Nürnberg

30 April 2022.

Breakfast was another leisurely affair in greater Hohenfels capped off with homemade sourdough bread provided by one of Glen's colleagues who has definitely mastered this particular skill.

Eventually we got ourselves together, loaded into the car and headed off to the Parsberg train station where the six of us caught the train to Nürnberg.

Exiting the train station via an underground passage we were immediately confronted by one of the original main gates of the old city. And just inside the gate was a small group of shops just behind the tower and wall. Leaving the gate we began our stroll heading toward one of the city's main attractions, the Kaiserberg Castle.

Parsberg station

part of the old walls that once encircled what is today the old part of the city

small group of shops tucked in behind the tower

back onto the pedestrianized portion of the old city

We popped into Saint Lorenz church (one can never see enough gothic churches) and stopped for coffee to await the city's glockenspiel at noon. Soon afterwards we found ourselves in the large open air city market and meandered among the tents of everything from fresh food to pottery.  We were so impressed by the fresh vegetables that it was decided then and there to stop on our way back to the train and pick up some goodies for supper.

 

Saint Lorenz church

back onto the street

the group standing in front of the side entrance to Saint Lorenz

the lactating fountain

Ship of Fools by Kurt Klutentreter

city open air market

Since it was lunchtime we made our way to one of the city's most famous brat houses to sample the world-famous Nürnberger brat. I had mine with potato salad (incredible) while several others opted for sauerkraut. The brats could be ordered in 6-, 8-, 10-, or 12-sausages (they are small though). One of the popular ways to handle the sausages is to also order one of the rolls and create your own sandwich (Glen handled this particular option with ease).  Quite a few people were doing the same, particularly at the outside tables scattered along the walkway.

Brautwursthausle

Nürnberger brats

outside the brat haus

From the brat haus we continued out trek upwards to the castle where we had not only superb views of the city but also enjoyed a stroll around the castle walls.

strolling toward the castle

Kaiserberg castle

Glen, Susie, Kiera, Liam, Christina and me

rooftop drainage

inside the castle

Walking down from the castle it began to rain lightly and the group opted to stop for ice cream. We waited out the downpour in the gelateria while the kids enjoyed some truly stupendous ice cream treats.

Eventually we had to leave and so we headed back out into the light rain, making our way back to the train station. The train wasn't as crowded as our morning one and so we all got to sit (more or less) together.

protest in the rain outside Saint Lorenz

getting our meat for supper out of a vending machine

That evening Christina fixed a delicious supper of boiled weisswurst (white sausage), a Munich specialty, blanched spargel (white asparagus), a Bavarian spring specialty, and roasted potatoes, while Glen grilled a half dozen slices of pork (from the vending machine).

Tomorrow it's Sunday, May Day in Europe and we plan to be lazy before driving into Regensburg. Stay tuned!

Hohenfels

29 April 2022.

The morning began with warm sun and the weather got only nicer as the day wore on. It was good to be out of a big city for a change and the fact we could spend quality time with family made the casual chitchat over breakfast all the more inviting. 

Susie started the first round of a major laundry project but found time to leave with the group to participate in a 10K walk sponsored by the community. While the group was out for their walk I wisely stayed at home catching up on some online chores. . . 

The walk began near Liam's school on post and meandered through fields and forests (Susie noted there were a great many paths hereabouts) until everyone stopped for lunch in a nearby soccer field. 

taking a lunch break from walking

view from the backyard of the McD home

the patio and rear of the McD home

After relaxing on the patio and sipping a little sparkling wine the group headed out for the nearby small town of Kallmünz for a walk up to the castle ruins followed by dinner at a local trattoria. That's up next!

Off to Hohenfels and family

 28 April 2022.

Thursday began sunny and chilly but with promise of warmth later in the day. True to form, Mother Nature would keep her promise.

Susie and I finished packing up while having morning coffee and prepped the apartment for our departure. At 10:40 our Uber driver showed up and off we went, happy to let him maneuver through the chaotic maze that is downtown Munich traffic. Fifteen minutes later he dropped us off at the central train station and we quickly found our train listed on the departures board. We climbed aboard and, with few travelers in our section, had our choice of seats. We settled in for the relatively short (about 2 hours) train ride to Parsberg where our niece Christina would pick us up. The train left Munich on time (they usually do it would seem).

Once outside Munich and its suburbs the train took us through lovely rolling farmlands of southern Bavaria. After passing through Regensburg the landscape turned hillier and the valleys more dramatic with the occasional rocky cliff faces popping up here and again overlooking a winding stream below. Quite a lovely ride.

At a little before 14:00 (2:00pm) and about 20 minutes outside of Regensburg we got off at the small station of Parsberg where Christina was waiting for us on the platform. A quick 10-minute drive and we pulled into their driveway just outside the lovely village of Hohenfels.

Once settled and (partially) unpacked the three of us headed back out for a tour of the army base where Glen is stationed.  After spending a few minutes getting our passes to permit us entry to the base Christina drove us to Glen's office where we got a chance to see the man at work. She then gave us a quick tour of that part of the base open to the public before returning home for the afternoon.

After catching up on all the family news the six of us went out for dinner at a nearby restaurant noted for Bavarian specialities, timed perfectly for the weekly Thursday schnitzel night with several different schnitzel specials available. Christina and I opted for a schnitzel stuffed with cheese accompanied by roasted potatoes, Kiera and Susan each had the schnitzel with a mushroom sauce and accompanying spaetzle while Glen and Liam had an Italian version with tomatoes and mozzarella, all washed down with a local beer. The food was sehr lecker and the beers equally tasty.

Once back at their house we sat up and chatted over a digestif before bedtime.

A wonderful day all round and it was a special treat to be able to visit the McDs once more in Europe.

looking down the McD's driveway in the direction of Hohenfels

Glen, Christina and Susie

Rechberger Hof

off for home