Part 41: Ronneburg Medieval Fest

October 6, 1991 [Cold, Damp, and Drizzly]:  “Bumped into this festival by accident.  Drove to the castle last evening to check how late in the year the castle would be open.  There were cars everywhere and many people leaving the castle.  Learned the festival would continue through the next day and decided to join in the fun."  


The Mittelalterliche Burgfestspiele - Medieval Fest was put on by the Ronneburg Castle Preservation Society and the present owners.  The Fest was great!  There were several shows including medieval music performed by Mosswood, tightrope clowns, a jester's troop, and several skits performed by a traveling theatrical group.  

We liked the skits the best of all.  They had everything; tavern scenes, knights, cannons, sword fights and all.  The German fighters were so intense and really seemed to be going after each other.  We rooted for a formidable man with a beard that put Blackbeard's to shame.  Sparks were flying from his sword blows. One of the fighters' sword point broke off and arced through the air into the spectators.  Not to worry, New Mexico Man snatched the projectile from mid-air with his lightning speed.  Compared to American safety standards, it seemed quite reckless.  However, as observers imaging ourselves back in time we found it to be Super!   

Ovation

After the skits, we wandered the grounds, we drank sourmash, and we ate flatbread with dried onions and yogurt sauce.  We watched chainmail smiths, blacksmiths, coin smiths, etc., work their trades.  I climbed the Central Tower rising high above the castle via endless winding spiral stone steps and wooden ladders up to the crowning dome designed by a Welsh stone mason.   Stepping off of the final rung revealed spectacular views of the surrounding country-side.   Spent a bit too much time up top to escape notice and were given a replica Medieval coin newly minted at the event.  All in all one of our favorite days!

Ronneburg children

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Most people are afraid of flying sparks.  Admit it, I am Fearless.

Part 40: Denmark - Aarhus Viking Moot

VW Golf Aufklieber

July 28, 1991 "Weather Moderate.  Arrive in Aarhus at 2:45 p.m., checked into our dopplezimmer and headed to the Viking Moot."  

Left Bishoffsheim at 11 p.m. Saturday night.  After traveling 200 km realized we had forgotten an essential document necessary for crossing the border.  After taking a wrong turn, retrieved said document at 4:00 a.m..  Finally got back on the road after overcoming the additional set back of dropping the car key into the groove of our car's hatchback when refueling.    Arrived in Aarhus almost 15 hours after our initial departure. 

I liked the shy one on the right

Checked into our hotel and made haste traveling back in time to the Saint Olai Viking Moot.  The Vikings were adorned in their Norse finery going about their daily activities of cooking, sailing, working, fishing, horse racing, and trading.  We helped them mind their horses, a small purebred Icelandic breed-- short, sturdy, and especially fond of the sugar snap peas we had brought for them.  As with many of the animals we encountered through our travels they seemed quite fond of us; following us around the field whinnying softly and nudging our shoulders.  Finally short on time and out of  treats NM Man used his animal linguistic ability to politely rebuke them - saying basically enough was enough and we had to be on our way.  They responded by tossing their heads high saying "far vel vinr"(farewell friend) and wishing us safe travels.         

The Chieftain sent a messenger to request we join him to end Saint Olai Day at his camp.  We relaxed eating and socializing at his fire until the hour was quite late.  NM Man traded his gloves for a leather pouch and I was given a Viking coin specially minted to commemorate our visit.  We woke up back in the present and spent the rest of the time shopping, exploring the Moesgård Museum, swimming, building sand castles and relaxing on the beach reflecting upon all that we had seen.

Viking Ship sail barely visible, horizon mid-frame

Breakfast amid a sea of Wild Rose Bushes

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Most people are afraid of time travel.  Admit it, I am Fearless.

Part 39: Rheine River - Aflame

July 6, 1991:
“At St. Goar we embarked on a river cruise.”

As we stood at the dock ready to embark on our river cruise, we were gifted with a small souvenir book of Rheine legends inscribed by the Vineyard Meisters.  We boarded the riverboat and waved as they shouted "Gruss Gott!", and "Auf Wiedersehen".  

Once underway we relaxed on deck as the boat lazily moved along with the flow of the river.  We read our book of legends while enjoying the sights which included castles and towers of course.  


Of the thirteen castles we saw, one was to be a Knight's wedding gift to his love but she never came to wed him.  





Two belonged to robber barons who in their desire to destroy each other brought both castles down to ruins.  

One marked the site of an old Celtic Settlement

And one was wrought with Legend.  

Upon our return to Rudesheim, we enjoyed a late dinner before watching the Rheine set aflame.  We were surprised with a prime riverside spot courtesy of none other than our new Weinmeister friends with whom we ate Riesling grapes and rubbed elbows until well after midnight.  The fireworks were fantastic and the setting couldn't have been better.



  The End.

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Most people are afraid of robber barons.  Admit it, I am Fearless.

Part 38: Rheine in Westfalia

July 6, 1991 "Left early in the morning --went to the Rheine River area.“

Car 97

Celts and Romans introduced the art of wine making to the banks of the Rheine -- vineyards were everywhere.  Grapes are harvested from March through October with the grapes harvested farther into the season being the sweetest.   Took a cable car ride over the local vineyards --Elvis rode car #97 in G.I. Blues.  

Germania

Saw the Germania statue (Germany's  Liberty), then onto Schloss Rudesheim 
to tour a Castle/Wine Museum.  

We explored a music  box museum which had a calliope  in a brick-lined alcove, a deafening 

experience.

Taken from Lorelei Rock

Our next stop was the rock of the Lorelei, daughter to Father Rheine and a water element of legend.  While mostly good she is often contradictory and can be fatal.   We narrowly escaped her rock where only NM Man's super abilities kept us from being lost to the world.  


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Most people are afraid of elements.  Admit it, I am Fearless.