Heidelberg, Germany

We've spent our last day in Germany wandering through Heidelberg. Curtis enjoyed the castle ruins, but overall the town is very touristy. We dined on potato cakes and mulled wine with Nancy's family, who will head home tomorrow.

Curtis photographing some old doors

So for a German wrap up, here are a few of our favourite things:

1. German toilets. Imagine a bathroom with no sweating toilet tank and a flush switch that allows you to limit the amount of water used depending on the flush.

2. Tiny villages with half-timbered homes and windy little streets. The landscape (minus the hills) reminds me of rural Ontario, except that there are only a couple minutes drive between villages.

3. The patient and safe drivers, even on the autobahn.

Gigantic wine barrel

4. Technology. The Germans have found the best way to do most things, and they just keep doing it that way. Things make sense. To give a trite example, it was virtually impossible to drop my socks on the wet floor of the swimming pool change room because of the well-designed change room.

5. Last but not least, the Duck family favourite, THE BREAD TRUCK. On the second morning of our stay in Hohenholz at the farmhouse, we were drawn to the window by a long toot of a horn. We looked out on the street to see a truck stop (like an ice cream truck), and open up its side. Inside, a girl set up an array of pretzels and breads. We were too stunned to buy anything, but rather gawked out the window. She promptly packed up and drove away. Every day after this we eagerly awaited her return, but as I surmised, this was an irregular event reserved for Wednesdays and Saturdays. The most interesting fact about this bread truck was our setting: imagine a village of about 8 or 9 houses (more like a family farm). In addition, the road to this village was closed for construction! Yet still, the bread truck made the trip.

Heidelberg as seen from the castle

So there is just a taste of some of the sights we saw in southwestern Germany - more to follow when we get home!

Mr. and Mrs. Duck enjoying the medieval village

Part of the castle's ruined section

Peter looking out at the city

Pigeon flying by a fountain in the castle