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!)

Sunday Out

On Sunday we all had a day out at Burnsall. Uncle John & Auntie Norma had rented a cottage there for a week, and we took grandma to visit them.  We had a lovely meal at the Craven Arms at Appletreewick, and amazingly the weather stayed lovely. 

Happy Birthday Frank

As you may (or may not) know, it's Frank's birthday today! Happy Birthday Frank!! Hope you enjoy your birthday present!!

Franks New Uniform

Today Frank came home in a new uniform, wearing make up!! No, he's not suddenly got a new hobby, he got given his greens and they all put on camoflauge make up and played evasion (hide and seek) in the park. Sorry about the pictures, i took them on my phone and then my computer wouldnt let me rotate them.

New Car

As you all know, my pride and joy the Nissan Micra has just died. It has failed its MOT. I am getting a second hand '02 Daewoo Matiz on Monday. It is blue and it has power steering!! It also has a cd player which the girls arent too pleased about as i will probably be playing status quo. It has got proper air conditioning rather than natural air conditioning, which may turn out to be a little warmer.