25th-30th July
3pm on the Wednesday we set off from West Bank, car loaded with my clothes and possessions. The legroom in the back was adequate, after the A4 had given in the Friday before; we were in a A6 estate. All the boxes and bags still only just fit in, not sure how it'll be on the return next august. The Ferry was alright, tacky bingo and a small room; but i slept alright, until 5am GMT that is when the wake-up call sounded.
The 26th was a day of travelling, me and Heather slept(she'll kill me for that pic) through most of it. We drove through the Netherlands, arriving in Augsburg at 17.50CE, 10 minutes earlier than predicted. We moved the stuff into my room, and i met Sam, a student living downstairs. Later meeting up with my dad and stepmum for food, I had kässespätzle, a cheesy pasta mix, at a Hassen Brau pub.
Friday the 27th was my first day in Augsburg, we went shopping in town, and saw some of the city. Heather bought gifts for people back home and we bought some bags from a nice shop. Met up with my dad and Jane to eat again; This time I had Kaiserschmarrn, an Austrian dish which is baked pancakes, raisins and lots of caster sugar. That night i had some problems with my new macmini, got a bit annoyed, only a computer. Also met the guy opposite me, Sven a German Law student and 2 others that are at Siemens, Sam from the night before and Ryan, who I'd been talking to in emails for a couple of months.
The weekend comes round already and with it a trip I had been looking forward to for months. On a mountain near Füssen, Neuschwanstein, a castle built for Koinig Ludwig II. (my new favourite picture - of the 2 most beautiful things in the world, imo anyway) I also got to see Heather in a dress, which is a rare sight, and she really suited it.
We got up early and headed for the main train station to buy tickets for the train. It took about 2.5 hours to get to Füssen. the views from the train were very picturesque, they were also punctual, clean and cheap, making it a nice change from England.
The path up to the castle was also really nice, although Heather didn't share that opinion, in flipflops with her bad joints. However in my opinion the walk was well worth it. Outside we got a nice picture together, which was taken by a friendly tourist. Queues to get inside however were 150 minutes, so we decided against it.
Behind the castle there is a nice view from Marienbrücke; which is where the 1st picture from this section was taken. We spent about 10minutes there then headed down. Heather bought some more stuff, including a mouse mat which is sat on my desk at work now, a nice reminder.
We got in about 6, and Sven invited me and Heather to go to a coffee bar he liked. Music was weird, I had a local bear which was ok. Sven met an old friend, but I was annoyed at the fact my Abbey card had stopped working. I thought money would be the thing i was least likely to get annoyed at, but it's no good if you can't get at it. Tried 3 different banks, nothing.
Didn't sleep much that night.
Sunday 29th.
A lazy day, just how I like them, I got up at 10 and headed into town to find a ATM to try. tried a different 1, and the 1 i had used on Friday. Nothing.
Heather sent most of the day led in bed while i rang the bank and my dad trying to sort it out. Sven showed his true good nature, offering me a loan; which I refused as I hate borrowing. the twits in the abbey call centre said there's no problem yet when i then tried at the bank again nothing happened, I organise for my dad to come via my flat on his way home. He gave me 370Euros, the weight was lifted, I have never loved him more. We sit down to watch Meet the Fockers, and have a nice night in.
Monday morning we go back into Augsburg, as my week with Heather draws to a close. She gets some sweets from the gummy bear shop for some colleagues, before packing and getting ready. Just after 12 noon we set off again for the main train station; now being able to buy my return ticket. Just before the train to the airport arrives Heather's phone dies, meaning no way in getting in touch with her lift in Manchester.
The train journey was uneventful, played a couple of games of worms while Heather slept for most of it. Once we got in the airport and to the terminal we met a 30min check in queue. After getting her ticket we sat and ate, as Heather was lightheaded and we'd had no breakfast.
"Goodbye" never seemed harder to say, I was feeling lonely by the time she got to the handlugage scanner 15meters away. However I found a copy of the times in the newsagents, which was a nice comfort on the train home. I typed home without even realising there. Germany was only glorified more by the paper, problem after problem, like a man being refused planning permission for his eco house being non-eco because of scaring off mice; along with Brown brown-nosing. That night a single bed has never felt so big.
1 comment:
i do agree that it was a very nice walk and was even better to know that i was enjoying it with you xxx
Two hours is not that long and i will be happy to arrange another trip out to see you soon.
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