Well we finally managed to get over to Germany for a week of sightseeing and to catch up with the Roomes. South Germany exceeded all expectations. Absolutely beautiful!!
Mark and Liesel's apartment has a brilliant view looking out of the village below and the Schonbuch forest. Mark waisted no time introducing me to the Schonbuch wheat beer (weizbier).
On Day 2 we explored the town of Herrenberg where the local summer festival was underway. Loads of wursts and pork steak rolls on sale (and plenty beer). The food (including the Italian ice cream) was excellent.
On Day 3 we headed for Stuttgart. You can't help but notice how different the architecture is from that in England.
We came across this display of painted bears holding hands, which has apparently travelled around the world. Each bear has been painted by a different country, apparently symbolising harmony between nations.
Gaylene discovered, and fell in love with buttered pretzels.
Sampling more of the local cuisine: lunch consisting of wiener schnitzel and maultaschen (pasta filled with spicy meat, served in a broth), apparently a speciality of the Baden-Württemberg region.
Day 4 we did some shopping in Sindelfingen where Mark introduced us to Pfefferweise (sp??) (pepper sausage). Morish.
And to continue with the food theme, and since we were just a stone throw away from the Black Forest, we tried our hand at making Black Forest Cake. Despite whipping the first batch of cream into butter (pretty good butter actually), the cake was a resounding success.
Day 5 was spent at Europa Park, Europe's biggest theme park. Really good. Each section of the park is themed around a different European country, with matching architecture, food, entertainment etc.
Plenty of rides for the thrill-seekers. The capsules on this roller coaster rotate as you go along, so you don't know whether your going to be taking the big dive facing forward of backwards. What a rush!
Mrs Fyvie was in her element at having discovered the biggest sweety pie ever.
Levi and I checked out the balloon swing ride. No fear in this little guy! 
And here it is....the main thrill attraction, the Silver Star, the highest roller coaster in Europe. At 73 m high, it is apparently classified as a hyper-coaster. The initial drop just never ends. You don't think about it, you just do it... only problem is that the 30minute queue kind of forces you to think about it.
On Day 6 we headed south into Bavaria towards the Bavarian Alps. Our mission was to get to Hohenschwangau, an alpine village from where one can visit the Neuschwanstein Castle, the most photographed building in Germany and apparently the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty castle in Disneyland. We followed a route called the Romantic Road, which wasn't very romantic, but the the trip was well worth it. The castle, perched high up on a ridge surrounded by forest covered mountains, is breathtaking.
Hohenschwangau Castle, right in the middle of the town.
This basically means "no more 120km/h, so klap it as fast as you want". Most guys just cruise around at about 160km/h.Day 7 we headed for the city of Constance on the shores of the "Bodensee" (Lake Constance). The city was a real surprise... loads so street-side cafe's, beautiful buildings and well geared towards water sports and life in the summer sun. The lake is huge (over 60km long).
Went for a nice little boat cruise.
I liked this... people just parking off drinking their coffee under the tree, cyclists cruising around.... all very relaxing.
Having not swum outside for more than a year, and with the temperature hitting 30 degrees, we couldn't resist the call for a goof. We drove around onto the Swiss side, and found a great swimming spot in a little town called Romanshorn.
Day 8 was G's birthday, so she was treated to balloons and Black Forest cake in bed.
We spent the rest of the day walking in the neighbouring village of Kayh before heading off to Nagoldtalsperre, a dam tucked away in the middle of the Black Forest where more swimming was in order.
Went for a nice little boat cruise.
I liked this... people just parking off drinking their coffee under the tree, cyclists cruising around.... all very relaxing. 
Having not swum outside for more than a year, and with the temperature hitting 30 degrees, we couldn't resist the call for a goof. We drove around onto the Swiss side, and found a great swimming spot in a little town called Romanshorn. Day 8 was G's birthday, so she was treated to balloons and Black Forest cake in bed.
We spent the rest of the day walking in the neighbouring village of Kayh before heading off to Nagoldtalsperre, a dam tucked away in the middle of the Black Forest where more swimming was in order.
