In search of Germany 2010

The journey commences @ Poperinge, Belgium

2010-07-28T12:25:11.000Z

We set off literally at the crack of dawn and had a picturesque drive through the East Sussex and Kent countryside. Five am in the height of summer looks beautiful if you can keep your eyes open I did just about but Gary was on his own for a few short spells. We made very good time and got to the ferry port in plenty of time for our boat to Dunkerque.

We drove off the ferry and then headed straight for Belgium, unbeknownst to me; our first port of call was a small town called Popering, where would you believe there is an internationally renowned beer shop. The shop was along a fairly anonymous looking path that turned down off from the road without much of an announcement so I overshot the place twice. Gary reacted as though he thought he would never taste another beer in his life! I finally managed to make the necessary manoeuvre to get us to the shop and parked up in front. Beer and football, they cause me so much grief!

As the shop was shut we went into the town for a drink. My first drink of this holiday was a cherry flavoured beer Kriek; terribly girlie but I wasn't complaining.The town was quite pleasant though small and unremarkable.

We returned to the beer shop which was now open. We entered a veritable cornucopia and we drove away happy.

Maastricht, Netherlands @ Maastricht, Netherlands

2010-07-29T16:30:02.000Z

After sorting out the important matter of beer we set off for our first nights accommodation. Gary had arranged the hotels so again I was in the dark. We drove into Maastricht and then I was instructed to carry on. "Is it here? I asked, "No" he said and I repeated this 3 times until I couldn't figure out where on this increasingly empty looking road we would be staying. Finally I glimpsed something through the trees - surely it can't be here I thought as we turned into the drive of an amazing looking stately home.

River a river @ Koblenz, Germany

2010-07-31T12:17:00.000Z

Koblenz is the confuence of the rivers Rhine and Mosel and river-man Gary wanted to see it. Fascinating point where two great torrents come together. Another moment when you see how nature rules.

Where the dogs come from @ Rottweil, Germany

2010-07-31T17:15:05.000Z

Rotweil is the place that we chose for our first part sojourn. It's a lovely little place with brightly coloured houses with lovely decorations indicating the nature of the business being conducted. Our place was a little out of town but it had enough of the pretty vistas that had lured us here ten years before.

A little lake @ Lindau, Germany

2010-08-06T12:19:11.000Z

We stopped here for a break in the journey - if Gary's good at sniffing out beer, leave it to me to find cake! There was a lovely tea shop in a hotel lobby which we enjoyed immensely.

Bressanone @ Bressanone (Brixen), Italy

2010-08-06T16:21:29.000Z

Bibione @ Bibione Pineda, Italy

2010-08-07T16:21:15.000Z

Ljubljana, Slovenia @ Ljubljana, Slovenia

2010-08-14T11:13:37.000Z

Lake Bled @ Bled, Slovenia

2010-08-16T12:25:49.000Z

Bamberg, Germany @ Bamberg, Germany

2010-08-18T11:41:05.000Z

This was a total gem. On the way back we judged that at 5pm ish it was time to look for a place to overnight. We pulled into a very conservative looking town which at rush hour was difficult to park and at first we thought difficult to find a place to stay. Places were full or as we found others one well outside our budget. we did find one which when we got in was staffed by some very help receptionists who booked us in, advised us where to park and sent us out into the town. What was I saying about the beer radar? It cam as no surprise to find plenty of taverns and gasthofs with great beer, Weiss beer is a favourite but here we discovered a smoked beer (I'm still not sure) however exploring town we saw lots of trestles being set up the town and we speculated on what was happening. What do you know himself has sniffed out a beer festival to celebrate the 60th anniversary of (something????)

Munster @ Münster, Germany

2010-08-19T17:28:33.000Z

I love SATNAV. Munster arrived at optimum stopping time or Idowannadrivenomore time but it was completely mashed up with road works. I was grumpy - he took me away. Gary checked the SATNAV for hotels and after deciding in town ones were overpriced I got my second castle (OK schloss) of the holiday. It was two days before my birthday and that counts as my present. I love SATNAV!

Amersfoort, Netherlands @ Amersfoort, Netherlands

2010-08-20T11:37:38.000Z

Gorgeous and I don't think it was just the weather. This place had the canals, the gables and the interesting shops - it also had that feel good vibe of cafe society - just lovely.

Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Amsterdam, Netherlands

2010-08-21T11:13:27.000Z

Wissant, France @ Wissant, France

2010-08-23T15:33:35.000Z

this has started to become a tradition. Our third stopover here its a convenient place to overnight for an early ferry and you can almost see home. Worth a visit in tis own right though.