I’m on the road again!
Deciding to ease gently into my two month Eastern European tour I  once again headed to Munich to be with Jan and Denise for a few days.
Arriving on a hot and sunny afternoon I met up with them at the Augustenier Beirgarten where they were enjoying a late afternoon drink with friends. It was a German Holiday and Munich had taken on quite a transformation since my previous visit only a few weeks ago.

Nature has burst into life and Munich is  now in full bloom! The Biergarten, previously drab and deserted under miserable winter skies was now heaving with throngs of people enjoying the holiday and summer weather.   Kiosks were brimming with hot and cold food selections and as the beer flowed I quickly embraced the uplifting atmosphere!

The following day we headed off on a five hour drive to stay with Denise’s parents in Cunnersdorf; a tiny little village of around 450 population situated in Saxony, near to Dresden and the Czech republic border.

Cunnersdorf is a perfect picture postcard setting; its houses nestled in the tranquility of a rich green valley where cattle swishing flies with their tails lazily graze in lush paddocks.

Backing on to the paddocks garden’s abundant with flowers and vegetables offer a paradise for bees and butterflies and swallows sweep through the clear blue sky feasting on insects, the only sounds being the occasional mooing, farm machinery harvesting hay in the distance and the chirping of birds.
I’ve spent quite a bit of time with Wolfgang and Gabbie over the years and while they can’t speak much English and my German is atrocious, we always have a great time together laughing long and heartily at our internationally understood jokes and jibes.

An energetic couple who love life, they have created a little haven for themselves, enjoying the daily routine of their retirement which includes frequent dips in their outdoor pool and pottering around their beautiful garden and home.

In previous DDR times, needing to be resourceful, Wolfgang built their house by hand and always having a project on the go, continues to remodel it to this day. His latest addition being the “Spa Centre” situated in the cellar. An extremely classy set up including sauna, shower, bath and relaxation area. An electrician by trade he has even included mood lighting and surround sound music.
They are also an extremely generous and loving couple and one wants for nothing while staying under their roof. I have adopted them as my “German Parents” and appreciatively bask in their incredible hospitality.

Our few days at Gabbie and Wolfgangs “Country House Retreat” were spent combining lazing by the pool, taking a short hike in the surrounding mountains with Denise’s good friend Anyia……..and of course eating – always eating!  And always alfresco, taking advantage of the warm weather!!  Gabbie constantly preparing elaborate German Breakfasts,  plying us with treats such as cakes and ice cream and preparing, along with Denise, an abundance of salads and accompaniments to marry with the steaks, sausages, rissoles and grilled vegetables, attentively prepared on the BBQ by the men. Always washed down with schnapps and wine!

One day we dragged ourselves away from the poolside and took an outing to Festung Konigstein, the magnificent hillside fortress that dominates the surrounding landscape and towers over the town of Konigstein and the river Elbe.

Gabbie worked here for many years before her retirement and as we explored the sprawling fortress she was frequently greeted warmly by her former colleagues who notably still miss her.
Built on a shear rock plateau some 240 metres above the river Elbe, Konigstein (Kings Rock) dates back to around 1241.  The 9.5 hectare fortress houses some 50 buildings and walking around its 1800 metre rampart one is treated to breathtaking views on all sides.

We spent a fascinating five hours, but could easily have spent longer, wandering around the fortress, listening to its history on headphones and stopping occasionally for a refreshment at one of its numerous restaurants and cafes, or resting under the shade of trees.

As always, too soon my time with my good friends came to an end and as I prepared to depart for my train trip to Prague marking the beginning of my two month solo trip through Eastern Europe, I looked at my expanded waist line and wondered how I was going to survive leaving my Country House Retreat and having to fend for myself!!