We spent an idyllic day or so exploring the towns of the Romantic
Road. There are some towns that Bomber Harris did not get time to destroy and
these are quite beautiful.
Even Würzburg – which
he bombed to a pulp – has managed pretty much to put itself back together again
and is a quite beautiful mediaeval city. Some of them he did not get to at all
– this would have had him biting his pillow – and remain absolute gems and
worthy of close inspection.
You all know my
thoughts on Arthur Harris. He was a war criminal who should have been hanged.
But only the losing side has war criminals.
We got lucky and had
lots of snow. I know most people would think of this as a hindrance – but we
love it and to walk around a town like Nordringen – as we did – including the
still extant town walls – being pelted with snow - was a complete joy.
We were lucky with our
hotels – the one in Würzburg was a real gem – and we encountered no
rat-infested hovels.
We were due to stay in
the Panoramagasthof in the mountains but could not get to it. We encountered
something of a snowstorm and Billy simply could not cope with the conditions of
the roads – and indeed – nor could we.
So – still in a
snowstorm – we beat retreat to Innsbruck
– and it took us three hours to cover 110 kilometers.
There we stayed in the
Penz hotel and had our most unpleasant experience of the trip. We had forgotten
after Germany – and we keep doing this – that the Austrians are Barbarians.
We went to the 5th
floor bar for a drink after dinner and everyone was smoking – including one
asshole who was smoking a cigar – and he was sitting with his two children.
What a country. We retired to our room with a bottle.
After this America
will be bliss as far as restaurants and bars are concerned.
So on Thursday we have our interview with the
US Consulate. There is an odor of goats in the air for reasons which I shall
explain later. It is not yet one of those goat things – but has significant
potential.
On Saturday we are
supposed to fly to the USA for our housing visit. The goats may prevent his. We
shall see.
I fully understand the slow drive, but at least you had bad weather conditions to deal with.
ReplyDeleteLast Friday we drove to Medowie (between Raymond Terrace and Nelson Bay) to stay with Jim's brother and sister-in-law. It took 3.75 hours as there was an accident on the F3 (when is there not?) at Berowra... Our return on Sunday morning took a mere 2.5 hours. Neither trip involved speeding. On the way north, we just laughed every time we saw a sign saying 110, as we shuffled forwards at 0-10 kph...
We will watch out for the possibility of goats...
BTW, what's this business of crap ads appearing both in your excellent blog posts and in my comment, above?
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine the Romantic Road being more romantic than covered in a blanket of snow. Glad you've had a nice trip!
ReplyDeleteI meant, "than WHEN covered..." Erg. Champagne...
ReplyDeleteReally must get you two transferred away from Indy and out San Diego way, Badger. Better tuck and swill, I seem to feel, and the locals share your horror of tobacco.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies, Badger, and your band of followers. It appears I am infected with a trojan :-(
ReplyDeleteAt least goats don't smoke, do they?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the Consulate interview. Don't mention the war...
Annie: Ah yes - Australian roads and traffic. I remember it well.
ReplyDeleteSK Waller: Yes it was sensational
Feuillet: Ah California - but does it snow?
Sandy; Not unless you set them on fire