On to Nuremberg

 The next morning saw us at Jan Zoon's home.  We were given a wonderful gift to add to the World Puzzle Center. He gave us his Notre Dame puzzle!  What wonderful generosity.  

It is a big puzzle, but thankfully, he put it into boxes and we managed to fit it into the van.  We should have thought better about how to put it in there, because we had boxes shifting from one side to the other while I drove.  (When we got to Nuremberg we repacked the car and tied down the boxes.)

They showed us the doll house they have been working on and another beautiful puzzle that he created.  We stayed for a bit, had a cup of tea and chatted about puzzles and other things before taking our leave.

From here we went to see our friends Oskar and José again.  This is a real treat for George to see them whenever we are in the area. Both of them have the same silly sense of humor.  It makes for a lot of laughs.  Around 1/2 hour after we arrived Peter and Fredi came over and we all sat and talked for a while.  Later that evening we went for Greek food which was great as always.  

Sadly we had to leave the next morning to get to Northern Germany where we met with Bruce Whitehall.  We have been in correspondence about some puzzle related things, and thought since we are here we should stop by and say hello.  We arrived around 3, had a wonderful apple cake with cream and a cup of tea.  And then we headed out to town.  We had dinner in a French place, I of corse ordered currywurst.  Over diner we had a very nice chat.

From here we went to the theatre where we saw a MET live presentation of Carmen.  Now I really enjoyed the music, but not the story.  I mean, I know the story, but this time it was changed into something more modern.  Arms factory, sports cars, and I'm not giving anything away when I tell you that Carmen gets killed in the end. But by a baseball bat?  I'll stick with the classics thank you.  

But the wine they served was good, we were introduced to the theatre because we came all the way from Italy to their little place to view the opera, and there was chocolate on the way out the door. I've never seen anything like it.  A very fun evening.  

Bruce showed us his home and a number of puzzles he had for sale, but sadly we declined to purchase as we have already everything he was selling. 

The next day we awoke and once again said our goodbyes shortly after breakfast.  We were headed to Bernhard Schweitzers home before finally arriving in Nuremberg. Along the way, George managed to solve a puzzle that he found. 

We've known Bernhard for years and had a really nice time looking at his collection and Kirsten's art works.  They have a lovely home filled with many interesting things.  Not just puzzles.  Kirsten made a very delicious dinner for us and an even more amazing set of cakes!  She's a very good cook.  

We truly enjoyed our short visit.  I even got to see a book or two that I now will have to hunt down.  

This is always one of the joys of meeting people. Finding things we don't have and having to find them later.  In Bernard's collection, I am sure there are many.  I just need to unbox before committing to any new purchases of old puzzles.  Kirsten showed us some of her beautiful paintings.  Sadly, the van is full. 

Bernhard took us to see his workshop.  We discovered that George has the same saw.  The sander I new need to look for.  

The next morning we left for Nuremberg.  Our reason for being here.  I was warned that there was lots of construction and That was an understatement.  Not a major problem, but man did I have a headache when we got to the hotel.  First stop: a pharmacy for some aspirin.  Then back to the room to relax before the next days fun begins. 

Again, I am saddened by the lack of snow.  I would have expected to have at least a foot of ground covering, but the best we found was some black leftover plow deposit that I crunched over.  I'm sure that it is gone today.  Such a sad state of affairs. 

Another Road trip

We have always wanted to go to the Nuremberg Toys Fair.  This year we are here and have decided it is time. I first heard of this fair way back in 1995 when I attended my first fair in Hong Kong.  After befriending Uwe, I decided I had to go.  For many years we said we would go together, but sadly circumstances did not allow for that to happen.  My only regret is not being able to be here with my dear friend this next week.  

But enough being maudlin.  Or maybe that is just the start of it. George and I decided that as long as we are going, we should make a good road trip out of it.  We left home Tuesday the 23rd of January and drove as far as Lake Como.  Here we stayed for one night because I just don't like driving in the dark anymore.  Add to that the insane hotel prices in Switzerland, and we broke the drive early.  As always, we had our roadside picnic.  And yes, Chuck, the sippy cup travels with us.  FYI: mine is pink but I only use it for wine at night.  Never drink while driving. 

When we awoke in the morning, we packed the car to take off.  Surprise!  The windows were frosted over.

 We turned on the car and ran the front defroster thing for a bit, but not before I could snap a photo of the outside temperature!  -1°!

That is bloody cold!

From here, we took the Gotthard tunnel through the mountains on our way to Baden-Baden.  Now here is where I become sad again.  I came of age in Germany and spent a lot of time in Italy in the 80's.  I remember driving through the same area and having snow all the way down past Florence.  I remember spending a few Christmas' in Rome and the magic of the Christmas night snowfalls.  This year, I was well into Switzerland before I saw snow.  

Don't tell me there is no such thing as global warming.  This lack of snow leads to a lack of water which leads to a poor showing of the crops, which leads to less wine!  I know, I know...this is the domino theory I spent years telling my students to avoid, but it is real I tell you.  And god knows we need wine. 

And fewer politicians!

