27 September 2023

We have stopped to “smell the roses” here in Mellendorf. And we are being spoilt…. Very spoilt.

And by “smelling roses”, I mean walking the dogs in the morning cool….

…Saying hello to the cows who later stopped the “traffic” on their way back from the milking shed to the paddock…

…. And almost literally smelling the roses, if sunflowers count, that is!!

Sophia takes the dogs on the same route each morning before “Frühstück“ (breakfast). I missed yesterday’s walk, but was determined to be awake, and ready to head out today. It was well worth the effort!!

Sophie and Hans Heinrich had done some research online and decided that today was the day we should visit Marienburg Schloss, which was about an hours drive away. Hans Heinrich, (Grahames first “ Driving-on-the- wrong-side, German Driving Instructor”, back in 2016) passed the keys over and I was again relegated to the back seat. (Surprise!) There was lots of hand gesticulating from Hans Heinrich as Grahame negotiated the autobahn and roundabouts of northern Germany. I hardly whispered a word!

“Back when King George V. (1819 – 1878) of Hanover made Marienburg Castle a gift to his wife, Queen Marie (1818 – 1907), he had no idea that his token of love would one day become one of the most impressive historic monuments in Germany. In its design, Marienburg Castle is reminiscent of a medieval hilltop castle. Its fairytale-like appearance is owed to the Queen’s wish for a romantic summer residence” (Google) The castle is now owned by Prince Ernst August of Hanover (step-son of Princess Caroline of Monaco) , who tried to sell it to a state owned foundation for a symbolic sales price of 1€ in return for the much needed repairs and maintenance. Apparently the “sale” went belly-up due to a family disagreement. So the upshot of all this is that I am not sure who is responsible for Marienburg anymore. But the place needs some work!!

The courtyard, cafe and gift shop were all very impressive, so imagine the disappointment when we learnt that the rest of the castle was actually closed despite the website indicating otherwise. Apparently “someone” has deemed it unsafe to enter the buildings until various repairs are made. (Could have told us that n the website).We had to be content with the outside gardens and the courtyard views.

As disappointing as it was, we still enjoyed our visit but now I’m even more confused about who is who, who owns what, and who is related to whom, in all those “Royal” European Families.

We went in search of something that was actually “open” and after a slight detour to walk in Sophie’s childhood woodlands, (her family home, long gone) we came across “Küchenmühle”.

“Küchenmühle“, a popular Restaurant /Bar, in the countryside nearby, was open and we took advantage of the cold drinks on offer. And the pizza!! And the pasta!! And the tirimisu!!!

By the end of our lunch, I couldn’t help but feel a bit like the local pub pet!

I liked the idea of an afternoon rest , and one could even go as far as to say I that I , too, was a happy as a pig in mud!!

The sun was well and truly over the yardarm, and the afternoon was still warm-ish. Hans Heinrich lit the fire and we sat outside, giving Google translate a thorough work out, whilst enjoying an afternoon bevy… or two.

Two of my little hedgehog mates turned up at dusk to have some dinner.

So, we were not the only ones who went to bed on a full stomach.