Still at Berg Etlz we went on a hike through the woods and up the mountain. Just before crossing a bridge I was re-enacting a Monty Python skit of the Troll and I junped into the woods and asked, "What is your Quest?" when suddenly my leg started burning. I jumped into something posionous. I ran to the river and washed my leg off and created a poltice from the mudd. My leg burned all day it was very uncomfortable.
Once we returned to Cochem we had some wine and beer my leg was feeling much better. There were horrids of people out last night and we had a fantastic supper. We went to bet early last night.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Mosel River Cruise and Berg Eltz Castle
Got up at Sunday 7:00 and had Breakfast at 8:00. We walked back into town and took a Cruise town the Mosel River to Karden.
Clarence has been taking German for several years now and has had amazing success at communicating with the locals. We were all extremely impressed with his level and ability. I was hoping he would fall flat on his face so I could make fun of him hehehehehe but the joke is on me because he is doing great.
After some sonfusion on the boat as to were to get off we found our spot which took us about 45 minutes. It was a beautiful trip and the landscape was breath taking.
We took a crazy bus ride to Berg Eltz, the narrow streets and the driver driving like a maniac. It was scary at times.
Berg Eltz is an amzing Castle in the woods set in a pass use a a trading route. The Castle owners set up the Castle and collected taxes from people as they travelled through the area. It has been handed down from geration to generation and now resides with the 33rd gerneration and is still a privately owned castle. Hard to believe really.
Clarence has been taking German for several years now and has had amazing success at communicating with the locals. We were all extremely impressed with his level and ability. I was hoping he would fall flat on his face so I could make fun of him hehehehehe but the joke is on me because he is doing great.
After some sonfusion on the boat as to were to get off we found our spot which took us about 45 minutes. It was a beautiful trip and the landscape was breath taking.
We took a crazy bus ride to Berg Eltz, the narrow streets and the driver driving like a maniac. It was scary at times.
Berg Eltz is an amzing Castle in the woods set in a pass use a a trading route. The Castle owners set up the Castle and collected taxes from people as they travelled through the area. It has been handed down from geration to generation and now resides with the 33rd gerneration and is still a privately owned castle. Hard to believe really.
Playing Catch up
It's not easy to keep up on the blog with no internet in our room. So this morning I'll do some catching up.
We left Frankfurt on Sunday and headed for Cochem. A few wrong turns but overall not bad. Thank God for the GPS I can't imagine doing this with maps but I know people have done it. We arrived in Cochem around noon and strolled around. The town center was a buzz with activity as everyone was drinking wine and listening to a local band play in the town square. This weekend was wine festival..... which is paradise for a bunch of boozers like us.
We strolled over to Cochem Castle. It was magnificant. We had a guided tour of the Castle which naturally was done in German but they had some English sheets for us to follow. The Castle has a great vantage point over looking the Mosel River. Clarence and I tried to Sack the Castle but got tired half way up the mountain and had to rest.
We went to the Hotel which is beautiful and checked in and headed back down to the town square for wine. After two bottles of wine we were all pretty happy and warm. I had been practicing my German and turned to a gentleman and in German said, "excuse me please, can you take our picture". He looked at me with a big smile and said "Man I'm British!"
So something out of the Karate Kid Movie.
After supper we stayed out partied with thousands of people in the street and were delighted with an amazing fireworks show. We were in the perfect location across the river as the firewors were shot form the Bridge and over the castle with some even behind us. The fireworks lit up the Castle. It was probably the best Fireworks show any of has ever seen. The Castle being lit up in the background was amazing.
The people were friendly and very orderly despite being intoxicated and so were we. Got home just after midnight.
We left Frankfurt on Sunday and headed for Cochem. A few wrong turns but overall not bad. Thank God for the GPS I can't imagine doing this with maps but I know people have done it. We arrived in Cochem around noon and strolled around. The town center was a buzz with activity as everyone was drinking wine and listening to a local band play in the town square. This weekend was wine festival..... which is paradise for a bunch of boozers like us.
We strolled over to Cochem Castle. It was magnificant. We had a guided tour of the Castle which naturally was done in German but they had some English sheets for us to follow. The Castle has a great vantage point over looking the Mosel River. Clarence and I tried to Sack the Castle but got tired half way up the mountain and had to rest.
