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I have explored (some of) Munich and Landshut since my last missive and will be getting all the relevant info up and online today - watch this space (if you are really bored).

I've been told that I am a peculiar tourist, what with the season and all, but it has been fabulous. The weather has suited me well, but I am aware of the horrors to come. Last 2 days were grey, cold and wet, but still good. Hoping for more snow and/or sunshine. And more countries after some R&R

Munich is a handsome town. Capital of Bavaria and has a lot of surprises for the ignorant tourist, such as your correspondent. I thought that all Germany had basically turned Protestant back in the day but no. A very catholic town it is. With very fine food and beer (although Tingo would probably have died of starvation with the local definition of 'vegetarian' seeming to be 'eats less meat'.
A fountain in the old botanic garden (I like fountains, okay? So don't get all psychological about this)


I don't even know what building this one is, but I was impressed.


This is the new town hall on Marienplatz. I like the fact that the town call, with councillors inside, is called a Rathaus. Seems appropriate.

As you can see, I have once more been moderately luck with the weather. I say moderately, because snow doesn't suit everyone and it is definitely getting colder. The two pictures below were taken today, so you can see the grey.
This one shows a building that is I think under redevelopment (part of the Residenz - I like how the German spelling could pass as Old School as in Tupac). Either that or they got a bit carried awa with the trompe l'oeil. I'm learning new phrases all the time, eh?

Snow

Yes, I really got that wrong, kind of. In Munich it didn't settle, but in Bad Tölz, Mittenwaldand a host of other places it settled delightfully (I wasn't driving). Looked like a fantasy Christmas everywhere. I'll post proof when I can.

Wunderbar

Last night: In the Hofbrauhaus drinking fine beer with the traditional oompah band blowing away in the background, it is (for me at least) impossible to dislike Bavaria. Fun, friendly people in a very relaxed and happy place. And then that was followed by a dinner of goose the size of, well, a goose.

It is now snowing. It is so great. Wish you were here? It isn't heavy snow, and unlikely to settle (too wet), but it looks wonderful.

I have a few days in Bavaria. That might turn into a few more. I am undecided. However, I'd like to see some of Switzerland and I've been heavily directed to go to Rome. Could be worse. I'll be in France for mid-November, never fear.

There has been criticism leveled at your earnest correspondent for using too many in-jokes. Well listen up, Divine Miss Em, that's the way it is. I'm not doing it deliberately, but I am trying to keep it relevant to my loyal readers and thus putting in little notes for them. So there :-P. But seriously, I hadn't really been aware of it, so I can't really stop. Sorry.

Got the Forest result sent to me by text and was disappointed with a 0-0. England then proceeded to lose the rugby and it was actually on the telly here, much to my surprise. I didn't really get disappointed or excited by that, although I know that Big Bad Bob won't be disappointed while Vix will be. I now discover Wellington lost the NPC and a defensive blunder handed victory to the Central Coast Mariners against the Phoenix. Oh well. It's nice to be here.

I'm off with some locals to explore some local things (not 'precious things' and not League of Gentlemen style 'locals' thank you). Assuming the weather isn't too bad.

You may also be interested to learn that just as the weather turns, I had a haircut on Thursday in Berlin. "What could possibly be interesting about that?" I can almost hear you exclaim in disgust. Well, it was the day after Russia beat England in the stupid football and, as I discovered, it was a Russian barber. I think he may have enjoyed himself. Especially pretending to not speak English. Fortunately I have a hat (from Vierumaki in Finland, thanks Baggieboy).

Again, no private PC access, so no piccies for a day or two, unless I get, ahem, creative.

Berlin Images

Just a couple more for keepsakes:


This is Tingo by the way. He's gone now, so I could name and shame. I'm such a git.

Berlin Zoo

This is probably the best zoo I've been to. Clean, clearly signposted, well-maintained and room for most of the animals (birds excepted but they always seem to get a raw deal).
Panda:

Okapi (probably the finest backside in nature - with one possible exception)

Polar bears...



This is Knut, by the way: the controversial polar bear cub. Bigger and grubbier now than some of those cutesy images, eh?

All manner of other stuff too, but you'll have to wait for the full download for the details won't you.

Ich bin ein Berliner

For a day or two. A sad place, and not really me, to be perfectly honest. I think if you are more of a party person then maybe, but I'm more keen on the historic buildings thing, and Berlin has such a raw history that you feel like you are staring into gaping wounds that are only just starting to heal.

So you end up with building sites where the old DDR government was housed

And you get fancy modern domes on buildings that were heavily bombed

Which isn't to say that Berlin doesn't have many fine buildings, just that the context is a bit grim.

Berlin zoo today and hopefully a bit of a walk round the park and then on to Munich tomorrow! Assuming there are no administrative issues, of course...

Bremen

Bremen was my idea. Many years ago, I did some research on the town, chosen pretty much at random. And now I had a chance to go there. I'm not the guy who turns down that sort of opportunity.

A train from Copenhagen to Hamburg (a long way) and then on to Bremen. The dusk light suggested there were good things to be seen here (and a fine bar serving Bremen's most famous export - Becks - did similar). But sadly we had just the one night. So (as ever) I awoke early and took some snaps. I was very taken with the place.
Roland (another famous icon of Bremen) was one of Charlemagne's knights - a paladin. He also had a famous sword called Durendal. Yes, another World Heritage Site...


The more you looked, the more there was to see...





But now Berlin. A different kind of city, indeed.