Day 7 * Touring the countryside * 26/5/08

Mid morning and we were off again. Around to Stephan and Yvonn’s flat to join up with them, and off into the country.

First stop was Altenberg which is a former Cistercian Monastry site. It is equally as impressive as the Köln Dom. It has the largest Gothic stained glass window north of Italy. Rüdiger admitted that he had been reading up about everything he would be taking us to, and Denise noticed that Kirsten did also. I was most impressed by that. He remembered at that point that the great bell in the Köln Cathedral was the largest swining in the world.
The setting of the monastry was in the bottom of a wooded valley and very attractive, even though it was raining. I found a cross with a labyrinth made of brass which I bought in the souvenir shop. It had all sorts of wonderful things for sale - or was it just the setting, and religious tourist souvenirs are just the same as secular.

After exploring the church competely we headed off north to the Schloss Berg. This was a castle that Rüdi used to visit as a child. We had a lot of fun trying to find an open café, but finally halfway down the hill there was a Waffle restaurant where we were finally allowed to pay for lunch. When Denise offered for us to pay for something later, Rüdi muttered that we had paid too much already. It makes the visit special.
Up to the Burg itself and exporing the rooms - many wall paintings from different centuries, though a good number were late 19th cent romantic creations. In the chapel the centrepiece was a statue of Gabriel killing a demon - a well shaped female angel in full armour! There’s a sense of a museum is a museum, but having R there made it a bit more connected. A highlight was the climb to the top of the defensive central tower, giving a wide view of the surrounding countryside. Another was the Apotheke, which showed the development of laboratories and the chemicals and herbs, potions and equipment.
Finally we headed home, briefly, then went around to Stephan’s place. A small ground level one bedroom flat which Yvonn felt a bit apologetic about, but we shared our Helston Rd house story as our first place with a child, We also saw Stephan’s trophy cabinet, and found that his best national placing was 2nd in the German Nationals, but he had done as well in European wide competitions also. Yvonn is also a trampoliner but now trains and coaches younger ones.

Out for dinner at a brewery. I had Grillaxe with Cabbage Salad. Basically it was a pork foreleg from elbow to shoulder with potato slices. See the photo. I couldn’t finish it. Meanwhile the barmaid would see how empty your glass was and replace it without asking with a full one – the beer tab was kept on a place mat. Denise’s Chicken & Mushroom salad was equally large and she made a good fist of it too.

Then all to soon it was all over and after walking up the street we were saying goodbye to Stephan, Yvonn and Tom. They are keen to come out to New Zealand – both of them, so as Stephan observed that made it much simpler for him.
Then a quiet walk home. I talked with Kirsten. They have been together 32 years. Home at last and farewells with Kirsten who would be up and gone before we rose. Pack the bags – get some more of this written and try to catch up as much as possible.