Muriel and Tony stopped by on their way back to England from Mittenwald. Bremen's not exactly on the way, but more on the way when they're heading back from a visit to the mountains.
Since they're big walkers, we'd planned a walk or two. But first, we had to take a day and go into Bremen again. I never mind that - we hit the usual high spots like the Bremen Town Musicians and a stop into Karstadt (the big department store) got us a half-price deal on some cross stitch fabric for Muriel and an extra supply of handkerchiefs (as in the real thing out of cotton!) for Tony, still getting over a cold.
Though I had banged up my knee a bit while mis-stepping off a ladder, we still kept our date to walk in the Lüneburg Heide (the Lüneburg Heath). The weather wasn't all that encouraging, but getting out and moving around is not only good for the body, but the soul as well.
Werner and I have been to the Heide several times and I thought we'd been up the Wilseder Berg, the highest point in our North German region, but obviously I was wrong. On the way to the top we passed a lot of Juniper trees, common to this sandy region. We call them "gin trees" since the berries flavor our martini! Lots of flavor hanging here!
What a nice walk and what a great view! We're determined to go back again when the weather is sunnier! Wilsede itself is pretty much closed to motorized traffic, most people arrive there by bike or by foot and there are so many lovely sights, like this fence to keep the sheep from wandering off.
We'd planned to drive into the Netherlands the next day and hit the market in Gröningen, a sprawling and fascinating market full of strange fish and veggies and delicious fries (in my humble opinion, the best fries you can buy, and I have eaten fries from a lot of places!). But Mother Nature made it a less-than-pleasing option, so back into town to check out the beginning of the annual Freimarkt, this year the 975th market. Good grief. Been around a while, long enough to go from a strictly commercial goods market to a full-fledged fun fair.
There were speeches by local dignitaries and lots of folks in Medieval costume, and the ritual hanging of a gingerbread heart from the statue of Roland. This is the job of the chimney sweeps, and was quite a spectacle - and the first time I'd seen it. Music, beer, Bratwurst, rides - and rain. You can't wait for the rain to disappear to have fun.
Saturday was market and shopping and packing and a last dinner, this time at our favorite local Italian place. Good food, good company, a visit much too short but for that well enjoyed. Sunday, Muriel and Tony were off to catch the overnight ferry back to England, I was off to the airport to check out how warm Florida still is. (Warm, but more of that later!)
Thanks Muriel and Tony! Next time in England!
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