Konnigswinter - Germany August 1982

Friday July 30th

Left home 5.34am for Dover to sail at 1pm. Foggy but bright. Reached Stamford at 7.25am then stopped at a Little Chef at 7.40am for an 'Early Starter' breakfast. Arrived Dover 11.21am. Luckily or not, we arrived early enough to get on the preceeding boat the St Christopher to Calais. The crossing was a little rough. Simon Gnome was on board [no idea - Ed.]. Arrived Calais 14.04pm.

Set off to Dunkirk and arrived after a brief stop for refreshments. Dad and I went to see about accommodation. We found the information building in the form of a belfry, a massive bell tower. We were given a list of hotels in the area and we booked into one behind the belfry. Then when we had unpacked, we looked for a restaurant for a meal. After ages of walking around we stopped for a drink and consulted a list and I found a suitable place. For 45Fr (£1=11.58Fr) I had a ham and mushroom pizza, then grilled steak with runner beans and chips. Finally finished with a chocolate mouse and coffee. Got back to the hotel at about 10pm. I went to bed with the chimes of the belfry and a thunderstorm.

Saturday July 31st
Woke up at half past seven. Breakfast was tea, croissant and bread rolls with strawberry and rhubarb jam. After packing we had a quick look at the beach before heading to Belgium on the E5. The weather was cloudy but the temperature was high and the air was humid. We changed onto the E3 then E39, past Brussells and Gent to Antwerp. Very hot as we stopped for a sandwich lunch. Later on the A4 in Germany we stopped at a service station and i bought myself a bowl of fresh fruit (2.50DM). Then we went on past Cologne, over the Rhine and passed opposite Bonn to Konnigswinter. After a lucky right hand turn we found the Gut Buschoff hotel complex. It was a huge set of buildings, restaurants, pubs, tennis centres.

We walked up two flights of stairs to our rooms. Private toilet and shower, telephone and radio alarm clock, special writing paper and bedside lamps. After a shower we went down to the main restaurant. We had a set lunch - a bowl of ace salad (cucumber, prawn cocktail sauce, sliced turnip, tomato etc.). We thought this was a 'starter', but then a plate of some ace pork in a savoury sauce with mushrooms and runner beans was brought. After that we had ice cream. We took a walk around the grounds and to the ten or so outdoor tennis courts and six indoor as well as squash courts. There were several pubs/restuarants on site, even an English pub.

We looked for skittles as promised in the brochure and after asking we were shown the bowling alley (10DM per hr).Rather weird, you only had one chance at nine skittles but they were on strings and fell independently, so no-one could get nine down.

Sunday August 1st
After not too bad a night I woke up at 8 and got ready for breakfast at half past. Not knowing what to expect, we were suprised to find a table with jams, meat spreads, cheese spreads, cold meats, cheese slices, bread, cornflakes, orange juice, plates and cutlery for you to help yourself. I had a drink of orange juice, a bowl of cornflakes, blackcurrant jam on bread and butter and a ham and cheese sandwich.

After raining pretty heavily in the night, it had stopped. We decided to go to Bonn even though the shops would be shut. We found a car park and walked into the centre precinct which was paved and cars were prohibited. We took a few photos and looked around.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/lingz/32699391132/

For lunch we eventually decided on a value for money snack of a giant hamburger avec cheese, salad, chips and coffee £1.50 each.

https://trip101.com/article/spend-a-sunday-in-bonn-germany-like-the-locals

Later on in the afternoon the sun came out and it got quite hot. Dad bought us an ice cream, then we took the car and went down to the Rhine and watched the barges go by. Got back to the hotel about 6pm and after a shower and change, went down for dinner. We had soup - thin like gravy with meat in it, very tasty -then chicken in a sauce with rice. Afterwards we played tennis.

Monday 2nd August
For breakfast I had a cherry yoghurt, boiled egg, sliced ham & cheese on bread, tea, orange juice and bread with recurrant jam and apricot jam. Afterwards we went into Konnigswinter and looked around. It was very hot. Had homemade lunch then afterwards had a nice walk along the Rhine to Bad Honnef. As it was two miles or more we were v thirsty and glad to find a cafe open on an offshore island that could be reached by footbridge.

https://www.goosmann-ferienwohnung.de/bad-honnef/

I bought myself a piece of Gooseberry cake 2.50DM. I had the idea of getting a cruiser back to Konnigswinter and as it only took 20 minutes, it was easier and nice watching the barges go by. For lunch we had an ace salad - potato salad, salami, ham, cheese, red cabbage, asparagus, boiled egg and lettuce - then ice cream to finish. Afterwards mum, Stephen and I went on a walk behind the tennis courts. We went through the forest then round some fields of cows. I thought of giving an apple to one from the many trees around us. A calf wandered towards the fence when it saw us and walked between the wire and on to the track. We got behind it and eventually pushed it back through the fence. When we got back it was quite dark, so we had a drink and then went to bed [what happened to tea? - Ed]. V hot at night.

