Frohes Fest!

Sat 1st December 2012
(Dont forget to click the links of coloured text for more information)

We have stayed put for a few days now so that we could visit one of the most traditional German Christmas Markets at Rothenburg and the wait was all worth it! The opening was yesterday and the day before the big freeze suddenly arrived and with it the snow. It was touch and go in the morning but the snowing finally stopped and we edged out of the campsite to one of the special parking areas they have for visiting motorhomes right next to the old city walls. We all wrapped up and Bradley wore his new coat for the first time and didn't we need it with temperatures struggling to get above freezing. 

It all added to the atmosphere and once inside the predominantly traffic free walls the feel of Christmas was soon about us. First thing was to try and fine a hairdresser for Lorraine as the locks were getting a little out of control and needed taming. We found a nice salon and the excited shriek of the stylist when Lorraine took her hat off said it all. I was shown a comfortable seat with a nice coffee whilst Bradley was treated to loads of treats and cuddles from the remaining staff. We keep forgetting that in most of Europe dogs can go virtually anywhere. Over an hour later Lorraine emerged with a satisfying grin and we said our goodbyes to the nice staff.

The next stop was lunch and there was so much to chose from. A very nice and traditional hotel with a traditional Franconian menu looked just the ticket and after another check that Bradley was allowed, in we went. The inside was all decked out with the most tasteful decorations and we were made to feel very welcome. Rothenburg is a bit too inland for the hoards of coaches that visit the German Markets from the West side  of Europe so it was nice just mixing with the locals and a few Japanese tourists. We soon chose two traditional rustic recipes from the Frankonia (Franken) region and washed down with a half a litre of local beer was just the ticket. (I was soon going to regret that amount of beer when I hit the freezing temperatures outside!)

After a relaxed lunch out we went again taking in the beautiful old town which is like a movie film set and dates back over a 1000 years. Thankfully the excellent public loos were in abundance and thankfully I didn't have more than one beer. It was soon time for afternoon coffee and cakes and we found a 700yr old hotel and café which had the most wonderful seating area within an old library. They also had the most divine Franconian pastries and cakes to sample in the most relaxed and typical German laid back fashion. 

It was almost dark when we emerged back outside again and more and more people were arriving. We could understand why as the Christmas lights were just wonderful. It was like stepping back in time, no flashing blue strobe effects or animated Santa's climbing an electric chimney stack out here, just hand made candle powered or tasteful white twinkling lights. It was the warm local welcome and costume that also made the day. Tradition is you go and hire your cup (Tasse) and then visit the numerous street stalls that serve the 'Gluhwein' (Glow Wine) and drink it stood around the many street tables provided.

5 o'clock arrived and we all met in the main market square (Marktplatz) for the opening ceremony. The choir singing familiar carols in German was lovely and the mayor officially opened the event to the sounds of the local brass band. Being a keen photographer I climbed up the back steps of the town hall and got an elevated position just behind the stage and who did I bump into hiding in the shadows?… none other than old St Nicolas himself. A young American couple with a small child had followed me up and I'll never forget the little boys 'WHAW" when Santa Claus turned around to him in the darkness and said hello in German. You didn't need to understand the language seeing the boys face and I managed to get a great shot as Santa bent down opened his huge sack and gave the boy a handful of small treats….priceless!.

I also managed to shoot a bit of video of the opening ceremony which can be seen by clicking here but my video skills aren't as good as my photography.

After another hour of walking about we had to return to the campsite after a brief visit to the local supermarket as we didn't want to be out and about too late in the motorhome. We had experienced a truly magical day and will never forget Rothenburg and its warm hospitality. 

A brief day catching up and then its off down the Autobahn tomorrow (Sunday) to Lake Konstanz where we hope to visit some more lovely Christmas Markets. We have decided to stick to the main roads now as the weather is really wintery.

Frohes Fest (Merry Christmas) to you all!