Trip to Germany - Day 14

Today we decided to cross the Rhine on a ferry and go back upstream to Rudesheim, opposite Bingen that we visited yesterday.  We really wish we hadn't, it was a shoddy town with hardly anything of interest (unless we missed it).  So back in the car and we set off to Bad Ems, on the Lahn river.  What a beautiful town.  Swans on the river, fountains, flowers and beautiful buildings.  Most notable of which is the Russian church.  We were glad that this town was so delightful, as it is our last trip before setting off back to Calais tomorrow (boo hoo).

 

 

 

 

Trip to Germany - Day 13

Today we drove back up the Rhine to Bingen, which was a pretty little town but quite touristy.  It is a major stop off point for Rhine cruise ships.  We had our lunch here and then set off with no particular destination in mind.  We set Tomtom up with our apartment as the destination, and deliberately tried to go differently to wherever it sent us.  We found some lovely small lanes through glorious countryside.

Trip to Germany - Day 12

Today the weather forecast was none too good, so we decided that we'd be better in the car than walking around.  So we decided to plan a route over to the Mosel valley, along it for a while and then back. The weather true to forecast was quite drizzly in the morning, we stopped at Cochem on the Mosel for lunch, and then drove on. In the afternoon the forecast was wrong, the light showers were absent.  Instead it absolutely hissed it down!  The scenery in the valley was breathtaking even in the rain, we can only imagine what it would be like in sunshine.

It wasn't only the valley that was beautiful though, when driving up through the forests, around the many hairpin bends, it really was beautiful.

 

 

 

 

Trip to Germany - Day 11

As hinted at we did indeed take a trip on the Rhine today.  We set off from Bacharach at 10:15 and arrived at Koblenz at 1:10.  The weather was good, the scenery beautiful and the ride very relaxing.  We only just had time at Koblenz to get to a cafe for a quick lunch before boarding again for the 4.5 hour trip back up river to Bacharach.  Perhaps in hindsight it may have been better not to have gone so far and had a longer stop.  Then of course we wouldn't have seen as much of the Rhine.

Silly us though,sitting on the sundeck of the boat for seven and a half hours in good weather, we caught a little too much of the sun.  Fantastic trip though. 

 

 

 

 

 

Trip to Germany - Day 10

Well here we are at sunny Bacharach, it rained nearly all the way, and the roadworks near Wurzburg were horrendous.  To cap it all off, the last 50km we decided to take the scenic route and ended up on the wrong side of the Rhine.  Hey Ho, never mind we had a lovely ferry crossing for €4.50.  Bacharach is a beautiful town, right on the Rhine (5 mins walk, even for me).  Sorry, didn't take photos today in the rain, but it won't matter anyway as I won't be able to post this until later in the week, as we have no internet connection.

All being well, we are going on a long cruise up the Rhine to Koblenz tomorrow, so no driving at all for me.

Trip to Germany - Day 9

Sadly, this is our last day in Bavaria, as we are moving on to Baccarach on the Rhine tomorrow.  So today we decided that we didn't want to have too long a day and set off meandering along the Trubach valley.  We had heard that at Gossweinstein could be found the most famous baroque basilica in all of Germany, and so we headed there.  We're so glad that we didn't miss out on this opportunity.

On arriving at Gossweinstein, we first climbed to the berg on the hill, this was well worth it for the stunning views  

    We then ventured into the basilica, photos can't do it justice, to say it was stunning is somehow inadequate.  You can judge for yourselves from the sample pictures shown, and the many we will inflict on everyone when we return.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oh, and by the way, I bet you thought we'd forgotten the pictures of Konigstein where we're staying.  We finally got round to taking them this afternoon, so here's a couple.

Trip to Germany - Day 8

This morning our landlady, Frau Scarmacher, suggested we plan our tour via Parkstein for the wonderful views.  We arrived and parked up, saw a small church on the cliff top, and thought should we  or shouldn't we?  Just then a bus trip of pensioners turned up and many set off up.  That did it. Off we set.  Idiots!  137 steps, and that was just to reach the steep hill that led through the ruined castle to the church  at the top.  What stunning views. Clear views for many, many miles over the pine forests.

    On returning home we told Frau Scharmacher that we had eventually made it to the top, she replied that she hadn't intended us to go up, just admire the view from the bottom!

 

       After getting our breath back, which took quite some time, we went on to Weiden, via Neustadt. The old town hall at Weiden looked magnificent, but unfortunately was closed so we couldn't go in to see the painted ceilings which were supposed to be incredible.