Tuesday 3rd August
For breakfast I had cornflakes, orange juice, boiled egg, smoked ham, another cold meat, cheese, cherry and redcurrant jam on bread and tea. We then rushed off to catch a cruise from Konnigswinter down the Rhine to Bad Breisig.

https://gruppenreise-navi.com/en/search/region-search/der-rhein-von-koeln-bis-koblenz-siebengebirge-rhein-sieg-kreis/1916-tourist-information-bad-breisig/booking

It was very hot, so we sat down on the second deck under cover at a table. We went up on deck from time to time to feel the warm air and take photos. When we got to Bad Breisig however we decided to go further on to Andernach.

https://www.geysir-andernach.de/en/geysir-besuch/in-andernach/

We looked around the town and I had a drink of milk and a cake. I bought some thin chicken soup 3.90DM and i got a free sample of aftershave in a bottle. Then we caught the 3.30pm boat back. For dinner we had thin soup, then beef, chips, peas, carrots, onions and asparagus. Then suprisingly we got some ice cream as well. Afterwards we had an apple cake an then i read for a while before going to bed.

Wednesday 4th August
For breakfast I had orange juice, raspberry yoghurt, ham, cheese and pork sandwiches then bramble and redcurrant jam on bread with tea. We reached BadGodesburg station after crossing the Rhine on a car ferry. Then we took the train to Cologne (Koln). The station was just outside the Cathederal, so we went there first.

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cologne_Cathedral

It had a cery high ceiling but only a few stainrd glass windows. At one end there was a big gold casket [The Shrine of the Magi - see https://www.cologne-tourism.com/see-experience/cologne-cathedral/interior/].

When we came out, we were in the main shopping area, a pedestrian-only street with lots of shops of many kinds. We first of all went into the famous 4711 shop which sells exclusive perfumes and toiletries. I bought some soap for nanny and got a free bottle of aftershave aswell.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4711

After ages walking through the shopping area we turned off the beaten track a little and found a restaurant (1.45pm) where I had a chicken and pineapple salad. After that we saw another 4711 shop and went in for a look around. Then we went to a good restaurant and had an ace piece of gateau and three cups of tea. After that we went back to the station and after a half hour wait we got the train back.

For dinner we had tomato soup and cream, then some meat, boiled potatoes and some kind of green in a thin sauce. Then green and pink ice cream. Afterwards there was a thunderstorm but that decreased the temperature and I got a better night's sleep.

Thursday 5th August
It was raining when i awoke at 7.57am and after the same breakfast with an 'all fruits' yoghurt and no egg, it was still raining, so we stayed in until about 11am, listening to BFBS on the radio. We set off for Linz and caught the car ferry across the Rhine and started up the Ahr valley, a good wine area we were told.

https://theculturetrip.com/europe/germany/articles/best-wine-tasting-tours-ahr-valley-germany/

There were vineyards everywhere. After a picnic lunch, we went further on and the weather brightened up and we stopped at a place called Altenahr where we bought a bottle of wine 'mit pradikitt'.

http://www.travelandlifestylediaries.com/2015/10/wine-shopping-in-wine-village-of.html

We walked on through gift shops until we came to a chair lift, so Stephen and I decided to go up it even though it was still misty. Afterwards we came down and had a piece of fruit and cream flan. On the way back we stopped at Unkel for a look round and bought another bottle of wine.

For dinner we had chicken and rice in a mushroom sauce and ice cream.

Friday 6th August
For breakfast I had cornflakes, orange juice, a ham, pork and cheese sandwich, then bramble and strawberry jam on bread with tea. Set off to Bonn and parked in the underground. We came up some stairs straight into one of the main squares. Immediately we saw a fruit and veg market and had a look around. There were many different types of produce like artichokes and long white turnips. The smell of the ripe fruit was strong. It was also the last day of the sales so Stephen and I bought some 25p handkerchiefs after looking round the shops and stalls.

We had lunch in a fish bar and afterwards we bought some things from a chocolate shop. Then we went to a good restaurant and sat outside and had an ice cream. I had oranjuice mixed with rum on a vanilla ice cream. After that we went down to the river an sat watching the boats, before goingback to the hotel. After a shower we came down for dinner. It was a thin meat and vegetable soup, then omlette, mushrooms and chips. We packed a little afterwards then came down and talked with the Wrights. Went to bed about 11pm and after a 'not bad' night, woke up to the sound of the radio at 7.20am.


Saturday 7th August
Went for breakfast at 8am. I had Cornflakes, orange juice, boiled egg, then bread and honey and tea. Then we packed the suitcases into the boot and set off to the supermarket to spend any change we had.

We took the A59 to Cologne, then onto the E4 for a while before getting on the E41 into Belgium and near Liege. The weather was pretty bad now with fog. Then we joined the E5 for a while before rejoining the E41 then stopped for a picnic lunch at about 1pm and by then the weather was brightening up and we joined the E10. The sun got hotter the further we went on. Joined the A16 to Lille.

Interlaken - Switzerland August 1981

 August 15th
Think we must have crossed the Channel by car ferry as the notes begin in Calais where we took the N43 through Les Attaques and Le Pont d'Ardes then onwards to Nordausques and St Martin-au-Laert. We changed route oto the N42 to St Omer, then back onto the N43 through Arques, Wittes, Aire, Norrent Fontes and Lillers, then onto the A26. Then we changed to the N17 to Arras, passing Baupaune and Peronne. At the junction we took the N29 to St Quentin, then the N44 to Reimes, passing Beumant-sur-Vesle, Les Petites-Loges, Charlons-sur-Marne and Vitry-Le-Francois. Then on the N4 through Marelles, Thieblemont-Farcmont and Perthes. Onto the N67 at St Dizier, through Marnavel and Rachecourt-sur-Marne, Vecqueville (beside a canal), Joinville.....

Oh my, i hope you followed all that dear reader, because there was more - alot more! I should have turned the page sooner beacuse i now realise i had written down the complete driving route from Calais to Interlaken and the holiday notes started on the next page! So back to the start...

Set off 7.10am, weather cloudy but bright but the sun came out as we crossed the Humber Bridge at 7.30am. Through Lincoln at 8.30am and onto the A46 then A1 and M11. Through the Dartford Tunnel at 1.05pm. Reached Dover and got onto the St Christopher cross channel ferry at 4.20pm.

The official Sealink portrait of the newly-delivered St Christopher in April 1981. Picture courtesy Andrew Orr

Had a snack in the self-service cafe, then had a look around. On deck it was misty. Watched TV. Back on deck as we neared the French coast, saw beaches, flats and cooling towers. Saw Hoverport.

Got to campsite, set up the caravan, dad bought some wine and chips. For tea we had Stew (6Fr20c) and (1F) raisin pie. About 10.30pm Stephen and I played badminton, then got washed in open air cold water wash basins.

August 16th
Woke up about 8.10am set off about 9.45am, it was a sunny day. Saw three herons in a field. Turned cloudy. Crossed the river Somme. In Reims saw Champagne factories, spent the night on the outskirts of Langres. People were playing boules and we saw some playing skittles along a stone alley way. For tea we had steak burgers, peas and Smash, then tinned peaches and cream.

August 17th
Corn was growing alot in this area. It seemed more developed than in the North. The soil was red and there were cows with white and pale brown markings in the fields, also the landscape was more undulating than earlier with more trees. The sun was shining. Saw logs neatly stacked by the roadside. Saw a black kite flying above a field of cut barley. [maybe when we stopped for a picnic lunch because i also wrote] Heard some very noisy grasshoppers.

Came to Besancon, a fairly large town spread across the sides and middle of a valley. Lots of big stone buildings and pretty squares. Pontarlier was similar but smaller. Stopped in a village to buy bread, saw ahouse very high up on a cliff. Began to climb a little into hillier country. Went through French/Swiss customs at Les Verriers, then through a tunnel before Neuchatel. Went through Bern but all we saw were a few statues, long avenues and stone buildings, then onto a motorway and through another tunnel. For the last part of the journey we travelled beside a railway along the edge of Lake Thun. Through Interlaken and finally to the Manor Farm campsite on the shore of the lake. After setting up the caravan we played badminton. At night after tea we went into Interlaken (I had some beer) and looked around the shops.

August 18th
Went into Interlaken for some bread, then went to Grindelwald. It was very hot. From the village you could see a great view of the Wetterhorn, Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains.

https://www.tui.co.uk/destinations/europe/switzerland/grindelwald/holidays-grindelwald.html

I had a SF2.50 icecream sundae with jammy stuff on top. Very good and big!. When we got back we had a look around the campsite.

https://www.vacansoleil.co.uk/camping/switzerland/bernese-oberland/interlaken/camping-manor-farm-1-2364004/?pagenum=1

August 19th
Went to Interlaken railway station west, then underneath platform one. Got onto paddle steamer Lotschberg and travelled across the beautiful blue water. The sun was shining. We had seats undercover but we stood at the bow most of the time. Went under a bridge then into Lake Brienz.

