Rhine River cruise Day Leadup: Day 's Minus 4 to 1

Say what?  Days Minus 4 to 1? Has the girl lost her mind?  

Well duh!  But just follow along anyway please.  😉

We started out leaving home on the 3rd (day minus  4) to head to Milan to meet my friend Stephen from Hong Kong.  You see, he was there for a Springsteen concert (that sadly got cancelled, but he did go to a concert in England before the tour was cancelled).  We took a hotel south of Milan as it had parking and the first night, all we did was go get some dinner, and study for that damned driving test.  I managed to finish 2 more chapters worth of videos and it is all coming along.  I'm ever hopeful I'll pass when I finally take the test in August.

On the 4th (day minus 3) we took a walk around Milan, looked at the duomo, saw the shopping center we both remember from our younger (not together) days, had a light lunch, and of course stopped at the Lego store for a custom Lego figure.

A young girl got up for George

That night we met Stephen at a very nice Tuscan trattoria for dinner and a long overdue catch-up.  sadly, 3 hours isn't enough time but we were exhausted and stuffed so off to bed we went.  

The next morning (day minus 2) George and I arose early and headed to our favorite hotel in Baden Baden.  Here we took the baths again and had a nice dinner at the Löwenbräu Biergarten just around the corner before passing out.  

After having a 12 hour sleep!!! I awoke the next morning well rested. I did another video lesson for the driving test and took a few more of the quizzes before heading out to Strasbourg where we would leave our car for the week. 

First stop though was to a Ravensburger outlet where I purchased a few games for the Casa dei Giochi (More on this at some point in the future).  I also got some more ideas for the "public puzzles" in the castle.

Along the way, George and I decided to have a picnic in a park somewhere in France between Baden Baden and Strasbourg.  It was a very underused park that had probably once been a beauty.  Sadly, the grass was overgrown and the picnic tables rotting, but the trees were majestic and simply being with my lover is wonderful.  

We arrived at our hotel (day minus 1) where I dropped George for his midday rest and I went out in search of the main train station, a lego shop and a cathedral.  The ordeal of getting a train ticket was simply too long so I didn't make the cathedral.  Note to self: Buy train tickets online and don't bother with the French system.  As in the past, the people were unhelpful and I could have saved a great deal of time by using the DB app.  

From the main train station, I walked a few blocks to the Lego store to get my passport stamped, then wandered back to the train station to return to George.  Along the way I found an asian grocery and bought a few bottles of Pai Pa Koa for the next time I get a terrible cough. 

The next morning (day 0) we took off for Mainz where we would meet up with OJ (Oskar and José) for our trip down the Rhine.  It all started off well, but typical of the trains lately, there was a delay, then a change of platform, then another delay, then we finally got on the WRONG train.  No matter, we got off in Mannheim and boarded the next train which took us to Mainz (It was the one we were supposed to be on).  On the train we met a nice young pilot who works for Fedex and struck up a conversation.  At the end of the hour, we finally arrived at our destination and took off for the hotel.  

We checked in, had a shower, then headed down to meet Goetz for a chat and dinner.  

My king

On the morning of the 7th (day 1) we met up with Goetz again for a visit at his home and a nice lunch in the park.  Wow!  His collection is lovely and his display is incredible.  Like us, he has the display and play philosophy and everything (well, almost) is within reach.

I liked his collection so much that I used it as a shopping list.  I spent a bit of time ordering puzzles while everyone else puzzled away.  George and I attempted a coordinated motion assembly puzzle, but I got too frustrated and gave up.  I saw some of Tracy's early works and Oskar played with a few puzzles as well (I forget the designers name). 

Around 3 we took our leave and headed back to the Hilton to pick up Oskar's mother Heidi and then we headed over to our home for the week.  

While waiting to check in to our rooms, George and Oskar had a game of chess.  

When finished, George went for a nap, and I had a quick run to the cathedral to look around.

When I returned to the ship there was a captains reception before heading up to dinner.  I think this will be a nice change of pace. 

Can you tell what country the ship is from?

Tomorrow the trip really begins!

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.