ArchieVan heads north. That could be a ridiculous title, after all ArchieVan started heading north back in May when we were released from the Cretan lockdown. But when it’s another country north is just a direction, when you get to England north is The North, a place, a culture, an attitude. Rothenburg ODT. A week […]
Germany
Bavaria. The old man needs a rest.
A cruise? A bus trip? Sightseeing on an organised tour must be exhausting. After several days absorbing the beauty of the Dolomites, the Sud Tyrol and then southern Bavaria I needed to rest my eyes and my mind. A wander around a simple lake, pretty in itself, but unremarkable, was ideal respite from all the […]
The Fatherland.
I’ve just reread the last post. What a week that was. Venice. The Dolomites. The leaky roof. Repairs. Back to the Dolomites and finishing at the immaculate Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina D’Ampezzo. Cortina is most certainly the playground of the rich, yet it’s not intimidating in the way of some such places. There are brand stores […]
Industry, tarmac, lakes and hills.
Volklinger Hütte. Do the words UNESCO World Heritage site conjure up a vision of a pile of old stones? P If it does for you then perhaps this is worth a try. The Volklinger Hütte is the most angry, scratchy, ugly and impressive example of cultural heritage you’re ever likely to come across. It has […]
Basel. Border crossing.
I left Minty in Basel for a week. Not because she’d been bad. And because she hadn’t been bad she got to stay at the lovely Camping Le Petit Port at Huningue, just the French side of Basel. Surrounded by trees, Polly and Minty had a near constant chorus of bird song. From there a […]
Loaded down with fine wine!
Alsace. After Ribeauville and Riquewhir it would be hard to believe that there could be more prettiness, but then comes Colmar. Near Germany. Near Switzerland. With 67,000 inhabitants it’s a big town, in fact the retail area is huge, yet it retains a small town feel. It’s Gothic. It’s medieval. It’s heaving with tourists, and […]