we have met along this trail.  The people running B&Bs and chambres d'hôtes have made us feel at home and have helped us in many ways.  In particular, there have been: Jereon & Paula in Herkingen, Maurice & Ingrid in Kalmthout, Valerie & Marc in Loenhout, Staf & Rita in Westerlo, Matt & Gitte in Lanaken, Ilonka & Marc in Eban-Emael, Joseph in Liège, Fabrice in Angevillers.  We have also been welcomed warmly in some hotels, such as the Terrace Hotel in Bettendorf, the Kohnenhof Campground in Kohnenhaff, the Remotel in Knutange...

This paean to hospitality was inspired by our experiences today at the two ends of our 21-km hike from Custines to Bioncourt:

When we checked into the Hôtel de l'Île (a very ordinary place next to the A31 autoroute) last night, the woman at the reception offered to drive us from the hotel back to the center of Custines this morning.  We would thereby avoid the unpleasant, 1.5 km walk beside a busy road and the autoroute.  A different woman was working at the reception this morning.  When we mentioned this offer of a ride, she did not hesitate; with a smile, she offered to drive us back to town herself. 

This afternoon, we walked a kilometer off the GR5 to reach the chambres d'hôtes in Bioncourt, le Clos des Pommes.  We had been walking on paved or hard surfaces all afternoon, and it had begun to rain.  We arrived at the door – and were welcomed with a smile by Marie-Paule.  We sat down with Marie-Paule and her husband Claude for a pleasant chat.  Their chambres d'hôtes, which they created by renovating an old farmhouse, is magnificent and very comfortable.  Marie-Paule made us feel at home here, and she cooked a delicious dinner for us.  In short, she is a paragon of hospitality.  

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Looking back to Custines this morning:

This morning's forest:

Wild strawberries (fraises des bois):

We were intrigued by the crops growing in this vast field.  We guessed that it was hemp (chanvre), and not some related species of plant...

Mary ponders another crop: flax?

Le Clos des Pommes; the plain exterior conceals a beautifully designed and decorated interior. 

Marie-Paule & Claude: