Sep 2011 b

Thu 22 Sep 2011
After work we had a super quick early dinner then headed off to the airport. After some travel delays we were very lucky to catch our plane and were picked up in Nuremberg by our wonderful hosts Mark and Kathryn (aka Cadogan and Eufemia).

Fri 23 Sep 2011
This afternoon Mark took to the local castle to have a wander about...

Jen had packed and brought with us a lederhosen costume for Steve (gotta love ebay) and this afternoon Kathryn took Jen shopping to buy herself a Dirndl - the traditional dress to wear at Oktoberfest. Kathryn loaned her a blouse and necklace, so the look was complete! For dinner we caught up with a mutual friend Thorvaldr, enjoying hearty traditional Bavarian food. The evening was spent drinking and playing pool until very late.

Sat 24 Sep 2011
Our wondrous hosts had organised train tickets, and after two hours listening to cheering/chanting Italians (pumped up for Oktoberfest), we arrived in Munich!

 

From a Brissie perspective, Oktoberfest is like Ekka's sideshow alley on 'roids, but with loads of drinking, and dressing in costumes. It's mind boggling to realise all these enormous buildings and rides are all only temporary!

Above: This huge statue (a rare permanent feature, as is the building behind it), apparently looks over and protects the Oktoberfest fairground, which is empty most of the year.

Below: Some examples of the amazing and outrageous rides and amusements....

Amazing that this is all just temporary - even this huge waterfall, above.

The mouse circus was very cute - although essentially
a very large cabinet of a couple o' hundred mice running
around, climbing things, on the treadmill, etc.

Above: We went on this traditional very old rollercoaster ride which is mainly powered by gravity. Jen thought for a few seconds we'd seriously jetison off the tracks and die, but thankfully nothing like that happened.

Below: We did also go on this Original 1920's merry-go-round style ride complete with brass band (see the band in the photo). Here is a very short video showing the fun on the 1920's merry-go-round. Check out the cogs making this thing rotate: 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=11gCGfcVr9o

At the end of the day, Steve ticked off his list of things to get done at Oktoberfest: gingerbread acquired, sausage eaten, and fresh local brew downed. 

Nice wood carvings; nice costumes.

Sun 25 Sep 2011

 
And for our last day we had a lazy morning.
Steve cooked eggs benedict again for our hosts (for the 2nd day running). In the afternoon we enjoyed a visit to Nuremberg. 

We had an alfresco lunch (alfresco - not something we get to do much in rainy London) with Steve enjoying the locally made sausages, sauerkraut and brew. After lunch, Mark and Kathryn led us to the famous Durer's House, located opposite the city wall. The house is where Durer spent his later years and died. The interiors have been redecorated to a style reminiscent of how it might once have looked during Durer's time. 

Above: Durer's Haus

A simple water tap - no plumbing required  (removable sink)

Above: view from Durer's workshop, Nuremberg

Above: Next, our hosts led us up and around the castle walls with stunning views over the city.

Above: Now that's what I call a door! Nuremberg Castle's final gate.

Below: We wandered back down to the main square and onward home again.

 

Thanks to Mark and Kathryn for playing host for us!