    The church of St. Joseph here was also well worth the visit, the interior being quite magnificent, as indeed are a lot of the catholic churches in Bavaria. 

Trip to Germany - Day 7

Today we decided to give the car a bit of a rest, and only drove 9km to Neuhaus to catch a train to Nurnberg. It only cost €14 for a day rider for the two of us and saved us a 125km round trip.  The journey in was extremely fast, only stopping at one station and taking 30mins.  The return journey was more sedate and seemed to stop at everyone's front door, taking just over an hour.

Nurnberg (Nuremburg) itself is a beautiful walled city with many beautiful buildings, churches and fountains.  Oh and yes Vicky, we found a Claire's Accessories.  We had a "drei im weigel" for lunch (sausage sandwich) and once again forced ourselves to eat some of the delicious ice cream.

PS Note for Vicky, we nearly bought you a car seeing as you're doing so well at driving.   

Trip to Germany - Day 6

Today saw us driving on tiny country roads to such delightful villages and towns as Traunfeld, Ebermannstadt and Forchaim.  On one tiny road we suddenly came upon a road closed sign, so smugly told TomTom to avoid roadblock.  It must have thought that we were being too cocky because it gave us new directions.  Up a winding single track road, at the top it said "turn left", only thing was that both left and right were unmade unused farm tracks (it didn't look like any tractors had been down in the last year. No possible chance of turning around or even reversing, we ventured on.  After about a mile of this it asked us to turn left onto another farm track, but on looking right saw tarmac.  Guess which way we chose?

Anyway, the prettiest of today's villages had to be Ebermannstadt, with a pretty river, sculptures and a beautiful small church called Marienkappel.

Trip to Germany - Day5

Today was a day of driving and walking, driving and walking,driving and walking.  Oh my poor feet.  First we went to Sulzbach-Rosenberg, but for once TomTom went haywire, sending us in circles through the narrowest of streets, and once or twice tried to send us through the middle of buildings!  Needless to say we didn't stop long here.

Then we went to historic Amberg, truly beautiful walled town.  We were told off by a parking attendant, who said there was no need to pay for a ticket, not in his town.

 

 

 

 

From there we drove on more winding roads through magnificent pine forests, past Klosterberg Kastl to Neumarkt.  

Trip to Germany - Day 4

Today we decide to have a trip to Bayreuth, about 60km away, once again by minor roads.  We stopped in a little village called Schnabelwaid, which had a really pretty church. We also found a small bakery where we bought an apple turnover (sorry Frank).  On then to Bayreuth where we had a walk around for a good hour . 

The Altes Schloss (Old Palace)is pictured to the right.  After a leisurely lunch, we drove out of the city to the Eremitage Altes Schloss, a few pictures of which follow.  

Trip To Germany - Day 3 (Monday)

First of all, sorry I forgot to say where we stayed yesterday, we stayed in a town called Aschaffenberg, at the City Hotel.

It's a beautiful town with a large Schloss ,overlooking the river.

 

 

We decided to set Tom Tom to avoid all motorways, which apparently saved us 9km, but added a full 2.5 hours to our journey time.  We are so glad we did, because the scenery was beautiful, lots of forests and winding roads.  Most of these roads weren't even on the map, neither were the many small villages we went through.  Anyway, arrived at Konigstein at about 2:30, and the appartment is wonderful.

Will add photos of Konigstein when we go out tomorrow with our cameras.

Trip to Germany - Day2

Day 2 sees us actually getting to Germany.  The trip through France, Belgium, Holland  and to Germany was very smooth.  Hardly any turns at all, mostly motorways, doing 80/85 mph (legally Alan) and once hit 100 uphill on the unrestricted section (that was flat out though).  Decided to travel more than halfway to give an easier meander tomorrow and finally managed to find this hotel at 5:30.  Very luxurious (4* Hotel) indeed.  No photos today, been motorways all the way.

Trip To Germany - Day1

We had an easy drive down with very few hold ups, until we were on the M25 when Tomtom Traffic told us we wouldn't arrive at the church until 2:58 ( the wedding started at 3:00)  Fortunately by hitting the "minimise delays" button, it managed to re-route us through Barking and Daggenham and got us there by 2:30.  What a brilliant wedding, lovely small church, string quartet playing for the church music, horse and carriage afterwards to take the happy couple to the marquis for the reception.

Asti & stawberries, canapes and sushi, just to put us on until the sit down hog roast dinner was ready - just one word to describe the day - brilliant. 

Even Jack managed  an Asti (or two!)