We are clear and free to navigate.

First off, anyone who can place the title with a character and a film, needs to get out more.

We were back on the autobahns and eating up the miles, the weather had cooled so the windows were up, the car was holding together so we allowed our speed to creep up, 125mph was sustained for a while until our nerve regarding the welded wheel bearing, oil leak and the dwindling fuel supply persuaded us to return to a more sedate 85 - 90, hell if its going to let go at 70 it will still be a mess so why be scarred.

In time the Alps appeared on the horizon, majestic, snow capped and beautiful, and hiding in them somewhere was the Neuschwanstein, our first detour of the day, apparently it was well worth an hour or two before we thought about camping and the Stelvio Pass.

Our borrowed sat nav did not seem able to find the Neuschwanstein, no matter what we tapped in garbage came out, this was possibly not helped by the fact we did not really now how to spell it, so armed with several maps written in German we turned off the Autobahn at what we felt was a realistic point and headed into the Mountains.

We drove up passes and down passes, we did U turns, we started again, we pulled over and looked at the maps again, we each looked at a different map in case the other person had made a mistake, then we swapped the maps back. We were sure we must have been a nats whisker away but try as we might, the castle eluded us.

Unlike the rain, that had hunted us down and now followed us on every road, pass and valley, occasionally the rain would succumb and allow it's good friends mist and fog to join in whilst it went off to get its strength back. By now the car was misting up nicely and the damp air was mixing with the damp sweaty bodies of the occupants, opening a window simply allowed more rain to poor in, it was turning into a long day...

Goodbye to Obervolkach and its Vineyards

After two very memorable and enjoyable nights staying with Manuel and his father Klaus; to whom we are both appreciative of their hospitality it was time to head south for the Alps, so after loading the car our road trip started again.

But not without some recommendations for sightseeing, it was pointed out that we would pass very close to the Neuschwanstein a castle that was by all accounts well worth a brief detour to see.

Well, armed with a Tom Tom and an array of maps what could possibly go wrong?

Living the dream..

In addition to a private tour of the Bishops Palace we were also privileged to enjoy a private wine tasting at the Schloss Hallburg wine estate , in addition to being somewhat of a historian Manuel was keen to show us his other talent, which is a broad knowledge of wine and so Marc and I were to be found in what could only be described as heaven, keen as we both are to a small drop of wine. As you can see from the photos a vast selection was available, from which our host selected a significant amount for us to sample. Another truly memorable part of our trip.

And some more...

More of Wurzburg

These two buildings are superb examples of Baroque and Baroque Rococo, the Rococo style being more flamboyant with shell like motifs.

Wurzburg 16th March 1945

This day saw 90% of the medieval city destroyed by the RAF in 17 minutes, now I have walked around Bristol, London and even Coventry and never really given much of a thought to them being bombed and burned, largely because what was lost has been replaced with tower blocks and 1960's Britain. However walking around Wurzburg you would never know it had been destroyed. Despite being burnt to the ground with the fire bombing, more so even than Dresden, the City appears untarnished. This we learned was because over the next 20 years from 1945 the buildings of historical importance were painstakingly and accurately replicated.

This did not happen in Coventry

The 2nd picture is part of a replicated church, the image quality is poor as the zoom on the camera was not great. It shows a recreated gargoyle (or grotesque as no water flows from this) the principal being a figure representing evil spirits. As you can see this has been carved by the people of Wurzburg to replicate an Allied soldier, complete with grenades and a weapon.

Wurzburg, wine, and culture...

Our next stop was to be Manuels pad, here we were introduced to fine wine, local restaurants and a very enjoyable and informative tour of the Bishops Palace in Wurzburg, a local Wine Châteaux and vineyards.

Wurzburg is quite frankly an awe-inspiring place, Baroque in architecture and vibrant in spirit. We were taken by Manuel to the Bishops Palace, here we enjoyed a private tour (Manuel who had been studying history was working as a tour guide among many of his other attributes) so was able to take us beyond the areas usually seen by the public. Unfortunately no photos could be taken within the Palace, and I will not attempt to describe what was seen as quite frankly my writing style could not convey the true beauty, elegance and extravagance of the interior. Suffice to say I have seen the largest unsupported fresco in Europe and can tell you that it depicts good vs evil and an ascension into heaven.

The box full of heads though, did slightly freak me out. And no that is not a typo.

Outside we were able to park the car directly outside (you can tell this is not the U.K)