Rochfort is about fifteen miles from St. Hubert. The road to it, of course, through the forest, and then over heathy hills. It isromantically situated, upon a rock, as may be gathered by the name, the river Lesse washing its base, and prettily wooded hills lying around. When entering the inn, I found myself seemingly in a private house, with almost the comforts of an English fire-side ; all of them, indeed, excepting that it was not home ; a warm little snug parlour,  a good fire, papered walls,  a pair of candles upon a table, at which were seated three young ladies at work. I thought, at first, I had made a mistake ; but I speedily found I was in the right. These were the hostess' daughters, the hostess herself presided in the kitchen.  I know that I had a comfortable dinner about seven o'clock, but I forget what it consisted of; and I recollect drinking a bottle of Rhine wine, for which I paid the extravagant price of four franks ; but a treat was waiting me at Rochfort, which I little anticipated. Ever since leaving Vienna, I had drunk coffee in the morning, and coffee in the evening,  tea, never ; always coffee, — coffee, — coffee ; in the course of my conversation with one of the young ladies, I happened to mention my love of tea, and that I had not tasted any in Ardennes. " Ma foi," said she, " nous en avons," this was the best news I had heard for a long time ; the tea was brought, and, to my infinite joy, I found it to be tea, such as might have graced any table in Old England. How I did revel in the prospect and still more in the enjoyment. I had not been accustomed at St. Hubert, to go to bed before twelve, so that I had two or three hours vacant before bed-time, and these I determined to occupy in composing an Epic Poem in praise of Tea ; and having with some difficulty obtained pen, ink, and paper, the following is the result of my labour Solitary walks... Derwent Conway,1828, pseudonyme H.R.Inglis, (1795-1835), auteurs de nombreuses relations de voyages.

la place avant 1914

L'Hôtel de l'Etoile, 100 lits, chambres avec bains privés, eaux courantes et garage pour 30 voitures.

janvier 1945 au sommet du monument, la victoire offre les lauriers et la palme à un jass portant le fusil et le drapeau belge. ( Visages de la patrie belge, Stéphanie Claisse, 2004)

suite

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