Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Day 9 Breakfast in France
OK this time we went to France on purpose, to have breakfast in a pastry shop.
Day 8 - Resting in the Country House
Yes, we finally made it to Johannes' family's lovely vacation home in the Pfalz region. The house has two guest apartments, so we set up "central command" in Mother's second floor rooms, with the balcony.
The view East was simply magnificent. We did little to nothing all day, reading, napping, sunning on the back deck. It was wonderful just to be there.
Tour
The Tour de France is over, and my blog report on our tour of Germany is not finished. Creating a photo album for Mother of the trip was more important this month than blogging. But I'll do my best to finish up soon.
The Tour de France started on the day we returned from Europe. It is my favorite sporting event in July. Actually it is the ONLY sport I follow in July, since I could not possibly care less about baseball and it is the only sport on. Even my favorite ESPN shows are boring in July. But The Tour is on almost constantly, so long as you can get to Versus to see it.
I love coming home at lunch to watch cycling and many times was able to pick up after work right where I had left the broadcast. If I didn't catch the finish at lunch or dinner, I would try to stay awake until the 8-11 edition but invariably I'd fall asleep before the finish.
Of course it is too hot to exercise in South Carolina this time of year. So no walking or biking for me right now. The evenings don't cool off enough, even after dark. It's like being wrapped in a warm, damp blanket out there. I suppose early mornings are cool enough to walk, but I'm still struggling to get out of bed lately.
The Tour de France started on the day we returned from Europe. It is my favorite sporting event in July. Actually it is the ONLY sport I follow in July, since I could not possibly care less about baseball and it is the only sport on. Even my favorite ESPN shows are boring in July. But The Tour is on almost constantly, so long as you can get to Versus to see it.
I love coming home at lunch to watch cycling and many times was able to pick up after work right where I had left the broadcast. If I didn't catch the finish at lunch or dinner, I would try to stay awake until the 8-11 edition but invariably I'd fall asleep before the finish.
Of course it is too hot to exercise in South Carolina this time of year. So no walking or biking for me right now. The evenings don't cool off enough, even after dark. It's like being wrapped in a warm, damp blanket out there. I suppose early mornings are cool enough to walk, but I'm still struggling to get out of bed lately.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Day 7 - Tuesday July 1
I was fascinated by the architecture in Meerburg, which seemed both ancient and colorful, by the half-timber houses, especially this one built in the moat. Yes, the MOAT of a 7th century castle, complete with drawbridge, tower rooms, hunt room, armory, garden and cafe, of course.
The views of the Lake and of the local vineyards from the castle were spectacular.
From Meersburg we drove through the Black Forest, stopping at the World's Largest Cuckoo Clock so Mother could make a purchase. (Shipped home and arrived safely)
Our final adventure of the travel days was the GPS' fault. It tried to lead us on a shortcut through the corner of France, but there was no ferry when we got to the Rhine River. Next mistep was third right in the roundabout, which put us on a dirt road in a French cornfield. GPS recalculated and finally sent us back into Germany.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Day 6 - To the Bodensee
Our first stop on Monday was in Weis, literally in a cow pasture, the most beautiful Baroque church imaginable.
Mother, Emily and Vikki, looking their best.
After the church in Wies, we had lunch at a farmhouse cafe and then drove to Lindau harbor on Lake Constance (In Ger: Bodensee) for ice cream!
And on to the medieval city of Meersburg where we stayed at the Bear Hotel, seen here, and happened upon a concert in the town square by a local boys' music school that was hosting a band from Norway. Amazing sites and sounds.
Day 5 - Sunday
We started the day with a FABU brunch, then Peace Church where Emily delivered the message in a worship service that really spoke to my heart. Afternoon in the English Garden, kind of Munich's Central Park, at a biergarten picnicking with friends Claudia, Dirk, Toby & Lynette. Highlight this day for me was BIKING thru town. Johannes was my patient tour guide. After a nap, the four Grande Dames managed to stay awake to see the last soccer match. Unfortunately Germany lost to Spain in the finals of Euro2008.
Day 4
Saturday was for shopping in Munich; see the bags Mama and Vikki have with in bikerickshaw they took from Marienplatz back to Emily's apartment.
One highlight of this day was Happy Birthday sung to Mama by a marauding group of groomsmen. We saw three of these crowds - the first with soccerball hats playing games with the crowd in Marienplatz, and the second (with the BunnyEared groom) sang to us just outside St. Peter's church.
One highlight of this day was Happy Birthday sung to Mama by a marauding group of groomsmen. We saw three of these crowds - the first with soccerball hats playing games with the crowd in Marienplatz, and the second (with the BunnyEared groom) sang to us just outside St. Peter's church.
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