We arrived just in time to catch the steam cog railway up the Rothorn mountain. Went up through woodland and tunnels seeing the lake get smaller and smaller. We came out of the woods into a great valley halfway up the mountain. On the right there were some jagged peaks and we saw a cable car station very high up. Durther up the mountain on the left were some avalanche fences. Here we stopped for a while to let another train pass on their way down.

https://wengen.swiss/en/summer/product/page/brienz-rothorn-2350-m-asl-678/

Then we went up again, round a corner past a few chalets and up higher again and through a tunnel around a bend and we had reached the top 7,700ft above sea level. We got off and went to the restaurant for lunch. I had thich soup and some sausage plus potato salad. We could see a line of snow-capped peaks above the jagged rocks. Then the wind became colder and clouds quickly enveloped the mountains and came towards us. I went on ahead and came to a cable car station going down the other side. It was at least 1 1/2 miles down and almost sheer. There were a lot of Alpine Choughs flying around. I went right to the top of the mountain to an open topped viewing place.

The lake looked very small ad we could see the mountains around us clearly. Then the mist came in and when i looked back from the restaurant i could not see the top. As the clouds came in i could not see so much on the way down until we were below cloud level. We went back on the Brienz paddle steamer which was a similar size to the Lotschberg but more luxurious with carpets indoors. Seagulls flew alongside us and people threw bread from the deck. After tea we played crazy golf on a 38 hole course.

August 20th
We went into Interlaken and walked around. I bought myself a Swiss Army Knife (Ranger) for SF43 (3.84SF to £1), it had 19 different features and engraved with my initials. In the afternoon we came back to the campsite for lunch. Then we went for a 2hr walk by a river nearby. I saw a Dipper and Grey Wagtail. Also there was an obstacle training course where you had yo jump over logs and do pull-ups etc. When we came back we had tea then played badminton then went to play crazy golf while dad went to a concert. It came on to rain for the last few holes so we ran to a restaurant and had a beer. Dad came in at that moment to shelter from the rain.

August 21st
Today it was raining so we waited until 11 O'Clock and set off for Bern. There was a direct route on the motorway. All the buildings were the same, the shop windows were underneath a tunnel of arches. There were lots of different shops, even C&A. There was a great chocolate shop and i bought two bars of chocolate and a lquor chocolate.

http://www.world-citizen-trail.net/bern-the-medieval-city-of-guilds-flags-and-fountains-in-switzerland/

Saw the famous clock tower with little figures moving around when the clock struck.

Went through a market square to a restaurant and had a slice of redcurrant cheesecake and some milk. On the way back we saw a three piece rock group with an electric guitar. At night we went for a walk by the river again and i found a little frog. The waters were muddied now as all the rain swept down from the mountains.

August 22nd
In the morning we went into Interlaken, further up the main street and looked around the casino gardens, After lunch we went to Lauterbrunnen with its streaming waterdall from the high cliffs above. Stephen and I went closer to look at it and discovered a tunnel hewn out of the rock which gave a view of the waterfall as it splashed down. We could srr the Eiger clearly at the end of the valley.

https://www.trover.com/d/1kEKK-lauterbrunnen-switzerland

We walked along a road by meadows were people were drying grass to make hay. After 1hr we came upon a few houses and a car park and cable car station. We stopped here and refreshed ourselves with ice cream and lemonade as it was very hot. On the way back we saw some creamy coloured cows with cow bells on and a large tortoiseshell butterfly.We went back to the campsite and played badminton after tea then went for a walkby the lake.

August 23rd
Today was colder and damp. We set off to Meiringen. There we founda brass band playing. Went on up the valley to the Susten Pass with 24 hairpin bends and lots of tunnels. We were about 7000ft above sea level (2133m). At the very top we stopped and go out of the car to look around but it was quite misty. Then we carried on through a 325m tunnel which was so dark the full headlights did not penetrate more than 5ft. Then down the other side through St Gotthard, then on to Furka Pass which was even higher.

