6/23 Ars sur Moselle to Pagny sur Moselle

This was a big day- 30km and change - probably 20 miles when all was done. Perfect conditions for it. We took the 12 minute train ride at ultra cheap weekend rates. The GR is just up the street from the Ars station at the roundabout and counterclockwise and out on the main road then up hill into the bush. A few miles of narrow corridor that's brushy gives glimpses into backyard gardens. But suddenly you arrive at the ruins of a Roman aqueduct - fantastic! And you realize this corridor you are walking with its low overgrown wall must be of similar vintage. We pushed through the brush finally into the woods and climbing. Eventually at a confluence of paths there is a clearing a ways to the left with a grand view of the valley- belvedere des Varieux- and a bench where we sat and enjoyed a snack . Moving on through woods and of course downhill to a clearing with a war memorial and the road. The trail stays on contour and winds back through the woods but we elected to take a break and walk the scenic open quiet road down then up to where the trail junctions at the nice picturesque town of Gorze.
We stopped below a scenic church for snack, then moved on climbing the next ridge through woods and down to an open area in sight of the road at the col de Rudemont. Here was sat in the shaded grass on the edge of the road and enjoyed the view and lunch. Then back into the trees before turning and descending a steep washed out track ?road? with damp slippery stones emerging at Bayonville. The route is pretty here with easy walking through the backyard gardens. Ethan had to stop near an old Chateaux for a snack then over to the next little town Onville. The town was quiet here, the warm day had used up most of our water, but we came upon the old town water fountain running cool - marked potable- where we loaded up and refreshed. These faucets flow into large tiered cement basins in an open sided building which I believe we're the place for hand laundry in the old days.
Finally a push up over the last hills tree farms /woods and down to Pagny sur Moselle and the station. We waited not too long for a train which hustled us back to town. The kids were somewhat trashed by the efforts of the day! I went into town and in the Fnac store found the Lorraine topoguide . I returned to discover everyone agitated having discovered ticks! Ultra small pin-head size, they let go when smeared with ointment - wish I had thought of it before I dug one out earlier along the trail. Probably picked them up on the narrow brushy old trail around the aqueduct which had animal scat. No one wanted
food so I went out myself back to the Boucherie for a peach chicken salad & the beer.