Friday, 30 June. Kirchheim Unter Teck

The rain came today but it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits and held off during the important moments. Angela, Theo, Daniel and Jack kindly drove me to Neidlingen. We all met at the town hall at 11.45 and then followed the bride and groom up many flights of stairs to the top of the building, which is where the ceremony was to be held.

No sooner were we all seated than a marvellous old clock struck 12 and a couple of little wooden (I think) figures moved in their window. Lott had timed the wedding specially so that we could see the clock in action.

This was the legal wedding and there was quite a lot of official stuff which was read by the town hall official and translated by someone they hired. I thought it would be a few bits of paperwork and that’s it but the town hall official gave us the whole story of their relationship and the difficulties they went through to get the marriage officially approved. She had really done her homework and made it personal and meaningful. It was a lovely ceremony and naturally there was not a dry eye to be seen when they were finally declared man and wife.

Then it was downstairs for bubbly and photos before we headed to Alex and Lott’s apartment for a long barbecue lunch. It was a very happy day.

Back in Kirchheim, thanks to my chauffeurs, I decided to see if I could find a typical German meal. I was seated at an outside table at the restaurant I chose. I was offered Maultaschen but said no as we had them the other day and instead had beef with a rich onion gravy and spätzle, a local noodle specialty.

While I was eating a rather bizarre thing happened. Two young men came up to me and one of them asked me if he could sing a song and see if it would earn him the price of a drink. Or at least in hindsight I think that’s what he said. I said I didn’t speak much German but he said he’d sing in English so I let him go ahead and he sang a religious song. Afterwards he asked me what I thought and I rambled on about not being religious. “But how much was my song worth?” he asked. I found a two euro coin in my purse and gave him that, hoping he would go away, which he did. A few minutes later back he came and told me he was getting married soon and his mates had given him a list of tasks to complete. It must have been his bachelor party. He thanked me, gave me back my two euros and we had a good laugh. I told him that I had come to Germany to attend a wedding tomorrow, wished him all the best and away he went again. What an amazing end to an amazing day!

Thursday, 29 June. Kirchheim Unter Teck

Tino, Lott’s brother-in-law, picked me up at 9.00 and drove me to his and Stina’s (Christina) apartment (below Alex and Lott) for a special birthday brunch for Joe. Sally and Joe’s niece, Angela and her family arrived from the US during the brunch. They drove straight there from Frankfurt Airport, a mighty effort on their behalf. It was a relaxed and delicious brunch with wonderful bread rolls, meats, cheeses, bratwurst and eggs, as well as a birthday cake for Joe.

Angela and co. drove me back to Kirchheim. They are staying about a five minute walk away from me. This morning at 8.30 I popped in to the hairdresser over the road but had no luck getting an appointment for Saturday morning. So this afternoon I tried a couple more and third time lucky, I have an appointment for a blow wave - I hope. Had a bit more of a wander in the town and an iced coffee when the heat had sapped my energy.

The men had organised a surprise bachelor party for Alex. They were taking him go-carting and then for dinner. So the girls came to my apartment for nibbles and a glass of wine. I provided the venue and Sally, Lott, Kate and Laura brought the goodies. Angela came too and we had a nice relaxed evening, not late as Lott still has things to do. By the way, Lott had had quite a hens’ night with friends and family a while ago.

Tomorrow is the civil ceremony at the town hall and Saturday is the church wedding.

Wednesday, 28 June. Kirchheim Unter Teck

Spent the morning doing a load of washing - apartment has a washing machine!  - and then having a bit of an explore of the old town. It is very beautiful with lots of half timbered houses and a castle, though not the stone fortress type.

After waiting at the bus stop for the bus going in the other direction I finally found the right stop, caught the bus to Neidlingen and walked to the church. Lott and Laura arrived just as I did and Sally appeared shortly after. The church is lovely, simple and light with a beautiful organ in the upstairs part. Lott’s friend arrived and we all helped decorate the church in preparation for the big event. I believe that flowers will be arriving on Saturday as well.

