Die Bahn were in efficient mode today. Dr. Stan and Hector made their Seven Minute Connection at Koblenz having travelled in little time at all on an Inter-City Zug from Düsseldorf. The next Connection at Bullay saw us finally approach Traben-Trarbach.
Clive and Maggie with two Crawley Friends and First-Timers, John and Jean, had arrived last night after a ten hour drive. Jonathan, his two Sisters and their respective Husbands had arrived on an early morning Flight from Edinburgh. Kari was with us last year. Irony of Ironies, no such Flight existed when Hector was arranging his Travel. Kirstie, Simon and John were also making their inaugural Trip to Wolf.
The Nine were sat outside the Stork Stütze in Trarbach drinking a variety of Weizenbier (Erdinger) and Zischke from the re-branded Königsbacher (Koblenzer, Koblenz, Rheinland-Pfalz). This Unfiltered Hell, or Kellerbier, as the Doris was serving it has been a favourite of Hector’s for over a decade. That it has appeared at this venue could be crucial for the future of visits to this Town. The Smoking Ban has not really arrived in Traben-Trarbach, too many Raucher-Locale. The Altstadt Café and Hami’s have become almost intolerable, The Station Bar (Türmchen) has reportedly no Bier worth drinking. When the Franziskaner was replaced by Erdinger (Erding, Bayern) last year, it was the Final Straw. This could be the New Venue we need. A Winter Trip when we go in to Drink and not necessarily Eat, will be the Test.
Dr. Stan and Hector went on to the Altstadt Café to check-in. A warm welcome from Frank, as ever.
Despite it being much warmer than Blighty, various members of the Company disappeared back to the Altstadt Café for more clothes. It was decreed that it was Tractor Time. We didn’t know – What Time the Boat Left. What had the Early Arrivals been doing all day? Some required Cash. The Tractor was there, Six Boarded, Five were left behind.
No sooner had we arrived at Wolf than it was reported that Jonathan and Family had been spotted – Taxi!
And so to Wine
Weissburgunder and Trocken are the two terms that we have come to rely upon. With these one cannot go on. Split into three Groups for Round Purposes, Dr. Stan and Hector knew that our Trio would do well today. The Third Bottle really Hit the Spot, it was a Weissburgunder.
Rain was promised. The occasional Shower threatened but never came to much. The Town was filling up, the Bands appeared, the Scampi in Knoblauch was devoured. Yes, just Another Saturday.
Simon and John returned from a Bier Sojourn (no comment) with a Chap in tow. It was John, first met in Düsseldorf years ago and a Semi-Regular at Wolf. He was astonished to see me, so were his Group who had reportedly just been discussing me moments before.
Time for Sekt
This is when the day usually reaches the Pinnacle. Copious quantities of Fizzy Wine were appropriated. After this it’s every Man, or Woman, for Himself.
Zebedee is back?
Normally we do the Main Street parallel to the Mosel then turn down towards the Spinning Steaks and the Pier. Today it was decided that it was time ot return to Traben-Trarbach before this was accomplished. I was not in disagreement, more time in Traben-Trarbach, and hopefully still able to enjoy my only evening there.
Dr. Stan and Hector found a Taxi, we were back in minutes. Goodnight, Dr. Stan. Ah, the Photos reveal Dr. Stan had stayed up to enjoy Reissdorf Kölsch (Reissdorf, Köln, Nordrhein Westphalen) at the Altstadt Café. Hector would be back.
The Stadt-Mühle was the Rendezvous, Hector had to see Richard and Marilies. Last year they took these premises over having run the Golden Traube for all of their lives. It was simply wonderful to see them both in action again. Richard has lost weight. Worrying. Marilies was full of Joy and was very Happy to see Hector. A Pianist entertained the Remaining Diners. Such a brief visit.
I left Clive, Maggie and whoever and headed for Hami’s. I had to get all My Places covered. Gisella was on duty, a Big Smile. Altbier. Clive joined me. Marg phoned. Time to have a Bier with Frank.
Dr. Stan and John were last men standing at the Altstadt Café. Fortunately the only other customer, a non-smoker departed leaving Mein Host as the only smoker. Strange.
Frank can find any Musik on the Planet with his Laptop. Tonight we enjoyed Steve Hackett’s – Shadow of the Hierophant, and some of Rote Erde by Irmin Schmidt. Frank insisted I hear some of the new Black Sabbath album, not bad at all.
And so call it a day. In the morning I have to head for Frankfurt am Main, still the most efficient way to get back to Glasgow. There will be Curry.
Restaurant and bars visited today:
Wolf Strassenfest – Wolf an der Mosel
Stork Stütze Kellerschänke – Brückenstraße 4, 56841 Traben-Trarbach
Historische Stadt-Mühle – Weihertorplatz 1, 56841 Traben-Trarbach
Altstadt-Cafe – Mittelstraße 12, 56841, Traben-Trarbach
Hami’s Pils Stübchen – Weiherstrasse, 56841, Traben-Trarbach