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/499758889875491323/

We stopped at Belvedere as the clouds had spread a little across the valley and we could see a road winding upwards again in the distance. Saw some marmosets. Stephen and I looked around an ice cave in a massive glacier by the side of the road (Rhone Glacier). It looked a sort of white/blue ice on the outside but inside there was tuqoise coloured ice.

https://www.somethingswiss.com/blog/2016/9/4/rhone-glacier

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/499758889875491323/

We travelled further up to the highest point of the road at Grimsel Pass +8000ft (2600m). It climbed up into the clouds and there was snow on either side. Then coming down the other side we encountered some roadworks. We could see where a line had been marked in the rock ready for blasting. Then the tarmac road gave way to a muddy lane and we had to slow right down as we went over some pot holes.

August 24th
The next morning wass sunny, although a little cloudy. We got up at 8am and set off at about 8.45am to Lauterbrunnen to catch a train up the Jungfrau. We had to race to get some seats as it was busy. We set off at 2,612 ft and climbed steeply through the forest to Wengweld and then on to Wengen at 4,180 ft. It was suprisingly big for a town that high up. in winter it would be a big skiing resort and also it has a good view of the mountains.

https://www.pandotrip.com/top-10-summer-trips-in-2015-18378/

Further on we passed through meadows with cows, then upwards again round the Lauberhorn to Kleine-Scheidegg at 6,762 ft where we had to change trains. There was just a big station junction with a restaurant and souvenir shops. Now we quickly climbed up to 10,000 ft to the bottom of the Eiger glacier.

From here the last part of the journey was by tunnel through the mountain with view points and stops at Eigerwald 9,400 ft and Eismeer 10,368 ft then we arrived at Jungfraujoch at 11,333 ft (3454m). It was very cold as we came out of the tunnel, through another, into the scoentific research area where we watched a film and looked around the exhibits.

Then as it was about 11.45am we went to the self-service restaurant. We were just deciding what to have when dad felt dizzy so we had to change our minds quickly because now we did not feel too well. I had some soup and two of our own sandwiches. After this we walked back through the tunnels to the ice palace. On the way we went outside for a look on the other side of the mountain. We could see a massive glacier and people like dots climbing up the Jungfrau on a very snowy path.

Then Stephen and I went on to the ice caves. The ice was less blue than on the Rhone glacier but there were more tunnels and there was even a car carved out of ice. Then we went back to the cafe for a warm drink. After that dad and I wwent up to the Sphynx at 11,700 ft. We had to wait a long time for there was quite a queue for the 350ft lift which took you to the highest point on the Jungfrau - even above the clouds. The Monch (13,447 ft) was very close to the balcony on which we stood. There were breath-taking views all around but we were glad to get back inside as it was very cold.

Aletsch glacier from Jungdrau https://springtomymind.com/jungfraujoch-things-to-do/

We made it back just in time to catch a train down again. At Kleine-Scheidegg we got pff and had a look around. Then as we had not had much lunch we went into a restaurant. I had a big plate of spaghetti in tomato sauce. When we got down to Wengen we decided to walk the rest of the way as it was only 1hr to Lauterbrunnen. It was a winding path and tiring to walk down as it was fairly steep.

August 25th
 Stephen was ill the next day and stayed in bed until 1.20pm when he got up to go to a doctor. It was a very hot day. In the morning I had a look around Interlaken and in the afternoon i sat out near the caravan. At night mum and I had a round of crazy golf.

August 26th
In the morning it was sunny again. I went to have a look at some bears at the back of the campsite. There were two little ones and two massive ones. In the adternoon we went to Spiez on Lake Thun. It was very hot and mum and I had a large ice cream. At night we went to a Swiss folk evening where there was yodelling, swiss horn blowing and dancing.

August 27th
In the morning we went to Bern. I bought lots of chocolates. Had lunch out, I had spaghetti in tomato sauce with two slices of pork, then caramel and cream for dessert. Went into Interlaken for the last time at night.

August 28th
Got up at 8am and got away by 9.10am, first to Bern then Basle, then Strasbourg. It was a very hot day. Our camsite was in Kehl. We went into Strasbourg and looked round the cathederal, saw the astronomical clock.

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/Strasbourg_Cathedral_Astronomical_Clock_-_Diliff.jpg

On the river there was a jousting game between two rowing boats and long poles. Mum bought an ink and watercolour painting of an old building in the cathederal square. A lot of musicians were plying in the street. Had a meal of grated red cabbage, grated carrot and sliced meat. Then chicken salad and chips with a glass of beer and a piece of apricot tart. We looked around a little then went back to the car. Got lost for about 1hr before finally getting back to the campsite - Strasbourg is in France, the campsite was in Germany.

August 29th
Got up at 8am, set off at 9.20am to Serverne, then onto the motorway. Sunny day.