Sally and I had a cuppa in their little apartment and later Sally, Laura and I caught a bus to the next town, Weilheim. Sally and Laura bought a vase to replace one that had been broken and we crossed to the bus stop on the other side of the road for the return to Neidlingen. However that bus didn’t go to Neidlingen, it went to Kirchheim. It appears that it does some sort of a loop and then goes on to Kirchheim. When we got to Kirchheim we had to hop onto another bus for the return to Neidlingen, which made us rather late for dinner. Alex had made a delicious spaghetti bolognaise which was much appreciated by the three of us after our bus adventures.

Had a sample of the local schnapps, both cherry and peach so I expect that I’ll sleep well tonight. Alex and Joe kindly drove me home once again.

The castle and moat 

A door I liked

This is the church where the wedding will be.

This is where the Kelly clan is staying, right next door to the church.

Church interior

Tuesday, 27 June. Offenburg to Kirchheim unter Teck

Said goodbye to my lovely apartment in Offenburg and set off for the station, allowing plenty of time as I had luggage this time. The morning was pleasantly cool and before I knew it I was sitting on Platform 3 with an hour until the train was due. I’d perhaps allowed a bit too long but I didn’t mind the wait as it’s so much better than running late.

Heaps of people arrived just before the train and it was a bit of a bun fight getting on. Someone was sitting in my allocated seat but rather than make him move I grabbed a vacant seat nearby. My journey on this train was only half an hour, to Karlsruhe. This first train was an ICE, the really fast long distance train.

I was ready at the door as the train pulled in to Karlsruhe because I only had 8 minutes to change platforms and get on the next train. No lifts or lovely young men unfortunately so I dragged my case down the stairs and up more stairs onto the next platform. The train, an IC (inter city), was waiting by the platform so I raced down to my carriage and scrambled on, gasping. This was a two level train and a man, who saw me scramble on, kindly helped me down the few steps to the lower level, where my seat was right there by the steps. I think I made it with less than 2 minutes to spare. This was a really nice uncrowded train so I enjoyed my hour long journey to Stuttgart Untertürkheim. 

Some confusion when I got off because I had expected the main station, however after a couple more staircases I was pointed in the right direction to a platform with a lift. There was no rush here as I had a 30 minute wait. Eventually I was on the train to Kirchheim, the last station on that line, and there to meet me were Sally and Lott. Fantastic to be met and to reunite with two lovely people.

Lott drove us to my apartment where we were met by the lady with the keys. She gave us a quick tour and departed. I dumped my belongings and then we were off to Neidlingen. Lott dropped us at Sally, Joe and Laura’s hotel where we had a very welcome cuppa.

A little later Alex picked us up and took us to his and Lott’s place. They live in a lovely apartment a floor above Lott’s sister and brother-in-law, in a house built by Lott’s grandfather. They have a gorgeous view of the surrounding hills. We saw lots of paragliders who apparently take off from a cliff nearby.

Spent a lovely afternoon and evening with Lott’s lovely family and was introduced to a Schwabian dish, Maultaschen, for dinner. Alex and Joe brought me home and after a bit of a wrestle with the door we were in. It’s been a big day but so lovely to finally be here with friends and looking forward to the wedding.

And happy birthday Jenny Mc!!!

Monday, 26 June. Offenburg

Today was my last day in Offenburg. This morning I checked out “The Mount of Olives”, a niche building of a Gothic chapel, built  at the beginning of the 16th century and deemed to be Offenburg’s most valuable and probably oldest work of art.

From there it was down the Wenk Stairs to Zwinger Park, which runs along the base of the old town wall. I wanted some bread for tonight’s dinner so I headed in the direction of the bakery but stopped on the way because there’s a nice looking cafe I have never tried. 

