EVACUATED!!

GERMANY

Our first destination once we'd crossed the border was to explore 
Trier -  Germany's oldest city set in the midst of the vineyards of the river Mosel. 

 
It was from the bus where I caught my first glimpse of the Porta Nigra looming up in front of us - the impressive 2nd century Roman city gate.

Having walked through this imposing gateway I was surprised at how pleasantly small and compact the city centre was - how effortlessly we were able to explore all the sights on our list as well as delving into the smaller hidden corners.  The market square was full of colourful fruit stalls, flowers and painted facades and fountains - I felt so overwhelmed by the beauty of the place I really didn't know where to aim the camera next!

Market Square (Haupt Markt)

Market Fountain

 

 

Wurst......  wurst...... and more wurst.......

A shop full of amazing instruments, yet perhaps not the best dressed window in town !

 

Top section of the Market Cross

Cathedral - the oldest church in Germany

Pipe Organ

 

Section of the Dome Ceiling

Liebfrauenkirche (Church of Our Lady) - 13th century church set right beside the Cathedral

Constantine's Throne Room - the Basilica - the largest surviving single-room structure from Roman Times 
and today used as a Protestant church

St Gangolf's Church which sits snugly surrounded by stalls and shops!

Fountain in Kornmarkt

Imperial Baths

As we returned through the Porta Nigra gate,  we reflected on our day in Trier - all in all a beautiful place to stroll, explore and especially to spend our wedding anniversary.

We had these little fellas for company as we enjoyed a
celebratory drink on our return

Not quite what we expected to see on our site in Trier -  call home ??

Neckargemund

Travelling further south east, we discovered a cosy little site set alongside the river Neckar beside the village of Neckargemund and just a short bus ride into Heidelberg - perfect!  Though there had been much rain we were given a well drained pitch - avoiding rain-sodden areas was now becoming all too familiar for us and all other tourers, creating a nightmare for site owners!  

The little town of Neckargemund took us by complete surprise with its charm -

Neckargemund - just a short stroll from the campsite

 

I'd never liked beer until I tasted wheat beer !!

I spotted some very appealing art deco wine glasses in an antique shop and before I knew it I was through the door and enquiring as to the price. Then my eye was drawn to a pair of exquisite crystal glasses - oh and that gorgeous scarlet red venetian glass bowl .........   Suffice to say that 2 days later a pair of crystal glasses, pair of art deco glasses and a beautiful Murano glass bowl were safely ensconced in our motor home!!  By which time the shop owner and I were on first name terms and enjoying morning coffee together!  I was berated by my son who was convinced that within a week there would be a guaranteed breakage - so far so good I'm pleased to report!  And I remain a firm believer such an elegant drink as wine is eminently more enjoyable drunk from beautiful glassware!  And the glass fruit bowl goes with our poppy tablecloth from Bruges just perfectly. 

Heidelberg
Our first jaunt into the postcard perfect city of Heidelberg was to meet up with my nephew (Alex) and his wife (Andrea) who live and work in Stuttgart.  We were blessed with one of the best weather days - the sun was shining, the sky a clear blue and we had such a super great fun day with them both. 

Alte Brucke (Old Bridge)

Bridge Gate

Famous brass monkey - touch the mirror for wealth !!

Church of The Holy Spirit

We happened upon a Sunday service, attended by a huge congregation, in the Heumarkt

 

 

Having enjoyed lunch together we took the long, strenuous climb up to the Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Way) where we enjoyed a pleasant walk amidst a plethora of breathtaking panoramas of Heidelberg old town across the River Neckar.  

Happy Days!

Totally unexpectedly, shortly after our return to site, ominous black thunder clouds rolled across the sky and large rain spots began to fall.  In minutes, rain was falling so fast and heavily we might just as well have been sitting under a waterfall - and so it continued throughout the entire night.  We were still in bed in the morning when there was an urgent rapping on our door - the site owner alerting us that the site must be evacuated and everyone to be gone by midday.  With all the rains (and hail storms!) over the last week or so, the rivers were already swollen and now the Neckar was about to burst its banks.  This was beginning to sound familiar!   So a scramble to dress and pack up to move on - where??   Out came the road atlas and campsite books!  Wherever we went, it had to be to higher ground than of late but not too far in the hope we could return in a few days and pick up where we'd left off in Heidelberg!!