But seriously, the lack of snow on the mountains in January is disturbing.  I've been waiting for the winter snowfall in Panicale and was told if we don't have it by now, it won't happen.  The world is changing and I don't think it is for the better.  And here we are driving a gas guzzling vehicle.  At least it is a Euro 6.  Not that that helps much I suppose.  

Ok.  Enough of that. Back to the tunnel.  It is almost 17 km long.  Talk about an engineering feat!  This is such a joy to drive through.  Usually we take the San Bernadino Tunnel which is only 7 km long.  It is a detour of an hour to get to Baden-Baden though so I was thrilled to take the route we did.  Today's picnic was a freezing one. 

I'm starting to think maybe we wait until spring for picnics along the way. (Note the new sippy cup Chuck. He needs a different one for wine and beer. He said the flavors were corrupted.)

Our next stop was Baden-Baden.  We love going to the Friedrichsbad Spa there and it sure makes for a great stop along the way.  

Obviously I can't take photos inside the spa, but I can attempt to describe it some. The first rooms are dry saunas. The first was 50° and the second was 55°.  What a difference 5° makes.  The next two rooms are whet saunas.  I don't remember the temperature, but the rooms get progressively warmer until you enter the cold bath at the end.  These are followed by a luke warm pool, then a very shallow hot water bath filled with bubbles-these feel amazing on tired sore calves and feet after driving-and finally a hot pool to relax in.  Sadly, today I think they forgot to pay the electric bill because the three hot baths at the end were tepid at the very best.  To finish off this time, we skipped the cold water plunge having just been through three of them in a row and we went back to the hottest dry sauna insterad.  George and I have been three times now and have just decided it will be a normal stop on our trips to the northern part of Europe.  After spending two hours in the baths, we returned to the hotel (Hotel Quellenhof for those that are interested-a real hidden gem in the city), we had a bit to eat and while watching Succession (HBO movie) I fell into a deep relaxed sleep.  Best nights sleep in weeks.  And that folks is why we really go.

The next morning we took off for Brussels where we met with Alfons Eyckmans.  Here his wife provided us with a local speciality of cheese pie.  It was amazing!  Alfons has promised to send me the recipe for it.  We purchased a few puzzles,

got to visit his workshop,

and had some great conversation.  It was a real pleasure to stop by and see him.  Next trip up, we shall do it again.  

On to the next part of our trip.  Visiting with friends before the toy fair. Until next time, buon fine settimana e buon puzzle a tutti.

 

Little news but plugging along.

This past month has been full of news (stories) but lacking in events.  We have carried on putting the books into the library.  I believe most of them have been placed now.  The next step of course is to catalog them all.  Right now, it's a mess. The only thing that is really separated is the foreign language books and those written by Ivan Muscovich, The Grarbuchuk family, and Martin Gardner.  

The big wood has been placed on the top of the library shelves where they rest very nicely.  The chest room is a disaster yet, but I have begun to place items in the kumuki room.  

I have been attending driving school twice a week, and have really not had time to do much unpacking as I need to translate words I don't know and read in a language that is now the fifth one that I have studied. You'd think by now it would get easier, but as it turns out; for me at least; The more languages I learn, the more my head gets muddled.  I have inadvertently taught our help a lot of Spanish, a bit of German, and a smattering of Cantonese.  But, I progress each day.  Persistence.

We did have a visitor here earlier in the month.  David Weeks, creator of the cubebot came for a visit.  We gave him a tour and overwhelmed him with the amount of items and work that needs to be done yet.  He very kindly gifted us 2 cubebots and signed one for us as well.  They joked about making a special version for the World Puzzle Museum with two different colored feet.  (For those of you who don't know me personally,  I usually wear two different colored shoes.)

This last week we met with a man from the local museum system and the mayor of Panicale to discuss the possibility to open parts of the museum on an appointment only basis for families.  This is still a long way off.  The problem of course remains the ability to play with puzzles.  To get them to understand our philosophy, we took them on a tour of the castle and showed them George's workshop.  Sabrina, our local cultural representative even made a puzzle.  Until I have everything put away, we wait on making any decisions on this.  

Peter Knoppers came out for a week to visit and puzzle.  He was instrumental in helping George to get Laurel and Hardy up and running.  I love the little things.  They just fly through the builds.  We had a lovely dinner in Mosolino, and took a few days to be a tourist.  Perugia, Assisi, and Castiglione del Lago were on the docket this time.  

I started to put together some crystal puzzles again.  I found a couple of boxes that I had prepared before leaving for Italy.  I took them all out of their individual boxes and put them into a much larger box to bring along on the ship with us.  Sadly, the packers packed those boxes and when I found them, it was like Christmas. I truly have no idea what I'm getting when I open a package.  Good fun it is. 

Ah, and more importantly than all of that, the guys got the ground floor of the hotel somewhat put together so I can put puzzles into the room! 

They even made us our first meal in the new kitchen.  Well, on the grill that is in there, but still.  It was nice to eat there. 

Next week we head North for a bit of puzzling, a bit of visiting, and a whole lot of toys! Until next time, Buon fine settimana e buon puzzle a tutti.