Bettendorf

30 May 2015:  We joined the Marche Internationale de Diekirch today!  Diekirch had, in fact, been our goal today, but we were unable to get a hotel or B&B room there.  Today we found out why:  The Marche Internationale is a weekend of walks around the city of Diekirch that are organized by the Luxembourg Army.  (There is an international association that organizes such walks in countries around the world.). Most of the thousands of participants are soldiers or ex-soldiers, but anyone is welcome to participate – even GR-hikers!  Some of the soldiers march together as units; others walk individually or in small groups more casually.  These were serious walkers, but the atmosphere was casual and good-spirited.  Happily, the weather was excellent for a walk in the country. 

So we had lots of company on the road today.  We were pleased to pause at the refreshment area that was set up along the route.  Eventually, we turned away from Diekirch (which finally put us on dirt trails), and indeed we left the GR5 itself in order to walk to Bettendorf, where we had managed to find a room.  And what a room!  The recently-opened Terrace Hotel is comfortable and beautifully designed.  We enjoyed chatting with the friendly staff here.  Dinner was excellent, accompanied by a fine Pinot Gris from Luxembourg.

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Departure from Vianden:

This German Army unit sang while they marched:

Refreshment area, selling food and drink:

Eventually, we returned to the quiet solitude of forest trails:

Two types of grain growing in adjacent fields:

Blown gracefully by the wind:

The Hotel Terrace: