Woke up this morning to the coldest temperatures yet, -4 degrees. The
car was covered in snow and ice, and the roadway was slippery as hell.
Spent 1/2 an hour trying to clear the ice from the windows (a most
painful experience - snow is C-O-L-D!!!!!). Finally got the windows
clear enough to start driving and head for France. Quite a nerva
wracking experience. Dense fog, snow covered roads, and ice made for a
very slow trip out of the alps.

Wasn't long before we
had crossed the border (again no passport stamp) and into the flat
country of the Alsace Lorraine region of France, and on to Strasbourg

Driving into Strasbourg we were tempted to stop for awhile and look around.
However, parking and confusing traffic conditions convinced us to move
on to our destination for the day, Colmar.

Leaving Strasbourg, we heaqd further south into France to Colmar.
The countryside is very different now from that of the Black forest
area - broad flat valleys are the order of the day now. Evidence of snow
falls still dot the fields, and the temp is still below 5 degrees.
However, the sun is out so the drive is quite pleasant.

Colmar is a largish town with the ubiquitous "old part" of the city. It seems
every town in Europe has an "old" part to it. Kind of makes our "old" parts of our towns seem downright modern.

After settling into our hotel we headed off for an exploratory walk (noting
all the possible eating places for supper). We stopped at a tavern/brassiere for some coffee and lunch. You couldn't have got one which seemed more French. Groups of people sitting around talking animatedly and gesticulating, couples sitting in the corner talking
quietly, staff wandering around quietly attending to patrons needs. If you closed your eyes you could imagine John Paul Satre and Simone de Beauvoir sitting at a table and talking of revolution.

Then it was down into the old part of the town. Guess what, it must be Xmas.
There are lights and decorations everywhere; and in every square there
is a Xmas market, selling everything from decorations to clothes to
chocolate to hot food. Just amazing - wish we were spending more time
here.