Wednesday 17th September
Stuttgart - Eislengen
We awoke early, on instruction, as we had a big day planned for us by our guide, Gerd. Yeeks – 509 kilometers of driving, two palaces, two countries (we popped into Austria) and dinner at the Hofbrauhaus in Munich and then home, all in one day.
Poor Norbert had to go to work today and so left us with his E Class Mercedes for the day. Gerd (aka Michael Schumacher) was the driver and what a driver he was! We traveled at up to 250 kms/h (the fastest we have both ever traveled on a road). German roads are a wonder to behold.
Our first stop was the fairy castle of Neuschwanstein. We took the guided tour and were amazed at the way the castle was constructed on a iron frame, rather than stone. The stone that we can see is only cladding. Very clever.
Poor old Ludwig died before completion of the castle but he did finish our second venue for the day – Linderhof Palace. This is smaller and in a Neo-Baroque style – so over the top! So gay! (as was King Ludwig, so no surprise really about the decor!) Nic fell in love with the gardens and fountains. Mention must be made of the giant spurt that goes off every half hour, emanating from the gold fountain in the centre of the grounds. A true beauty.
On to Munchen and a quick tour of the old parts of the city. Evidently this is a very expensive city to live in and we can see why. Our trail wandered though the boy-town, locally called the Bermuda Triangle, (because people have been know to get 'lost' in there) , through the main square where the vice-chancellor of Germany was giving a political address (didn't stay long) and finally ending up in the famous Hofbreahaus sitting in the Bierschwemme (literal translation – swimming in beer). We were just going to pop in for a look but heard the oom pah band playing, looked at the size of the beer steins and the pork knuckles being served and we were trapped!
A true cultural experience.
Arrived home exhausted at 11pm to the waiting arms of Norbert. Another fabulous day.
