European Paradise - a Journey into Retirement

Tomorrow we leave Busingen. This has been an amazing time.  Cass & Jamie great seeing you again- ride well & stay safe.  All I can say is - until we meet again. 

On leaving Rothenburg we decided to travel the Romantic Road-stopping off at many medieval towns on the way.  We had lunch at Dinkelsbuhl a beautiful medieval town thought to date back from around 730. 
Later in the afternoon poor Ron became grumpy and tired.  So we decided to stop at the next village for coffee.  The next place was Augsburg BUT it wasn't a village but a bloody stupid city.  A last minute decision saw us take a bed for the night.  As it was Friday and we had just caught the tourist bureau  before it closed we found out that Augsburg had a Jewish Museum & Shule.  We walked to the Shule interested to maybe join the Service.  well- the gates to the Shule were locked and a Russian security guard refused to let us in.  ONLY MEMBERS were ever admitted he said.  Well that did not go down too well with Ron as you may well imagine.  We left after an opinion was given and walked around the town.  Next day saw us leave quite early.  As we weren't too far away- we detoured to Dachau Concentration Camp memorial site.  We did an English tour of the camp and left quite late in the afternoon.  Arrived home about 8pm and slept unti 10am the following morning.

A few days of peaceful & quiet living in our small piece of Paradise and we decided to go away one last time before we come home.
So early Wednesday morning saw us leave for the Medieval town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber.  Squares & alleyways are lined with beautifully restored houses indicative of a time gone by. Massive  town gates, mighty walls that fortified the town long ago, impressive churches, interesting museums, delicious bakeries filled with schneeballs (yum, yum!!) & pastries, cafes, restaurantes & shops to delight everyone with their fantastic array of knick knacks are encountered whilst strolling through this romantic town.
After checking into our quaint hotel we immediately came across the Medieval Crime Museum. Here you get an insight (like I really wanted this!!!!!) of 1000 years of European legal history & exhibits of numerous instruments of torture.  One leaves by checking that all body extremities are still intact-( shudder).
Walking around we climbed the Defense Wall and strolled along the sentry walk.  Soon we came to the White Tower- a 12century city gate-alongside which is the former JUdentanzhaus (Jewish Dance Hall)-which was the centre of Jewish Life here in the Middle Ages.  At times 20% of Rothenburg's total population was Jewish.  Here Rabbi Meir Ben Baruch was famous for his Talmud School.  Into the garden's wall Jewish Tomb stones from the Middle Ahes are embedded.  We also visited the Imperial City Museum which houses a "Section With Jewish items".  Here were Jewish tombstones from the 13th - 15th century.  A holocaust  memorial stone in a niche is there to remind you of the cruel destruction of the whole Jewish community in Rothenburg in 1298.  Most of this room however was dedicated to Rabbi Meir Ben Baruchl -one of the most famous Talmud scholars in Germany. That night we did the Night Watchman Tour- fabulously entertaining & informative-great fun.
Next day we strolled around the town admiring its unique attractions.  The imposing Marktplatz is the centre of town- dominated by the impressive Town Hall. Next to this is the equally impressive Ratstrinkstube (City Councillors Tavern) with the windows to the right & left of of the clock opening on the hour to show the legendary "Meistertrunk".  On a whim I decided to photograph this happening at 10pm at night- of course it didn't turn out- just black.  Another must are the 2 Christmas shops- be prepared to gasp in wonder at these beautifully presented wonderworlds of magic. 

On leaving Interlaken Ron wanted to drive through the Swiss Alps via the Sustenpass. From Andermatt the spectacular route lead over roads opening up views of breathtakingly beautiful mountain landscapes, deep valleys & quaint villages.  Passing over 25 bridges & through as many tunnels - with hair pin bends at every turn we drove the crossing.  At 2224 m we drove through a 300m tunnel & soon had views of the beautiful Stein Glacier- a 4km long glacier on the south side.
Please note masterful photography- snowball caught in the air -image 3!!!!
  

