The Trains from Ceske Budejovice via Linz to Passau would stop at every lamp-post. [Stan.TC] cheered us up even more by telling us that he had discovered the last section of the journey to Linz would be by Replacement Bus. In Linz we had exactly an hour to drink a Stiegl Helles in a Station bar, by this time Lord Clive had arrived in Passau. He was able to find out about the best way of getting to the Hotel Wilder Mann. Having established the location of the Bus Stop and the time of departure, Hector was not amused when asked how much the Fare was.
The Sky was overcast, conditions were muggy yet the clouds looked to be of the Alto Cumulus variety, Hector did not predict Rain. It started to Rain just as the Bus came. By the time we alighted at Rathaus Platz it was chucking it down. How can one get soaked walking twenty five metres. Marg thought this was a good time to phone.
It was Robin’s desire that we take him back to Passau on this Trip. He has been here a couple of times before and has always raved about the Picturesque Nature of the Town, the Confluence of Three Rivers, – The Donau, The Inn and the Ilz, oh, and some Breweries. This was the Leg of the Trip entitled Robin’s Random Ramblings – he would take us to all the wonderful places he knew. Robin sat on a chair in Reception and announced that he did not recognise anything. This was meant to be the start of Hector’s two days off, Hector was back.
Lord Clive, by now an expert on all things Passau suggested we go next door to the Rathaus Keller. The Stockbrau-Löwenbrau Helles did not particularly impress. After the delights of Czech Bier, this simply did not compete.
The Tin-Tineray showed Zum Alten Brauhaus to be a few metres further down the Peninsula. We moved on, the Rain still pouring. The Company was split, Howard, Neil and Hector sat at an adjacent table to the rest of the Group. At least Jonathan made the effort to include us in. The Arcobrau Zwicklbier proved to Flat, and Lifeless despite having been pumped. The Weizen was unremarkable. We all ate well, some thought their meal was the best ever, have they not been to the Augustiner Tap?
Being on the periphery, Neil, Howard and Hector went to look for the other venue on the peninsula, Zum Hoffragner, it was closed, perhaps permanently. Returning to Zum Alten Brauhaus we announced our departure for the Town Centre. Vic, of Evening Star – Brighton fame, told me last week that the Bayerischer Lowe at the ZOB was the best place in town. Having some idea of the scale of the place, I knew we could walk back there in ten minutes or so. Lord Clive came with us.
There was a familiar voice behind us as the four of us reached the door, Jonathan and Robin had managed to take the Bus, [Stan.TC] was coming on foot.
There was an Event taking place just up the hill, so the Youth of Passau were assembled there. This left the Bayerischer Löwe empty, a large table was ours. The Naturubes Vollbier served in a Steinkrug was again considered to be fine, not outstanding. Most of us moved on to the Weizen, this had Bananas – flavour at last. This was the best Bier of the Day. Hector was last to leave the building.
Jonathan and [Stan.TC] were now emerging as Temporary Hectors, they found the Last Bus back at 23.30. [Stan.TC] stood describing how the Bus in front of us was the one we wanted, as it pulled away. It was a pleasant walk along the Banks of The Donau…
The Pubs visited today:
Rathaus Keller – Rathaus Platz, Passau
Zum Alten Brauhaus – Braugasse 5, Passau
Bayerischer Löwe – Dr.-Hans-Kapfinger-Straße 3, 94032, Passau