We had been tending to sleep late, so we were sure to set an alarm clock on one of the iPads. It offers a choice of sounds, so we chose the bugle call Reveille. It certainly captures the attention, and it succeeded in getting us up and on our way at the appropriate time. Down four flights of stairs with our suitcases. Here’s the view from the top. Note how worn, rounded, and smoothed they have become over the ages. The handrail was very solid, and we made good use of it.
First a stop at Starbucks. There Sue Anne recalled some of her previous adventures in France with a name that they don’t quite recognize. Here’s how her cup at Starbucks ended up.
Métro to the railroad station, Gare de l’Est. The plan was for Sue Anne, our designated Francophone, to plead to the authorities that we be able to take the train despite the absence of our tickets, which we apparently had left back home in New Hampshire. After all, we had reservations and the train system is fully computerized like the airlines, so they should be able to verify our story. Non, madame, c’est impossible! So we dug out the credit card and are now €150 less rich, but hoping that we will be able to get back a credit for the unused tickets when we get home.
Fast, easy, comfortable, nonstop ride to Strasbourg on the famed Train à Grande Vitesse (TGV). Very agricultural countryside. Strangely there were numerous pockets of thick fog alternating with sunlight along most of the route. Rental car at the train station, and a drive of perhaps a half hour or so south to Bergheim.
If that name sounds kind of German, it certainly is. It means ‘mountain home’. Alsace has been swapped back and forth between the two countries many times in its history. There is no doubt in anybody’s mind that it is now truly a part of France, but the linguists in us are still fascinated by the many influences of the German language that we see in the area. All the way down the road from Strasbourg (itself a rather German sounding name, though with a slightly different spelling) were signs to towns with names beginning with Ober- or Nieder-, or ending with -heim, -berg, or other familiar German town name suffixes. And they often spell the word vin (wine) with a W.
Scenery along the way from Strasbourg was quite lovely. The Vosges mountains are just to the west, with many of the hilltops occupied by castles. We shall certainly be spending some time there.
Bergheim is a very old, very compact place, dating back at least 800 years or more. Parts of the ramparts and the entry gate tower still remain. Picturesque, and yes even quaint. Our host told us that our house here has parts dating back to the 1200s, though the inside is indeed quite modern and well appointed. It was his family home as a child, and he now lives in the next town and rents this house out to tourists. It was very generously provided with a day or two worth of light food supplies and a bottle of local Riesling, which is all gone now. The place is really too big for us, as we made all the arrangements when we had planned for a party of five. But that’s OK.
We took a brief walk around town but haven’t yet taken any pictures. This drawing captures the spirit of the place, as seen looking through our gate at the house across the street. Half-timbered houses everywhere, with no lack of brightness.
More to come. Stay tuned!
And to wrap up today’s post, a brief commercial announcement: We mentioned back at the beginning of the blog that this trip was arranged by a company called Untours. They have a stock of rental properties available all over the US, Europe, and a few selected other places. They really know their territory and are very adept at making the fundamental arrangements and providing local assistance if things go wrong. Bruce’s parents took an Untour vacation in Switzerland to celebrate their 50th anniversary, but this is our first experience with them. And we’re very happy at how responsive they have been, especially with all the last minute changes to Aimée, Steve, and Nate’s plans. As their name suggests, they make the arrangements, but it’s up to you to do what you want to do when you get there. That’s OK with us. Link to their website
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