The day was wet & rainy- but undeterred Ron & I caught the paddle steamer Lötschberg of Lake Brienz, Switzerland, from Interlaken to Lake Brienz.  After being evicted from 1st class to 2nd class on the paddle steamer (How were we to know that there were 2 classes on board-we were only trying to keep dry & warm !!!!) we arrived at Brienz - a Swiss Village located above the crystal clear Lake Brienz. From here we took the most amazing train ride of my life - the oldest steam cog railway in Switzerland up 2244m to Brienzer Rothorn.  Panoramic views were had all the way up & down & at the summit of the extraordinary region between the Lakes of Thun & Brienz, untouched mountain valleys, gentle alpine meadows, peacefuly grazing cattle, rushing mountain streams & waterfalls, lone bicycle riders & hikers, -all in an unspoilt natural world.  A spectacular train ride and day.  Another slight drama on the return paddle steamer ride-apparently our return to Interlaken was booked by train & not boat!!!  Oooooh- they tried to charge us extra for returning on the boat - Ron took none of that and eventually they gave us up as "too hard" -threw their hands in the air and left us alone to enjoy our lake cruise back. For fear of being thrown overboard we didn't venture beyond 2nd class deck this time!!!!!   Image 5 sees a lone cyclist way down the path manoevering & bargaining with the cows.  Eventually all reached a compromise & the cyclist was allowed to proceed- with caution!!!!!!

Saturday saw the 4 of us drive into Interlaken- Ron & I to book into our hotel & George & Gloria to spend some time in Interlaken before training back to Wengen.  After walking into the village centre together we bid our farewells. 
That afternoon Ron & I decided to take a little red funicular up to Interlaken's local Mountain- the Harder Kulm.(which is 1322m above sea level).  As soon as the funicular started its ever so steep ascent- I knew I had made a mistake-it was sooooooooooo scary SHIT!!!!  Made it safely to the top and enjoyed amazing views of the 2 lakes below- Thun & Brienz and of course the whole range of snow peaked 4000m high mountains.  Iced coffee from the restaurante's terrace helped and soon we were descending to ground level again.

Thursday 2nd June saw Ron & I pack our car & drive to the little Swiss village of Wengen - near the Jungfrau, Eiger & Monch.  A lovely drive saw us arrive in 2 1/2 hours from Busingen.  We left the car in the Lauterbrunnen Train station parking area (Wengen is car free)  and trained up the mountain to Wengen. There we met up with our good friends Gloria & George.  Dinner that night was with Gloria & Georges tour group in their hotel. 
Friday- the 4 of us caught the delightful cog train from Wengen back down to Lauterbrunnen.  Here we picked up the car and drove to the entrance of the TRUMMELBACH FALLS.  Wow!!!!  Europe's largest subterranean water falls are located inside a mountain - accessible by underground lift & paths & tunnels.  These falls located in the Lauterbrunnen Valley are part of the valleys 72 water falls.  These glacier waterfalls drain from the Eiger, Monch & Jungfrau - up to 20,000 litres of water per second are carried away with a thundering sound.  Amazing sights of water powering through the mountain awaits you at every twist & turn through the tunnel- whilst spraying you all the while.  Came out slightly damp but awe struck.

After regaining our composure we decided we would like to cable car to the top of the SCHILTHORN- a 2,970 metre high summit in the Bernese Alps. (Actually Ron & I thought it was a good idea & George & Gloria were stuck with us!!)
To get to the top of Schilthorn from the valley floor a series of cable cars must be taken.  The first cable car we boarded in Stechelberg - which took us to Gimmelwald.  Here we changed cars and proceeded to Murren- from Murren another cable car is taken to Birg which sees the final change before the Schilthorn.  I believe this cable airway is the longest one ever built- certainly a most breathtaking trip over the beautiful alps and countryside.
On reaching the top the air was crisp & the view clear & panoramic- spanning the Jungfrau, Monch, Eiger & Titlis to name a few.
After many photos we had lunch in the revolving restaurante named Piz Gloria (haha Gloria was quite chuffed about the name!)  which is where the James Bond movie "On Her Majesty's Service" was filmed.  A famous ski run featured in the film starts here on this summit and leads down below Birg.  A few excerpts of the movie were shown - it was quite exciting (even if slightly corny) seeing where we were- on film.  Finally it was time to leave - as we watched cloud drifts moving across the summit-completely obliterating any view and then drifting away revealing the majesty again.  Four tired people dragged their feet through Wengen at 5pm to their hotel for a well earned drink / coffee.