Category: Germany

Visiting Germany

A final day in Passau

We started our day today by going to the bike hire shop to pick up our bikes and the Chariot. It’s going to be quite a ride on these European style sit up bikes, although I quite like the upright position.

Fahrrad-Klinik has good reviews and so far so good with their service. They promise the tyres are very puncture resistant to the point of insisting you don’t need a pump or repair kit, so let’s hope this is also true!

This Chariot is quite different to the one back home, so it took quite a bit of fettling and two attempts to get the car seat in a position and stable enough that I was happy with. Good job there was a cafe next to the bike shop!

From here we went onto the Cathedral, where at 12pm daily there is a 30 min organ concert for €5. Passau cathedral has the biggest organ in Europe with a crazy number of organ pipes, over 17,000! So it makes so good noise.

Evie loved it….

….. and then fell to sleep. But this did mean I could really sit and appreciate the surroundings! As well as a very impressive organ, were equally impressive walls ceilings, and a door lock (bigger than my head!).

We trialled the bikes again around the bumpy streets of Passau

And then Evie slept whilst I did some work! Possibly not the most effective way of working ever???

Out for the evening. Possibly THE BEST CURRY EVER, that I have ever tasted, at an Indian restaurant called Marahaja. Evie even guzzled a few grains of rice and curry sauce. And grabbed great handfuls of rice. Messy mealtimes are afoot big style I think.

She also liked to pick the flowers… but they did make her even prettier!

Tomorrow the cycling begins in earnest…. next chapter of this trip….. we are all excited!

Passau – cruising down the river on a sunny afternoon

Another amazing breakfast to start the day, although this morning Evie is more interested to practice her standing than she is to try food.

We headed out to the head of Passau peninsula, to see where the rivers Inns, a glacial river, and Danube (not glacial) converge. Quite a stark contrast when looking down on it.

We then boarded another boat, as we had decided that the best way to avoid the heat but still see things was to go on a 5 hr river cruise. This was really reasonable at €18 and it was a beautiful boat journey, passing through woodland and agricultural areas and past small villages. Have us an idea of what is to come when we start cycling.

Leaving Passau we saw the convergence more clearly. Another interesting point was a big lock that the boat entered, due to a change in river heights due, I think, to a hydropower station.

Took quite a while to get through…. twice.

We took a picnic with us, but when we saw other people’s food come out and saw the prices (cheaper than most land restaurants), we decided to save the picnic for later and treat ourselves to food on the boat.

Evie’s interest in food continued, and today she discovered strongly flavoured courgette and red pepper! Can’t say I blame her, it was scrummy.

We took in some more gorgeous views….

Before treating ourselves to ice-chocolates…. must not make a habit of this! Enjoyed this as we headed back towards Passau.

The boat trip over, but as well as being relaxing and enjoyable in its own right, it served its important purpose of keeping Evie Bean out of the heat of the day (because it certainly is hot here in the afternoons).

So we decided that by now a leg stretch was in order and ascended the many steps up to the castle, to gain a view over Passau.

Even with Evie in a front sling, keeping a steady pace, this was fine. And it was worth it. The views from the top were spectacular. So many different coloured building and roofs. And the cathedral just towers high above the rest (the the other buildings are not small!).

The descent was pretty special to.

And probably one of the best nappy change spots yet…

We also caught the sun setting making it all very pretty, and turning us into golden girls!

Back to the peninsula park for our picnic.

I had to test the waters with my toes. And I’m not sure if I was surprised or not, but the Inns was notably more refreshing (cold) than the Danube. I would say there are degrees in difference.

From there, a stroll back in the beautiful light and past time to get Evie to bed. What an amazing day we have all had…. and, thankfully, no toilet incidences tonight to finish the story!

Passau by night

It was far too hot this afternoon for mooching with a baby, and a sleep was long overdue as well. But what that meant was that we saw Passau in a pleasant evening heat & light.

