Day 16

Wednesday 27 July 2011

We were picked up at nine and started a day of sightseeing in full sun! Ursula's breakfast gave us the strength to visit August the Strong's palace, opera house, platz, and churches. We walked to the river Elbe where the bridge stood, picturesque. Nearby was the new mall where we looked at GPSs for our car (boy, do we need one).

August the Strong's platz

Lunch was served back at the homestead where Rainer, their son, was waiting for us. After picking up his oldest son, Jonas, we were driven to Freiberg for an organ concert in the cathedral (the organ master teaches Rainer's children).

After walking around downtown Freiberg, we went to Rainer's home where Siegward and Ursula were waiting, and met Rainer's wife, Ottie, and their two other children Annika and Leinus. They had a fabulous table full of desserts, featuring a scrumptious cake made only in Freiberg. Annika played three songs on her clarinet and the kids seemed happy with their Simpsons "schwag."

The walk around their property

Annika, Dian

Jonas, Linus, Nicole

Dian asked, "can we go for a walk?" Little did we know the paradise that awaited us. The path that ran through the field led to a magical stream with a hunter's hut. Suddenly, something burst through the shrubbery by the river. Was it a deer? No, it was Ottie! She had come to meet us through the back way.

We left shortly after, and were treated to Ursula's famous Koenigsberg. She had sent this family recipe to Amelia and Jason (Dian's niece and husband) for the wedding cook book Grandmother had put together (we say, "try it, you two!"). Music was made by Dian and Nicole with their guitar after dinner.