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20071217 Schweinfurt Link to Pictures
Cold. Brisk breeze from the east (straight along the river here).
After breakfast, we boarded the busses and went to Wurzburg. On arrival, we were dropped off in front of the Residenz, the official home of the prince-bishops in the 1700's. It's a huge place with wings to each side of a set-back center area. We joined a tour and went through the area the coaches would arrive in (now the reception area), then up a tremendous set of stairs with the ceiling painted to resemble areas of the world all coming to Wurzburg and going on by virtue of their leadership.
Visitors (and we) then entered a reception/guard hall to be met and noted by guards, who would then notify the person whom they wished to meet about their arrival.
We went into an inner room with tapestry walls (and a fancy commode) and original chandeliers that would have been a room to impress visitors as was the next room - the mirror room. It was totally covered, including the ceiling, with mirrors separated by gold-leaf borders. Very impressive.
We went deeper into the house and were told where the prince resided if he was present, but those rooms are not yet restored. Then into a shop (bought a little book on the Residenz) and out. We walked along the right wing and re-entered, into the Court Chapel.
This chapel is quite ornate in gold and marble with two huge paintings to left and right. You'll have to see the pictures.
We wandered down the Hofstrasse to the church, and were guided by Sandor Balusz through an alley, where David Pogul guided us to the Christmas Markt. Again, we indulged in Gluhwein (it grows on you) and shopped. This time we kept the cups to bring home (cheap souvenir - one Euro). MaryLou found some things.
Back to the busses, back to Schweinfurt, back to the boat. We unpacked and had lunch. Then we hit the road again, this time up a few blocks to the town center of Schweinfurt, where there was a small Christmas Markt (no tourists here but us). More Gluhwein to ward off the cold and fierce breeze, more walking around and getting little things.
MaryLou wanted something with the name "Schweinfurt" on it, so we wandered around with general directions and she finally found a few things. In the process we came across a couple of US soldiers (and one girl-friend) and exchanged greetings with them.
Then we wandered back to the ship. Dolores made me take a picture of it from the far side of the bridge - really cold with that wind blowing across the bridge. Now I'm typing these notes while they're up looking at what remains from the 4:00pm Tea Time that was held today.
In preparation for their return, I just put a bottle of wine out on our 6"-wide veranda to cool. Shouldn't take long.
More later.....after the talk about tomorrow (Bamberg).......and dinner.
We had dinner, then enjoyed a bottle of riesling in the after lounge next to the library.
Then back to the cabin, some reading, and bed.
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