I decided to have a last day cuppa and cake, and what a cake it was. I think it was called a Mango Tango. As I sat at a table in the shade a couple of buskers began playing just opposite, a violinist and an accordionist. They were fantastic and I stayed listening until they packed up. I gave them a pretty good tip as they really made my morning.

Home again to reorganise my case for tomorrow’s departure. Had a bit of a panic when checking my train ticket as I didn’t think the second train was stopping at Stuttgart, but finally realised it was Stuttgart-Untertürkheim so I think I’m OK.

For my last visit to the Eis cafe I ordered the plain ice cream and a latte. I told the friendly waiter it was my last day and soon after a young waitress brought out a giant strawberry-laden ice cream and told me it was a gift! I did my best but there was no way I could get through it all, though I made sure I had all the lovely strawberries. I don’t think I’ll be able to eat ice cream for the next 6 months! It’s nearly 8 o’clock and I’m still not hungry but I was going to finish a few things off before I leave. Might be packing some leftovers to take to Kirchheim.

Sunday, 26 June. Offenburg

Another 32 degree day in beautiful Baden-Württemberg. All went smoothly with my journey to Lahr, which is a pretty big town. There were two things I wanted to see here and with the help of Google Maps I found the Storchenturm (stork tower) pretty easily. It is in old red sandstone tower attached to a last crumbling piece of what must have been the town wall. And yes, there was a stork’s nest on top with a stork in residence.

Like Offenburg and other German towns practically everything was closed because it’s Sunday. The only place where you see people is in the cafes, which is where I headed next. I had seen Cafe Süsses Löchle on the Visit Lahr website. It is a little cafe which has endeavoured to retain its traditional style and I was not disappointed. I enjoyed coffee and cake in a booth by the window and took a couple of photos of the charming interior.

I walked back to the main square by a different route. I had seen what looked like a better bus stop for my return trip. There was a park with a shady seat nearby but by the time I had gone a little further to look at a fountain, a family had occupied the seat. Wandered further and found yet another red sandstone church but also a purple building with a very Art Nouveau style.

Back to the main square, where there was some music and a few food stalls. It looked like more was going to happen, especially as all the roads leading into the square had been closed off. If the roads were closed off the bus was not going to stop at that stop, so I hot-footed it back up the hill to Lammstrasse and waited there. The bus eventually came, thank goodness, and returned me to Offenburg, where the festival was still in full swing.

I bought an Afghan dish like a gozleme, stuffed with cheese and spinach, because I felt a bit mean about not buying anything yesterday. Then I found a seat and watched the show for an hour or so. As I arrived there was a group of Alpenhorn players performing. After that all the acts were local kids either singing or dancing or both. There were a few talented kids with heaps of personality and a lot of groups of dance class students. A few of us enjoyed watching a little girl standing on a table and imitating the dancers. She was spellbound. By this time I wasn’t, so I headed home to cool down for an hour before heading to the Eis cafe for a small ice cream. It has been a rather indulgent day.

This is one of the many shrines you see in the villages and beside the road. They must be or have been very devout.

Saturday, 24 June. Offenburg

After a morning of supermarket, a nice call from Alex and not much else, the afternoon took an unexpected turn.

I was on my way to the park when I came upon Offenburg’s International Festival in the Market Square. There were people everywhere and food stalls from many different countries as well as a stage with performances from all over. Obviously I skipped the park, found a place to sit and watched the show.

Most of the countries I recognised would have been ones with immigrants or refugees who have found their way here. It was great to see so many families enjoying the day and the variety of food.

There were local dance groups and singers as well as a few from South America. I smiled at the number of people on their feet with cameras coming out when the little ballet girls performed. Lots of proud parents and grandparents.

The festival continues tomorrow but I’ve booked a bus ticket to Lahr so I’ll probably miss it, unless they’re still going when I get back. Saw plenty today though. Fingers crossed that the bus shows up for my return trip as the station is at least a half hour walk from the town centre and it’s going to be hot again.