We went to the Hotel which is beautiful and checked in and headed back down to the town square for wine. After two bottles of wine we were all pretty happy and warm. I had been practicing my German and turned to a gentleman and in German said, "excuse me please, can you take our picture". He looked at me with a big smile and said "Man I'm British!"
So something out of the Karate Kid Movie.
After supper we stayed out partied with thousands of people in the street and were delighted with an amazing fireworks show. We were in the perfect location across the river as the firewors were shot form the Bridge and over the castle with some even behind us. The fireworks lit up the Castle. It was probably the best Fireworks show any of has ever seen. The Castle being lit up in the background was amazing.
The people were friendly and very orderly despite being intoxicated and so were we. Got home just after midnight.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Belly full of Beer and Curry
Not a good combo but sure was good going down. The festival around the river had thousands of people..... it was jammed packed. We took our time and took in the sights, music, food and beer. It sure was an amazing first day with a fair bit of walking (me with my 24 pounds of camera gear), but it was nothing compared to what we plan to do.
We are back at the hotel at 11:00 and Joey-Lynn is all ready sawing wood. I'm still eating and trying to work the Android tablet. Thought I had it set to upload pics but it's not working right now. Sorry gang.
It was only 14 degrees tonight with rain showers...... it was 31 yesterday.... what a switch..... they knew we were coming I think.
Tomoorw we try to get out of the big city and head to Cochem for Castle's and river cruise..... Better sign of and get some sleep, I pray the hurricane will pass and everyone will be save.
Welcome to Frankfurt....Get me a Beer!!!
Arrived in Frankfurt at 10:30 tired, but excited. Got our car and was upgraded to a larger Audi, which is a good thing as it just fits our luggage. Clarence drove first I thought it would be better that I play with the GPS and as I haven't driven a manual Transmission in several years and he drives a manual everyday the city was not the place for me to get reaquanted.
We got to the hotel around 1:00. We never had any issue with customs or luggage. Everything just seemed to fall into place. After checking in we were all hungry and started walking to find a place to eat. We found a hip young place (like us) and I ordered an American breakfast..... what a tourist. As we continued to walk we found a huge fair down by the river. It was enormous and was on both sides of the river. We plan to go back to night.
We returned to the hotel for a couple of hours sleep and now re-energized are going to head back to the fair. I desperately want some Turkish cuisine as there are tons of Turkish resterants.
We got to the hotel around 1:00. We never had any issue with customs or luggage. Everything just seemed to fall into place. After checking in we were all hungry and started walking to find a place to eat. We found a hip young place (like us) and I ordered an American breakfast..... what a tourist. As we continued to walk we found a huge fair down by the river. It was enormous and was on both sides of the river. We plan to go back to night.
We returned to the hotel for a couple of hours sleep and now re-energized are going to head back to the fair. I desperately want some Turkish cuisine as there are tons of Turkish resterants.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
The Excitement is building
We are all having butterflies and pretty excited about the trip. It's easy to stick with the familiar and known but I have never been much for that. I enjoy living in the unknown and thrill for the challenges we are about to meet.
I have always said though when it comes to travelling like we do, the difference between adventure and disaster is planning. Not counting an exploding Kidney..... Johanne. I hope we have planned well.
We are all packed but will make one more check tonight. I can hardly believe that all these months of planning is down to one night but it is.
I have always said though when it comes to travelling like we do, the difference between adventure and disaster is planning. Not counting an exploding Kidney..... Johanne. I hope we have planned well.
We are all packed but will make one more check tonight. I can hardly believe that all these months of planning is down to one night but it is.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
three days prior
Tuesday night before the trip. We are planning to finish packing tomorrow night. Joey-Lynn cut my hair tonight and I dyed her hair. I think I did a good job, it looks great and it's even and not orange..... so good for me!
We decided to pack each with a large suitcase. I was trying to get everyone to trim the fat but Clarence is going anyway...... no I was trying to go with smaller bags but looks like I have been out voted.
The weather in Germany looks great although I can only see a few days into our trip.
The excitement is growing.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Preplanning
We are looking forward to our trip to Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Austria. We leave Friday, August 26 at 10:00PM and are traveling with our good friends Susan and Clarence Whynot. We are pretty excited about the trip and have all our hostels booked and rental car. Now we are mapping out the thing we want to do at each location.
We sure are hoping the weather is good but more than anything hoping that Johanne doesn't get sick.
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