We caught our train to Staudernheim and then entertained the locals by trying to find our hotel using very fractured German. A noisy whistle alerted us to strange beings in the town - yes - it was Marea and Michael. The meeting with Bettina's family and the pre wedding party were fantastic. A mobile beer cart, a pork spit roast, great salads, an oom pa pa band and lots of laughs and happy people made for a great night. Then a late night walk back through the very sleepy little village to our guest house completed a fantastic day.
Today (Friday) we travelled to Ruddesheim – the town where the great wedding will take place. We are in an Irish pub right beside the Rhine. I have crossed the Rhine by car ferry. The hospitality is great. While we waited for our bags to arrive the bar man bought us coffee and cake and when I attempted “death by coughing” they brought free mineral water. There is good internet access and a tea / coffee / hot chocolate bar on the floor above us. This pub has been owned by the one family since the 1500s. I am not sure about the Irish influence however. The shops are great - little narrow streets and old buildings, wine bars, beer cellars, German Christmas decorations, cuckoo clocks, embroidery, leather caps, beer steins and all sorts of tourist non necessities. This afternoon we took the gondola ride to the top of the mountain – what a view!
Marea and I are having our hair and make up done tomorrow morning in preparation for the ceremony at the Rathous and the reception at the vineyard. Let us hope we are still standing at day’s end!!!!!!
This was taken from the train as we whizzed along the Rhine - this is one of the best train trips I think I have done.
Cookibng the meat at the pre wedding festivities - Marea and the boys
Looks great! Give in and buy souvenirs - and mail them to me for safekeeping!
ReplyDeleteI hope that the wedding went well.