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Published: July 10th 2015
Mosel Valley
Grapes growing up almost vertical cliffs.Thursday 9 July 2015
When we set out from our overnight lodgings this morning we did not imagine the day would unfold the way it did. Our plan was to take a leisurely drive up the valley to our next hotel. The GPS said it would take 58 minutes. So we planned on taking all day. Polly returned from her day off but as she was so exhausted from all her shopping we let her sleep until it was time to locate the hotel.
Our original plan for this adventure was be flexible. If something different or exciting should come along then our plan would change accordingly. We have discovered on numerous occasions that our red number plate acts like a magnet for other cars. Today was a classic. As we drove through an interesting village we collected a line up of cars behind us. There was no where to pull over so we turned up a very narrow street lined with parked cars hoping the cars behind us would carry on through the town. But no, you guessed it. The car behind us appeared to be glued to our back bumper and followed us. Soon we were passing
Mosel Valley
Kiwi Adventurer discovers the roses in Winningen. a guard of honour of people along the side of the road. We just had to keep going. For a moment we thought they knew two famous Kiwi Adventurers were in town. We just keep going until the road ran out. Whoops! A ten point turn, retrace our steps, hide our embarrassment, and keep going. No! We had driven through a funeral with the overflow from the church outside listening to the service. All we could do was sit there looking down on the people from our parked car. After 50 minutes the service was over and everyone proceeded to the nearby cemetery with the urn. The road was clear and we moved off. We drove in silence for some time and wondered. We crossed the river and stopped for a coffee and talked about what had just happened. We were pleased we didn't drive back through the ever increasing crowd. We were respectful but wondered what the topic of conversation was going to be at the wake.
Driving up the Mosel Valley we stopped at several small towns along the way taking the opportunity of a walk among the narrow streets, taking photos, or just admiring the villages
Mosel Valley
Building in Winningen with flood levels marked. surrounded by vineyards growing on almost vertical slopes. Over centuries rock walled terraces have been created so that the vines get maximum sun. It must be quite challenging to care for the vines and harvest the grapes.
We stopped for lunch in the car beside a lock. As we were eating, the wheelhouse of a river cruise boat suddenly appeared in front of us. From that moment we witnessed a lock in action as the boat was lifted from one river level to the next. These boats are not little. We had quite a conversation with the Americans on board, mainly centred around the weather. Soon the Viking Odin was on its way to the next lock.
It was getting close to check in time and Polly needed to do some work. She was grumpy so she took us away from the river, over quite a high hill and back down to the river. Within a short time we were climbing a very steep street to our guest house for the night. Our host showed us into a very nice apartment at street level then took us to an enclosed terrace and asked what we would like to
Mosel Valley
One way of getting around a tricky building site issue, build over the road. drink. An hour or so later after discussing our families, our countries, the lush garden, model trains and the refrigerator full of beer downstairs we thought it time to try out the recommended pizzeria.
What could be more simple. Order drinks, pizza, drink and eat, pay the bill. No. After the pizza we had room for the desert which consisted of a large range of ice cream sundaes. One sundae was a Kiwi sundae. This started a conversation that got onto cricket and did I play test cricket. At this point I should have said yes, but no only at high school. My travelling companion had the largest fruit salad ice cream sundae imaginable, only bettered by a large beer. This was not what was ordered but would be very nice thank you. Being a Pakistani run pizzeria in Germany, we were soon introduced to the boss. Immediately the conversation got on to cricket. At this stage I should have confessed to being one of NZ's top batsmen who faced Waqir Younis in the test match in Hamilton, NZ, and scored a century. Just as well I didn't. Our pizzeria host is good friends with Waqir. Soon the conversation
Mosel Valley
The remains of one of many castles in the valley. got on to our host's family who are all pilots with Pakistan International Airlines. We learnt about Boeing and Airbus, Etihad and Emirates. The story just goes on. Time to plead tiredness, pay the bill and head for the B & B.
We chuckled our way up the hill as we relived the day's events. Gate crashing a funeral, being stalked by every car in Germany, being a famous NZ cricketer and staying in the best and cheapest accommodation of this trip. Tomorrow we cross the border back into France and say farewell to Germany. On the way we might stop for diesel in Luxembourg, it is supposed to be 10 cents a litre cheaper.
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