Drowning in Lake Constance
Trip Start
May 23, 2010
1
12
24
Trip End
Jul 23, 2010
Lindau, Bavaria, Germany
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The story got worse late on Friday when the workmen renovating the flat above left for the weekend, having messed with the electricity so that the appliances (which included the water heater and the oven) didn't work. There was some trouble starting the heating as well, as it had been switched off for the summer. Very luckily, Marion's mother lives nearby and we did a mad dash every day to her lovely warm flat to shower!
We drove miles to Rothenburg op de Tauber to see the lovely 15th Century walled city and to try to escape the rain. Walking around the covered wall gave us the best view and the best shelter, and stops for coffee and cake helped. We went to the Kathe Wohlfahrt Christmas Shop, mindblowing in the number of kitsch yet strangely attractive Christmas items, which people come from all around the world to purchase. The Cathedral had an amazing 14th century stone carving of the Nativity scene which was very unusual. Sneeballen (deep fried puff pastry balls covered in sugar) were a unique offering, and something to be avoided!
The next day we attempted the promised tour of the north of the lake, returning via Switzerland. This plan was foiled partly by the weather and partly by me leaving my passport at home... never mind. We visited Birnau, Radolfzell, and then the island of Reichenau, where under a torrent of rain the bakery "Leib & Seele" (Body and Soul) certainly restored me! We bought bread and wines from this famous island of food, previously run by monks. Then on to Konstanz to walk around the large, bustling town with grand buildings and painted fronts. Defeat was acknowledged and the next step was the ferry across the lake to Meersburg and home.
After a shower things looked better and we went into town (Insel Lindau) for a wonderful Thai meal and a drink of Aperol at a local pub. This is my new favourite drink, but I have yet to decide whether I like it best mixed with white wine or prosecco. I need to dedicate a few weeks (rather than days) to the study.
The following day was a journey into the Alps, to see towns very close to ones I had already visited by accident on the train. It was all very "Story of Heidi" complete with warm brown cows with bells around their necks. We went to Oberstaufen, and visited Oberreute on the way back, where Marion's family had first emigrated from Poland when her parents were young.
That evening we crossed into Austria to Dornbirn, to see Andreas who I have known since he was in his early teens. Andreas and Beate now have 3 children, Tobias, Anna and Lucas. We ordered in pizza, had more Aperol, red wine and scotch whisky....
At the crack of dawn the next morning I had to get the train back to Munich and made the trip to the airport successfully despite the lurking headache. It was still raining.
