European Tour Sep 08

---

We woke to rain, mist and general gloom. However we were again welcomed warmly at breakfast. Everyone is dressed in Bavarian dress, there are stuffed birds, Boars heads, Deer’s antlers adorning the walls, and Clare even had a “Mr Pheasant” to talk to, though he didn’t talk back like the original one at home.
The water in the car is a little down on the last time we looked yesterday, so we will probably go for a small excursion to Oberammergau and see how things go.
As thought we took a short drive to Oberammergau, they were in the middle of a series of mountain bike races, so there was music playing (Kylie Minogue seemed the only CD they had) stalls and general hub-bub. The riders were returning extremely wet, cold and muddy, but all the spectators were cheering and ring cowbells (just like a ski race) which made for a very exciting event.
The town is very beautiful, even in the rain, with painted houses and the most amazing hanging baskets. To escape the weather we went to the local museum, and learnt a lot about the history of wood carving in the town, plus there was a man demonstrating the art of flint napping. Although the demonstration was in German, endless hours watching Phil in Time Team meant we were able to understand quite well.
Lunch was at the Hotel Wolf. This runs Dog Holidays (with owners) and offers obedience training, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy! Bruno watch out, if you’re not good, you’ll be booked in. The food was good, and plentiful, we learnt a little of the intricacies of ordering beer, “ein bier bitte” is only the start of the process, but we eventually got there. I also learnt how to ask for the bill, and got a thumbs up from the waitress and “super”.
During the afternoon we took a tour of the Passionspiel Theatre. Sounded a bit un-promising, but we had a guided tour in English, just the two of us, which was great.
The Passion Play happens every ten years (next 2010) and started in 1634 as thanks giving for the plague ceasing the previous year. The town provides this enormous out-door stage with an enclosed auditorium seating 4800, people. The actors, singers, musicians, technical people and probably the donkeys, sheep, chickens and ducks all need to have been born or have lived for 20 years. It runs from May through to early October, for about 100+ performances of 5hrs.
The previous year on Ash Wednesday, a decree goes out banning the men from shaving and cutting their hair, as no false beards are worn. This makes the local police look like Californian 1970 hippies.
The props and actors clothing are all on display and the sheer scale of the production is awesome, and to think all the skills needed come from a small town in Bavaria.
After a brief visit to the Pilatushouse to see a display of glass paintings (painted on the reverse), we returned, still in the rain, and practiced out German ordering coffee and Apple Cake and supper of enormous proportions, wurst’s, smoked pork, ordinary pork chops, liver dumplings and I think a pew potato’s, Clare was good and had plaice, which after the excesses of the day, was sensible.

---

Photos

Hotel Wolf
Will book Bruno in here for his next holiday!