No Prague, but Lake Konstanz

Since our return last Sunday the weather has been somewhat inclement (hasn't stopped raining except for Wednesday afternoon which was lovely). Stephen is enjoying work immensely, feeling somewhat challenged in the process and is usually away by 7.30am each day and returns about 5.30pm each evening. He is being a good boy and keeping his promise to spend each evening with me. I am right into a Penny Vincenzi novel (a million pages in size 6 font) so that has managed to keep me busy for the week along with the daily happy hour in the bar. It's embarrassing when the staff know your room number and ask will it be a champagne cocktail or a gin and tonic! Thank goodness I am spending so much time in the gym burning off calories otherwise I would have to give up the grog and we couldn't have that!



The week got off to a bad start with the news that we were unable to get on a flight to Prague next weekend. So, we put plan B into action and decided that we will go to Lake Konstanz which is on the Swiss border and which we have heard very good reports about. Our Stuttgart friends who are living in Melbourne, Eric and Petra, have given us a list of places for weekends away and so far have not steered us in the wrong direction, and this is one of their suggestions. No pressure Eric and Petra, but it had better be good! Had a good conversation with Ails on Monday, it was great to hear her very croaky voice.


We have been to some interesting places to eat and Wednesday night was no exception. A fellow who works with Stephen has given him a list of good restaurants and bars and we are systematically working our way through them. This was an interesting little wine bar where you could actually purchase wine. It was run by 3 old dears who had the most shocking dress sense (the words frau or frump or frumpy frau come to mind). Our waitress was dressed in a floral - and I do mean floral - skirt. The skirt was just short enough to give us a fabulous view of her socks and sandals! Stephen was sure it was pensioner night as the place was full of old locals, obviously we fitted in without a problem! We had maultashen in broth for dinner. This is a local dish, a very large ravioli with minced pork and spinach in a beef broth. It was actually very yummy. We asked for a wine with balls and got the usual pinot (didn't quite use those words). The red wine is not what you would call very rich in colour or taste but we have had some very nice wines all the same. (Opera House in the gardens)

The bar was across town from where we are, so we decided it was a nice night for a walk home (17 degrees). The photos are of the gardens we walk through most days - the Schlossgarden. It was lovely walking across the gardens and pass our local gun shop, complete with grenades! (Bottom right in photo) Was thinking of taking a couple home for the grandchildren to play with. Wonder if I will have any trouble getting them through customs, what do you think Den??

Thursday was spent talking to loved ones at home - Pat, Cath, Mary, Brian, Justine, David and Carolyn. It is so nice to know they are all just a phone call away. Thursday night we chose from Alto's list once more and ventured once again across the gardens to Cafe Toscano. This was a tiny little bar in the backstreets, more residential, and hence the locals' local. We started with an antipasto platter and followed this with the only 2 dishes on the menu, pasta 1 and pasta 2. Stephen is still eating by the way. The waitress and the chef/cook were very impressed by the fact we had come from Australia and couldn't have made us feel more welcome.


Friday morning - Anzac Day - we were up early listening to the footy. Does everyone know that Collingwood thrashed, did I say thrashed, Essendon? Off to the market to buy some strawberries for dessert as we had dinner at Richard and Michelle's on Friday night. It was great to have a homecooked meal and spend time with little Sarah.

Saturday morning up early to collect our Prius - weird car doesn't make any noise - and off to Konstanz. Stephen has discovered that he is actually a racing car driver and he had to be told on a number of occasions to please keep below 170 kph or his wife would get out and catch the train home. Maybe it was his plan! The trip was much shorter than planned - hmmm - and we arrived in Konstanz around noon.

What a magnificent town! Eric and Petra you didn't let us down with this choice. It was a beautiful day (about 20 degrees) and we were happy to be in shorts and t-shirts again. We spent the day walking around the town and the lake taking in all the beautiful buildings and scenery. We spent the night at the Hotel Bayrischer Hof which was right opposite the Church of the Holy Trinity. Life is very interesting when what use to be a Jewish Synagogue is now a Catholic Church. There is a wonderful Gothic Cathedral, the Munster built originally in 600AD and extended over many ages. Houses we saw dated back to the middle ages and the frescos and stone work on the buildings was mind blowing. All this and the serenity of the lake.

Sunday we attended mass at St Stephen's Church - someone was having a moment of self importance (see photo) - where we listened to the German version of Sunday mass. We were able to join in as we actually knew the responses even if they were in English. Best sermon we had ever heard! We left Konstanz and drove to Insel Mainau via Loretoworld - yes Kate Russell there is such a place complete with nuns with walking sticks - where we lined up with thousands of others to get a ticket onto the island. This island is designed as a garden exhibition and is particularly beautiful in spring. The photos at the end of this blog are of Konstanz (complete with snow covered Swiss alps in the background) and of the island. The lake was bustling with yachts and seacraft of all sorts for the whole weekend. Certainly a wonderful weekend, although we were feeling a little tired by the end.

Back onto the race track and home far too quickly! This week we celebrate an anniversary (our darling Pete's), several birthdays (Stephen, Mick and Fiona) and we are off to see our friend Luc on Thursday in Belgium for the 4 day break. Love to all. Oh, by the way, did I mention that Collingwood thrashed Essendon!