Our trip to Germany was primarily to visit friends, or as we call them Framily. Sue had been our Au Pair when our children were only 4 and 6 but we have kept in touch and she is now married to Tim and is the proud mother of her own 7-year-old, Jim. I guess that makes us Grand Au Parents. We also connected with friends, David and Kathie, who had lived in Brookfield and have since relocated to Germany. We were grateful that they made the trip to Frankfurt to enjoy a wonderful evening together.
Sharing bubbles with SueSue 
Dinner at their favorite place
We did, however, find some interesting history and we also had a day for wine tasting in the Rheingau region and a wonderful lunch in a quint old town. Our first day, SueSue (as we call her) arranged a tour of the “New” old town in Frankfurt. As with many German cities, Frankfurt suffered tremendously during the second world war and the only thing left of the city center was the town hall and the cathedral. So, they rebuilt the center in the old style with a mix of modern in the surrounding areas. The Cathedral, we learned, was also the site of the coronation of many of the early Holy Roman Emperors. The crown jewels however are in Vienna, so we hope to see them when we get there in a week.
The “New” old town square 
The city hall 
Phoenix raising from the ashes. 
Last original tower from the old town walls 
plaques mark the level of river floods. 
“Modern” style near the old town. 
Roman foundations 
The Cathedrial where the Holy Roman Emperor was crowned.
Our next day was rainy, but we did drive out to the countryside to visit the Prinz Von Hessen winery. SueSue’s friend, Ebby, gave us a great introduction to wines and wineries in the region. We enjoyed some lovely Rieslings and a couple of Pinot Noirs. Then lunch in Hattenhiem at Bum Krug, an historic restaurant / hotel of asparagus and a wonderful 1988 wine from the region. There is a story about the origins of the late picked sweet wines of the region. In the early days before you could pick the grapes, you needed the church’s permission. So on one occasion they dispatched a monk to get the Bishop’s permission, but the monk took his time in returning, and no one knew why. So by the time he was located with the, the grapes had developed what is called in other wine regions “noble rot” which reduces the water content and increases the ratio of sugar in the grapes, hence the origin of the sweet wine.
Fermentation tanks 
The Barrel room 
The library cellar. 
Statue of the monk 
Lunch – Yum.
Then back to join our friends for a wonderful get together and dinner.
Dinner with Kathie, David, SueSue and Jim. 
It was great to see David and Kathie, and of course our German Family SueSue, Tim and Jim.
Hi guys! Thank you for taking us on this great trip with you…I appreciate being able to live vicariously through you, seeing all these wonderful things you are experiencing! Enjoy your last couple weeks abroad, keep the pictures and anecdotes coming 🙂 XO