We started the day with an 11 a.m. Christmas Chamber Music concert at the Staatstheater, but actually held in the elegant foyer.
The afternoon we were in the Rheingau and Eltville for a walk through town and along the Rhein.
And ended the day and vacation at Gutschaenke Langehof in Rauenthal.
Wolfgang and Elke took us on a day trip to Michelstadt, in the Odenwald. An old, walled town filled with fachwerk houses and a very lovely Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas market).
Followed by meeting up with Bjorn and Erik for tapas at Bodega, a spanish restaurant in Wiesbaden. Lots of fun!
More wandering the streets of Wiesbaden with our friend, Sue, who flew in for the weekend!
A ride up to Neroberg to see the Russian Chapel.
Relaxing few hours spent at the Thermal Bad
An evening out on the town to see the shop windows, lights of the Weihnachtsmarkt, and a few songs at der Eimer!!
We drove through the Taunus mountains to Braubach on the Rhein and the site of the 13th century Marxburg Castle. We had visited this castle for a “formal” celebration with 4th Brigade’s partner brigade 10th Panzer Brigade back in 1980. After taking a cruise on the Rhein we had dinner by candlelight in the castle. It was magical! The castle has since been further renovated and replastered since 1988 and is now in beautiful condition. The castle was never destroyed in battle, the only damage was caused by an earthquake and shelling from across the Rhein during WWII.
The interior and room where we enjoyed our supper.
The chapel.
Driving the Rhein River.
Another glorious day with a clear blue sky, brilliant sunshine and sharp frost on the meadows for a drive into the Taunus mountains and to Idstein – a beautiful old market town where I once (in a former life) owned a lovely half-timber (fachwerk) house.
… and here is Kreuzgasse 42 with attached barn.
From there we traversed the country side with the goal of arriving in Fulda in time for lunch. Unfortunately, “MathildaII” (the car’s built-in gps system) had different routing for us! Anyway, we arrived in time for a beer at the craft brew Wiesenmuhle (restaurant closed) and onward for afternoon tea or coffee and delicious cake at a Konditorei very near the Fulda Dom. We sat at a table with a similarly aged lady who spoke impeccable english and enjoyed a lengthy conversation about politics!! Hmmm!
We managed a quick visit to St. Michael’s church, from 1194; spectacularly simple in design – quite beautiful.
Leaving Fulda, we were rewarded with the most dazzling sunset – rivaling those in Arizona! – which lasted for a good 45 minutes.
Dinner at traditional restaurant in Rambach, where Dennis had his long-awaited Zigeuner Schnitzel! and then home to some Lebkuchen!!!
It was a perfect day for a walk from Schiersteiner Hafen alongside the Rhein. Of course, we worked up an appetite for a glass of wine and lunch at the Gruener Baum in Schierstein.
Another stroll through Wiesbaden to Kochbrunnen Platz (where the warm, healing spa waters spout continuously) and window shopping, enjoying the Christmas displays.
Driving from Frankfurt to Wiesbaden felt so natural and normal – not like it’s been 28 years!! and once we got into the center of town everything was so familiar and beautiful. Having the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) in the market place and on Kirchgasse makes it even more special. We have a whole week to explore old haunts and the surrounding countryside and catch up with some old friends.
September 26, 2011: We took our friends’ car – an older volvo station wagon and drove to Berlin today. Pretty long day, but we have the whole day tomorrow to explore and see some of the new architecture, etc. It’s been many years since we were last here, and Dennis was very restricted in where he could go. I was here many, many years ago and had quite an adventure with my friend Lolita!!!!
September 27, 2011: We set out bright and early with our day pass for the local transit system. No, the umbrella wasn’t needed – after all yesterday evening was so summer like! Hmmm! We stepped out of the metro and couldn’t figure out why the steps were wet!!! 6 euros later and we were kitted out with plastic capes which were a good insurance that the weather would clear up.
We wandered around the check point Charlie crossing area and Friedrichstrasse – wanting to see what had become of the ugly east block style apartment buildings. Of course, they were nowhere to be seen, replaced by modern buildings. Over to Brandenburg Tor and to see the Reichstag building, a quick lunch with a glass of apfelwein, we then joined the 3.5 hour free walking tour.
Which included the memorial to the murdered Jews of europe, or holocaust memorial. It’s a very interesting and thought provoking site.
The twin cathedrals….
