Saturday August 26
Our alarm rang at 4 am and at 5 we were waiting at the reception for the taxi to the airport. Everything worked fine, check-in was super easy and friendly. So was security, very efficient even with our 'new knees' etc.
At the gate. Plane not here yet but everything on time. The sun is coming up.
Düsseldorf from the top.
Tobias (my nephew) and my sister Ute picked us up from the airport. He knows which roads to take to avoid traffic and we were at his and Manu's house soon. They have just finished remodeling their guestroom and that's where we are staying. It is an old house but they have done a lot of work and it is inside and outside gorgeous.
Ute had her car there and she took us to her house. Our friends Corry and Werner from Singen in the south of Germany happened to be in the area today and we arranged to have an afternoon together. When we all were in their house last October to celebrate James' birthday Ute and Corry talked about Ute's special Rhabarbertorte. Corry wanted the recipe and that's what Ute baked for this day. It is so good.
So lucky with the weather so we moved outside into the Garden. Corry had brought champagne so we needed to celebrate. The cork came out with a bang.
Just like old times. Ute got her Five-Crown cards and we had lots of laughs.
There was a bit of wind though, ha-ha.
Unfortunately the table was a bit wobbly and I knocked some glasses over (luckily in the very last round and at the end of the bottle) but the cards got wet and needed separating so they could dry.
When Corry and Werner had to leave they dropped us off at our "guesthouse". We needed to do some walking so I suggested to walk towards the old town which is very charming. But we never made it that far. There happened to be a town festival before we got there.
Bratwurst! Who can resist?
Typical souvenir stand I remember when we went to a 'Kirmes" when I was a little child. The 'Lebkuchenherzen' with the icing writing on it.
The day came not to an end yet when we were back at the house. Manu and Tobi invited us into their garden oasis for some red wine and a lot of talking. It was lovely.
But then it was time to go find our beds. The alarm had gone off very early today.
Sunday August 27
Ute had invited the family to a breakfast/brunch at 10:30 at a farm now restaurant. It's a family favorite. Maren could not come because she had to work. She has a new job and loves it.
We were laughing a lot and quite loud so we relocated to Ute's garden. How lucky are we with the weather?
When Maren was home from work we were invited to her new Apartment which James and I had heard about but had not seen. It is a lovely place and we can see why it makes her so much happier. The terrasse is a dream.
She calls it her big tree.
Leftover rhabarbertorte and fresh Mohnkuchen and Zwetschgenkuchen from the farmhouse this morning.
Maren had some other leftovers which I can't name because it would be politically incorrect. But they are one of my favorites in Germany. We had of course a big discussion "do you start on the top or bottom".
Maren took this photo for her cousins in America.
Maren brought us to our guesthouse. What a lovely family time we are having.
Family, friends and sweets! Doesn't get much better than that!
ReplyDelete