Still hot when we did go out, we dived into the closest church, St Paul’s, which looked pretty plain on the outside, but was beautifully ornate inside

But first dinner, where we enjoyed a view of the river. Evie is now very much at the point where, given the opportunity, her hands would be in my dinner the whole time, and she is definitely enjoying trying lots of tastes.

Evie must have been thirsty as she grabbed for the glass and, on offering, drank quite a bit of water. Most people have a tippee cup, we have a normal glass!

We strolled around, along the Danube, then crossed over through very narrow cobbled streets, to bring us out on the bank of the river Inns, whilst Evie Bean fell into a deep sleep in the sling.

The buildings began to get beautifully lit up, definitely a place to explore by night.

What better way to finish the day than with an Eis Schokolade….

…… and then feeling your sleeping baby wee all down your leg ! Time for a bath & change!

Regensburg to Passau- the journey continues

We managed a relaxing swim in the river after breakfast this morning. Needed a relax after the shock of being asked to pay 20 Euro for the use of the cot for two nights. Am hoping this is not going to be a common additional cost!

Then back to the hotel and into a taxi, which for a quiet Sunday morning, the taxi driver had notable road rage! She humphed at every red traffic light and the other bad drivers!

The train station was more lumping bags up & down… I must surely be getting stronger ! Something strange was going on, lots of men in lederhosen and women in traditional wear.

Upon asking Evie’s new friends, we found our they were going to Straubing beer festival, Barvaria’s 2nd largest beer festival.

After the excitement of interesting dress and lots of stimulation she decided on a power nap towards the end of the journey, in time for a change of trains and platforms.

From one to the next she is awake and jolly again! Managing the journey exceedingly well.

Finally arriving in Passau, we continued to learn our lesson and in the blistering heat got a taxi 500m down the road to our hotel.

It is hot hot hot. Evie Bean is chilling out, trying to decide how best to spend her time here!

Rambling around Regensburg – a UNESCO world heritage site

Our hotel, Hotel Lux, is full of antiquities, including the breakfast bar.

Evie goes European with cucumber to munch on for breakfast this morning

Its a hot day here so back to the room and sunscreen for all before heading out. Grandma also pulls out a present for Evie Bean, a baby rucksack. Still a little small for it yet and not easily combined with the sling, but I think she likes it and it will no doubt go on many adventures with her.

a now familiar walk over the bridge but nice reflections in the river.

After working out our travel plans to get to Passau tomorrow, we went up the old tower for a view of the rooftops.

We continued on into Regensburg old town to walk the streets and enjoy a sit in a cafe where Evie decides the onwards route.

She wants to visit Regensburg cathedral! I never failed to be impressed by cathedrals and this is one magnificent both outside, with its intricate carvings, and inside with its high vaulted ceilings. For a hot day with a baby, it’s also cool within.

From Regensburg cathedral to the banks of the river for a picnic lunch and…. a swim!! Brief but refreshing, this was much enjoyed.

We had booked a boat tour for 3pm. I now wished it had been 4pm so we could have enjoyed the river for longer. But onto the boat it was, with now one very tired and upset Evie, who promptly fell to sleep!

We did a 50 min boat tour, so really just saw the river banks. If I had another day here I think I would have done a longer one as the pictures of the gorge look beautiful, and there is only so long that I can ramble around a town on my feet, even less so on a hot day with Evie on my front. Still, Evie woke in a good mood and was then mesmerised by the ripples on the water from the wake of the boat. This kept her happy for the duration of the journey, as well as making friends with a little German girl, who wasn’t quite sure about the strength of Evie’s grip!

Back into Regensburg for another wonder, we went into the Rathaus (town hall), which had the most amazing acoustics. As I sung a few notes Evie was entranced!

A little more wandering and we came across another church that although a plain building was magnificent on the inside. Apparently there used to be a church for every day of the year here in Regensburg. There certainly are a lot! And then a little bit of Rome.

Back to the hotel where I did a bit of work whilst Grandma took Evie on an adventure across the road to another cafe.

