One of the joys since marrying Jan has been the pleasure of meeting Sylvia & Jochen Goldt who live in a small village in Hohenfels, Germany. It is such a delightful village that when we first visited them in 2010, we just fell in love with it and the people and the surroundings; not to forget the outstanding hospitality.
With the completion of one cruise and having some time available before going on the next cruise, it was opportune to visit Sylvia & Jochen on our way to Rome where we would re-board our cruise ship. With our UK visit now over, we left London for Zurich with British Airways. A pleasant enough journey got us into Zurich in good time. Having been in this airport before, it was no great difficulty to find our way to train station, endorsed our Eurail Travel Pass, and found our way to the right platform (not like last time). Our journey to Singen required a change of trains in Schaffhausen. When we disembarked at this station and about to cross to another platform, we noticed that the train on the other side of the same platform where we arrived, was about the depart for.....Singen! Well, why not. Let's go and hope for the best. It was about the leave and we jumped on just in time. It got us into Singen at least half an hour earlier. Needless to say, Jochen & Sylvia were no where to be seen , expecting us to arrive on the later train. Being lunch time, we do what most people and bought ourselves a German bread roll.
It was good to catch up with our friends who were a little surprised to see us waiting for them. We just love adventure and our life's journey has intriguing twists that are rarely boring! Our friends were disappointed that our stay would only be for four nights and in truth, we would have loved to stay longer. But we made the best of our stay. Enjoyed one another's company, shared food & drink, laughed a lot and saw some lovely parts of southern Germany we had not seen before. As always, our days were well organised and we loved it all!
Over the next three full days, we covered quite a bit of country as can be seen in the following map:
The first day we went to Freiburg, a medieval city in the Black Forest. While it was raining during our visit, we still enjoyed the atmosphere of this town. I think there was a market operating on the day, which meant hoards of people.
It always intrigues me to see McDonalds next to an ancient building!
Pedestrians, cars and trams all have a right of way.
Love the cobble stone streets. Looks great!
Great atmosphere!
Entering the medieval minster in Freiburg.
Always fascinating to see the excellent craftsmanship in these buildings!
Interior is outstanding! Look at the 'floating' cross!
The organ so beautifully situated. Would love to have played it
(without a crowd present).
For quite reflection on lives gone.
The drive through the Black Forest country side is so peaceful.
Arriving At St Peters to have a look at the monastery.
Autumn colours added to our enjoyment.
The courtyard of St Peter's monastery.
St Peter's Church
A real sense of space and the ethereal.
And, of course, the King of Instruments.
Farewell good friend! Keep guard on this beautiful place!
Driving home we stopped off at this lovely spot Titisee
Situated on the banks of the Danube River. Outstanding!
A happy trio!
Photos were not permitted in the castle, but the Internet has some great images that gives evidence of a powerful family and its influence on Germany. Just google Castle Simaringen images, and presto, you will be enthralled with some excellent photographs.(without a crowd present).
For quite reflection on lives gone.
Germans market themselves well. 'Time waits for no man'!
Rather like this clock seller!
Finally, we paid our compliments to the city fathers at the Rathaus.
The drive through the Black Forest country side is so peaceful.
Arriving At St Peters to have a look at the monastery.
Autumn colours added to our enjoyment.
The courtyard of St Peter's monastery.
And, of course, the King of Instruments.
The following day saw us back on the road to the outstanding castle of Sigmaringen. It was a gorgeous day, allowing us to take some excellent photographs. Great choice Jochen & Sylvia! The castle is located on the banks of the Danube and dominates the town of Singmaringen.
Wikipedia tells us that:
'Sigmaringen Castle was the princely castle and seat of government for the Princes of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen. Situated in the Swabian Alb region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, this castle dominates the skyline of the town of Sigmaringen.The Swabian Hohenzollern family created by a split in 1576 and were raised to the status of imperial princes in 1623. The then counts of Hohenzollern-Hechingen and Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen gained full sovereignty over their principalities in 1806 only to relinquish them to their relatives of the Prussian royal house in 1850. After the lack of a male heir, the Hohenzollern-Hechingen line died out in 1869.
Relatives from the Sigmaringen line assumed the title of Prince/Princess of Hohenzollern without any further additions. The Hohenzollern ancestral castle expresses the historical significance and might of the kinship between the Prussian and princely house of the Hohenzollern lines, who today share ownership of the castle.
The castle was rebuilt following a fire in 1893, and only the towers of the earlier medieval fortress remain.'
A happy trio!
Our own final look of the Simaringen township from the castle.
For us, the time in the castle was far too short and we would loved to explore it in our own time. But such was not available. Instead, we were back on the road on our way to another monastery near (I think) Beuron. The drive alone was worth going that way. Very enjoyable!
The tunnels were one way only. So caution was necessary. We had a good driver!
The Autumn colours inspired us for more photos!
Just little gems such as this!
Or the majesty of a castle on a rocky hill!
Arriving at the monastery, we were met by this charming Bavarian. I do believe we matched him pretty well. What do you think Jochen? This monastery is in a delightful setting and , once again, along with the autumn colours, presented a lovely scene.
How do you do and welkommen!
A lovely scene!
One again, beautiful art in a worshipful atmosphere. Time for a prayer!
Then a look above and enjoy the colourful images that I am sure tell their own story.
As part of this establishment, we found this chapel. So different and so private.
A place of quiet rest and meditation.
Traveling through villages that are lit up in gold. Great!
Our final day was spent travelling to the Rhine Falls & Stein Am Rhein. Once again, it was a super day. It was all so very scenic. We had seen the Rhine Falls from the train, but of course could never capture what we saw after we parked the car and wandered around the falls.
Two happy friends enjoying each others' company!
It was all pretty spectacular!
The Personalities of the Day!
Us two, of course!
Clowning around like teenagers!
Jochen too is in on the act!
Jochen did not quite have the strength -
Obviously, I am no a push-over!
The railway bridge over which we traveled.
Our journey from the Rhine Falls to Stein Am Rhein was very scenic and much enjoyed. Being a Monday, it was pretty quiet everywhere and we felt that we had the place mostly to ourselves.
Stein Am Rhein. No doubt a busy holiday place in summer for German families.
Southern Germany architecture, but not many people.
'Warmed' (!) by your enjoyable companionship!
BUT.........
It is time to say good bye. The next part of our journey is waiting for us and the train is at the station:
Singen - Zurich - Milan - Florence - all on a fast and comfortable train.
With beautiful scenery along the way. Great pics taken by Jan.
Through the Swiss Alps on a lovely day.
Very comfortable @ 290 km/h. Florence here we come!
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