Hotel Garland Villingen-Schwenningen

Primer contacto con Alemania. Ciudad universitaria por exelencia, donde la bicicleta tiene la prioridad absoluta, el centro es enteramente peatonal. Una de las ciudades mas animadas del viaje, su ambiente nos recargó las pilas después de muchos dias de viaje.
Su catedral es especialmente destacable, y tiene una torre muy recomendable, aunque se encuentra actualmente en obras. Por la mañana estuvimos en un mercado artesanal muy, muy completo.

... correct route.

Unfortunately, the noise that had been notices yesterday reappeared, much more disturbing now. So we stopped at the side of the road, and took a look. Gaz got out to have a look, too. The bearings on the viscous fan unit had all but disintegrated, and so the fan was no longer being held in position, and was likely to twist itself into the radiator, causing a lot more damage ...

... and ended up in Canada by way of Germany. It sounded fascinating, and is available in English and in German. I got a copy in German, which I pledged to read in its original language.
Interestingly, Tante Mary was the second new author we met on our trip. The other was an archeologist we met at our campground in Pompei. He had recently written a book about Roman toilets and sewage facilities.
Then it was time to say goodbye and continue on down the road.

We caught the wrong train and wound up in Gengenbach. While we were waiting for a train back we met a lady who told us the town had a beautiful old-town section. So we went discovering again. After a good look around we stopped at a pub while we were waiting for the next train and got talking to the owner. Turns out he'd been to Australia on holiday, so we had a good time talking to him until it was time to go.

Day trip from Villingen. Wolfach has a factory cum tourist attraction where they blow the glass manually. It was good to watch them making vases etc. in the traditional way. The highlight for me was dobbing Roz in to get up on the stage and blow her own vase. She did a good job, and we bought the vase and brought it home. A very special souvenir.

Home of the world famous Hubert Herr clock factory. Met Reinhard Herr, Hubert's great grandson, who still owns and runs the place. The clocks are still handmade and handcarved in the traditional designs. They even make their own clock movements. Spent an hour or so talking to the gentleman, and he explained ...

Just a day trip to see this old city. Lots of brightly painted buildings with ornate oriel windows. Most of the windows were carved with scenes or fancy designs, sometimes painted, sometimes both. Lots of fountains and statues. Found a chocolate shop and pigged out.

... Got the wobbly boot on after a few after-dinner beers and a couple of Jagermeisters. Strolled around town for a while just looking, and happily never lost my footing in the snow or on the ice covered footpaths. Did do a couple of tap dances, but didn't go down.

... with costumes and masks and bands. Damn near froze standing still for that long, but I had a good vantage point for the pictures so I wasn't going to move for fear of losing my spot. After the parade we got stuck into the gluhwein and some hot food then went back to the hostel for a hot shower, then out for dinner. We went to a local brewery that had a restaurant incorporated and had such a good time that we made it a regular while we were there.

... had been delayed and was waiting for me, took a super-expensive cab to Villingen, where we are staying for a few days for orientation. I'm here, baggage and all, and I'm okay. I'm happy enough to be able to say that. I'm at an internet cafe, since I'm not with my host family yet, so I'm paying by the hour. It's been a while now, so I'd better go. Might be a while before I get back on.