The day wouldn’t end without dinner, which we had in a restaurant just across the road from the hotel, and very scrumptious food it had to (Meier – Ein Lokal). But then (this is a blog about a baby remember), I smelt it before I felt it, but she had already dealt it. Thankfully now just across the road, I left mum to pay and went to clear up the mess. Let’s just say it was a bath for two, and all of both our clothes needed hand washing. Let’s hope they are dry by the morning!

Munich to Regensburg- 17/08/18

After yesterday’s long day, we had a relaxed start, with an impressive breakfast at Hotel Munich City.

Tummy’s filled, with Evie trialling even more fruits (she liked Kiwi & watermelon today!), we learned our lesson from yesterday and booked a taxi from the hotel to the station. It felt so long on foot, but rather short by car! Still, there was no way we were lugging those bags over 1km again!

Typically, platform 1 was at the opposite end of the station and down two levels, so we didn’t totally escape lugging the bags!

Train number one was a bit like the London Underground. Surrounded by all this luggage I am wondering how on earth we will get it all on two bikes!

Evie chose the opportune moment (3 mins before getting off) to be properly sick all over both of us. She is rarely sick, so a surprise to us both; maybe that kiwi wasn’t such a great idea?? So now I am hot and smell!

With a change at Freising, the next train was a bit novelty, with comfy compartments within the carriages.

Next opportune moment meant a nappy change, and given as all toilets on the train were out of action then it just had to happen in our compartment

This then equals hunger and, despite not being interested in her milk, she was very happy when I opened a banana. Though her hands wanted it more than her mouth.

We arrived in Regensburg at 2pm, taxi at the hotel, for the reception of Hotel Lux where we are booked in to be closed. After trying to understand a notice, I ask the nice lady in the jewellery shop next door. She sends me across to a restaurant, which is shut. I finally find the chef, he finds a key. None of us can open the door…. so we wait in the corridor….

Eventually another woman arrives. I’m glad at this point I did A level German as she has no English. But the door is finally opened. And very nice to see, as requested but not necessarily expected, a cot for Evie (shame she is too small to use the lovely bedding).

After a drink in the cafe opposite and a quick visit to a rather lovely deli, it’s time for a snooze.

Then up in time for some dinner and a short wander over the bridge just to give us an idea of what it will be like.

We are excited to go and discover this UNESCO world heritage site properly tomorrow.

An evening mooch around Munich

Having flown in earlier day and then that epic walk with our bags to the hotel, we had a little chill before heading out to see the sights of old-town Munich.

We headed to the main centre of Marienplatz, with the Rathaus centred in amongst impressive Cathedral domes and other splendid buildings. Very lovely old centre and worth a visit.

We built up a good appetite so finished the evening with an ever so not German dinner of halal kebab!! But wow was it scrumptious. Called ‘Simbads’ at the end of Schwanthalerstrasse…. just incase you ever want to try it.

Penrith to Munich- 16/08/18

4.30am alarm! Even too early for Evie.

5.57am train Penrith to Manchester Airport, with a sad goodbye to Daddy, who we will see in a couple of weeks, when part 1 of our holiday adventure is over. Evie, my mum and me set off. The journey was spent sleeping, looking at people and munching on cucumber!

Through check in…. pleased I could take the car seat without extra cost.

Through security, where I was again pleased to be able to take her milk through. Having a baby didn’t make any of the rest of security less thorough though. If anything it was even more so.

Some quick breakfast and ready to board the plane.

Evie had a little mini belt attached to my belt, not that it really stopped her wriggling. Luckily the cabin crew gave her a little toy and my seat neighbour enjoyed entertaining her.

After snoozes and wriggles we landed. Got the Number 1 bus straight to the city centre, all going far too easily.

Now picture a baby in front sling, rucksack on back, 18kg bag over one shoulder, car seat in other arm. Then the taxi driver says it is easier to walk than drive…. talk about a sense of humour failure when after 10 mins in sweltering heat we still hadn’t reached the hotel…. but in the end we made it.

We will be catching a taxi back to the station!