Having Our Cake and Eating It

Today we found ourselves in the town of Triberg deep in the Black Forest. This pretty little place of original, national and world records;

Home of the original Black Forest Gateau, Cafe Shaefer. The Hairy Bikers recommended it to us. Obviously we had to try it, It was very nice, light but boozy was the consensus.

  So then on to Germany's longest waterfall, a series of less than spectacular but very nice falls (well we have been to Niagara) the walk through the forest which accompanied it was very pleasant.








Finally to the world's biggest Cuckoo Clock (verified by the Guinness Book of Records I'll have you know !) We turned up just before 4 so had the opportunity to hear it chime.

That Freiburg Feeling !

We have spent the last 2 days exploring the lovely city of Freiburg. The sunniest city in Germany apparently - although Sunday looked a bit grey to start with it came out nice and has been that way since. It's a very 'green' place with everybody on bikes, charging points for your 'leccy cars at the supermarket and a car free city centre - public transport is excellent. As you can see from the photos below I am taking full advantage of not having to drive. Weissbeir being a particular favourite.
We climbed to the top of a 3,900 foot mountain today, well I say that, the first 3,700 feet was by cable car all 3.5 Km of it.

(Click on the photo if you want to see a bigger version)

Guess who found a micro brewery in the city centre?

Looking down on the Rhine Valley

Disney in a day (and a 5 hr drive the next day)

I know you've all been champing at the bit to know how Disney went, well let me tell you, it was a long, long day. Arrived 0915 departed 2330. We did all the big coasters, saw 3 parades, the girls got a cuddle from Capt. Jack Sparrow (Maggie had to make do with me) and a very good show-cum-fireworks display at the end of the day.

Did I mention it started to rain about 1900?

Didn't rain all night as you can see!

So back we went to our hotel and watched the Olympics opening ceremony 'til 2 in the morning with a French commentary. We were a bit groggy this morning as you can guess so we had a slow start before the 5 hour drive to Freiburg.  A lovely apartment awaited and we are looking forward to a relaxing week (once the Tuba playing dies down - I kid you not). Auf Wiedersehen !

Hot Air and lack of it....

In the words of Alison Moyet we're 'All tyred out'...
The day started well, zooming through the tunnel and down to the outskirts of Paris 'tout suite'. Then a friendly Frenchman made a funny circular motion and pointed down as he was overtaking....I pulled off the motorway to find a half flat tyre. :-(((
There then followed an afternoon of finding air, then the hotel and then 'Le kwikfit' - how do the French get new tyres? it took us 'til 1630 to find one and then they said they couldn't do it that day!!! Anyway it seems to be holding up so we'll need to go Saturday morning.
Happier times afterwards, over to Disney Village for a stroll around to buy the traditional Disney Christmas bauble, a balloon ride and Planet Hollywood for dinner.

Here's the planned route;
View Road Trip Map in a larger map

Right then, this is the Barnes's  trip to Europe 2012 . That's us set up. So hang on to your seats and 'enjoy'  the ride !