http://joyolney1.blogspot.com.au
4 May 2012
Our train trip from Dresden to Bayreuth took three and half hours. Scenery was forested with a stream alongside the railway to fields of rope seed, villages, green fields and hilly at times.
We were looking forward to a long weekend with Connie & Harald Franz and their daughter Antonia. Their daughter Moni had lived six months with our son in 2004, and Antonia in 2011.
They were keen for us to experience Germany at its best. Their German breakfasts of cheeses, cold meats, bread rolls, fruit & coffee were delicious. We had dinner at a beer garden and enjoyed dancing in true German style.
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| German Beer Garden experience with Connie & Harald Franz in Bayreuth |
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| German breakfast of meats, cheeses & rolls with Antonia & Connie |
5 May 2012
Bayreuth is famous for its Opera House - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Truely beautiful building.
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| Margravial Opera House, Bayreuth (far right) |
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| Auditorium Margravial Opera House |
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| Interior Margravial Opera House, Bayreuth |
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| Queen Wilhelmine & King Friedrich Coat of Arms in Opera House |
Also visited Richard Wagner's Festival Hall which holds 5000 people and famous for its hooded orchestra pit. We went back stage in both these beautiful buildings.
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| Richard Wagner's Festival Hall, Bayreuth |
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| Interior Festival Hall, Bayreuth |
We went to New Hermitage Palace and saw its lovely gardens, hedges, lakes and ornate buildings.
The Old and New Palace and a concert in the Town Hall were all enjoyed with the Franz family.
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| Sun Temple at New Hermitage Palace, Bayreuth |
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| Antonia, Harald, Joy & Peter at Castle of the Giants |
6 May 2012
The next day we went to
Bamberg and visited the Bamberg Cathedral which was celebrating its 1000th anniversary. A magnificent building with lots of sculptures.
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| Bamberg Cathedral celebrated its 1000th anniversary |
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| Interior Bamberg Cathedral |
Bamberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and famous for its Town Hall built over the River.
The cobblestone streets gave lots of character.
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| Bamberg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site |
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| Bamberg |
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| Frescoes painted on old Town Hall 1755 |
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| Bamburg Town Hall built over the River |
In the evening we met Maria and her family. Maria had been a friend of Fiona & Darren since 1985 and had recommended Moni stay with Darren & Fiona.
Sadly we said our farewells and caught the train to Nuremberg.
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| Maria & Marcus with son Matthew, also Franz family & Peter |
You may wish to contact the author Joy Olney via email: joyolney@gmail.com
