Category: Trips

A Daytrip to Freiberg

Today started grey, overcast with intermittent showers. Not the best weather for exploring new places, however, undeterred and armed with waterproof clothing, we decided to visit the City of Freiburg. Included in our campsite fees was a tax that allowed us free use of public transport.

We caught a bus from the top of the road into Titisee, and then a double-decker train (I do like these European trains), into Freiburg. Freiburg is a bustling University City with interesting and ornate architecture in all directions. Many of the roads are still cobbled and there is busy tram system used throughout the city. Our first Port of call was the tourist information centre, when we picked up a map and a few key points of interest. The map is good because it had a planned route that took in some of the main features of the city. These included the old and new Town Hall, several squares, Churches and cathedrals. The city, at one time, was protected by walls and the gates into and out of the city are still well maintained. You needed to be careful while you walking and looking up around you because along the roads were open drain ways where the water flowed.

 

Camping Bankenhof

We arrived about 5:30 in glorious sunshine. We were lucky enough to find a good pitch and were soon settled in, with chairs out basking in the sunshine and drinking a well-earned cup of tea.

As I Lay back in the sunshine reflecting on our journey and thinking about how lucky we are to be able to spend our days travelling around Europe’s most beautiful places and meeting folk from many different countries.

Lesley made one of my favourite dinners, kedgeree, and I finish the evening by reading some of Chris Evans autobiography and watching the first episode of Inspector George Gently.

Triberg Falls

Triberg Falls are Germany’s highest waterfalls and quite spectacular. The waters of the Gutach plunge over 160 m in seven cascades into the valley below. The dense ravine forest, with its varied moss and fern flora, are canopied by silver firs and spruces of up to 50 m in height. Granite rock formations, crags and rambling streams contribute to the spectacular scenery at the waterfalls, the preferred habitat of the delightful squirrels. Triberg is in the heart of the Black Forest and one of its most renowned tourist attractions. It is famous for its woodcarving, cuckoo clocks and the Black Forest Railway. The railway has 37 tunnels and is said to be one of the most beautiful mountain railways in Europe.

Racing in Spain

IMG_5799Lesley and I have enjoyed our races in Spain. We have run five races in all with distances as unusual as 5.2k and 14k to the more usual 10k and two half marathons. We did quite well in our age groups with 2 first places and 5 second places. Prizes are given for the first three in each category but they do sometimes cap the upper age group. Two of the races capped the vets’ categories at 50! Races cost between 10 and 18 euros with great goody bags, often with two technical T-shirts. All the races were well organised and had chip timing, they don’t bother with finishing funnels. Post race time is important. We always had music, usually live, and free food and drink (including beer), for the runners and their family and friends. We would highly recommend races here if you get the chance.

Los Dolores 10K

Trophy ShotProbably the last of our Spanish races for this trip resulted in a win for Lesley in the FV50 age category. This was the first time this race had been run and we felt uncertain about how well organised it would be or how big, especially as they capped the vet categories at V50. We needn’t have worried however. There were over 300 runners entered, as usual the race was chipped. The goody back contained a long sleeve tech running vest and plenty of goodies. Lots of supporters and loud music added to the festive atmosphere.

The race followed a two lap flat course, which kept us near the centre of the town and the spectators. At its ends the runners doubled back on themselves allowing you to see the runners in front and of course Lesley and I were able to see how each other were doing. I could see that Lesley was having a good race and that there was a good chance of her winning a prize. I enjoyed the race (even though I had a sore chest) and finished in 43 minutes, nowhere near the contenders in the over 50 group. Lesley stayed strong and ran a fast time of 52 minutes and was first FV50 runner. The only problem was that the cup a really just a little bit too big for our motorhome trophy shelf, but I’m sure we’ll fit on somehow. All in all a good day at the races. To celebrate, we went to Paddy Singh’s restaurant for Sunday lunch. Lovely.

Website for race, details and results.


Bridge Lesson

Well, we’ve had our first Bridge lesson today. Recent years have seen my card playing limited to snap with Ella, my Grandaughter, and, from memory, Ella won. I expected it to be a bit more involved than the card games of my childhood and I was right. For a start, you have to hold 13 cards, that’s a lot when you’re not used to it, then there’s the business of the suits having different ranks, cards having different values, bidding, etc. All made more challenging because the cards, like our teacher, are Dutch. Martin conducted the whole lesson in English, very impressive. With all the challenges of learning the basics, (we have 8 weeks before we leave for France), I can see that this is a game we will enjoy. Now I need to do my homework ready for lesson 2.

Los Belones

Time for a coffee. As usual we had our Spanish lesson this morning and of course while we were there the wind was blowing and the windsurfers were having a great time. By the time I got to the beach at 12:00 the wind had dropped off. I did an hour but nothing very exciting.

We decided to go to Los Belones for a coffee. Pictures show a view of Fuente and a mural of Los Belones (painted on the gable end of a building from the same street).

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Dirk’s December Do

Another Oompah evening. The dutch certainly like their barrel organ style music. It was a good evening and Trevor and Sue joined us which was nice. Research shows that one of their (the Dutch) favorite songs, “The Red Rose Cafe”, (Het kleine café aan de haven) is actually a Dutch song written in 1975 by Pierre Kartner, also known as Vader (Father) Abraham. He’s also known for the Smurf song. I have to admit I much prefer the version by the Fureys.