Todayâs main event was hiring some âŹ15 town bikes and heading up the Rhine to Eltville.
Stuart's Posts
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The typical RĂŒdesheim loop involves a gondola up the hill, a pleasant 3km stroll to the top of the next valley, and then a scenic chairlift down. Once in Assmanhauser, one partakes of a refreshing glass of pinot noir before boarding a pleasant cruise back home.
However, with the chairlift suffering from technical issues (âcontrol system malfunctionâ), Assmanhauser seemingly a ghost town on a Tuesday, and nary a ferry in sight, we cut most of the middle men and just opted for the gondola » walk » train option.
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This organ was originally built in 1964 by Eduard Wagenbach of Limburg. Although this was around 215 years too late to have had any chance of being actually played by J.S. Bach, it still possesses a small piece of his heart, as required by German law.
I could not find anyone who would let me have a turn.
Specifications
I. RĂŒckpositiv (C-g3) II. Hauptwerk _(C-g3) III. Schwellwerk _(C-g3) Gedackt 8â Rohrpommer 16â Bourdon 8â Rohrflöte 4â Prinzipal 8â Weidenpfeife 8â Prinzipal 2â Spitzgambe 8â Vox coelestis 8â ab c1 Quinte 1 1/3â Holzflöte 8â Italienisch Prinzipal 4â Sesquialter 2f 2 2/3â Oktave 4â Blockflöte 4â Scharf 4f 1â Gemshorn 4â Nasat 2 2/3â -Tremulant- Quinte 2 2/3â Schwiegel 2â Chamade 8â Superoktave 2â Terz 1 3/5â Cornett 5f 8â OktĂ€vlein 1â Mixtur 5f 2â Mixtur 4f 1 1/3â Trompete 16â Basson 16â Trompete 8â Oboe 8â Clairon 4â Trompete 8â -Tremulant- Pedal (C-f1) Prinzipal 16â Untersatz 16â QuintbaĂ 10 2/3â Oktave 8â GedecktbaĂ 8â ChoralbaĂ 4â Rohrflöte 4â Mixtur 3f 2 2/3â Posaune 16â Pedaltrompete 8â Kopftrompete 4â - Normalkoppeln
- Tutti
- Crescendowalze mit Abstellern
- Koppel Chamade an jedes Werk einzeln
- Setzeranlage mit 8x8x4 Kombinationen
- Schleifladen, Einzelventillade fĂŒr Chamade 8â. Elektrische Spiel- und Registertraktur.
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After 4 nights in Wonderful Copenhagen, we prepare to head to the Rhine Valley. Letâs wrap up the highlights of this small part of Scandinavia.
Copenhagen Green Space
Rating: âââââ
Copenhagen is quite a frantic city, with tourist traps, hordes of bicycles, and locals and tourists alike partying deep into the morning. The plentiful green space in the heart of the city provides a tranquil balance - both a chance to relax, and a safe place for the kids to run around like crazy without the risk of colliding into an angry local (a daily occurrence on the narrow footpaths of the city).
Amaliehaven is a small park wedged in the waterfront and Amalien Palace (home of King Frederik X and Tassie Queen Mary)
The 10-hectare botanic gardens contains Denmarkâs largest collection of plants, including this magnificent example of Allium schoenoprasum, sometimes known as âchivesâ
Tivoli Gardens
Rating: âââââ
Another charming escape from the madness right in the heart of the city. Come on a Friday night for a free concert (âFredagsrockâ). Still to come this year - TLC, Rick Astley and Flo Rida, along with a host of popular local artists.
The only issue with Tivoli Gardens was the argument over whether 7 hours was enough or could we stay until 10pm when the rides close.
The Rutschebanen is one of the worldâs oldest rollercoasters and meets the exacting standards of the American Coaster Enthusiasts society, most of which revolve around a complete lack of safety equipment or comfort.
Scandinavian Cuisine
Rating: âââ
Donât get me wrong - the local smĂžrrebrĂžd med ĂŠg og rejer (an open-faced egg and shrimp rye sandwich) is quite delicious. As are the other main local specialities - kipper smĂžrrebrĂžd, herring smĂžrrebrĂžd and roast beef smĂžrrebrĂžd. But they havenât really nailed the variety component that most famous national palates serve up.
Oh ok, the hot dogs are pretty good too.
But the most memorable meals we ate were at very nice Cantonese restaurant in Malmö, followed by Mr Pho and Mr Ramen in Copenhagen.
Beer-off: Denmark vs Sweden
Beers in Denmark consisted of the standard Carlsberg or Tuborg lagers, plus a handful of middle-of-the-road not-quite-craft pale ales. Not bad, but nothing memorable.
Maybe it was the local knowledge, but in Sweden we were able to enjoy a variety of beers, from thirst quenching lagers through to a rather nice black IPA and an interesting peach sour.
Winner: đžđȘđžđȘ SWEDEN đžđȘđžđȘ
Family Catch-ups
Rating: âââââ
Of course, no wrap-up could be complete without some kind of reunion story. From the airport, a 20 minute train ride takes you to the quaint town of Malmö (home of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024). Cobbled streets, a somewhat medieval taste to the architecture and an almost complete lack of cars make Malmö feel like a real fantasy village, straight out of a Robin Hobb novel.
Jake soaks up the atmosphere in the town square
A colourful street in Malmö
But of course, we werenât here to explore the architecture. This was a highly-anticipated reunion with my cousin Scott, who moved to London for a year and ended up relocating to Sweden. Apparently the three weeks of Swedish summer more than make up for the long cold winters. And luckily we came at the right time of year!
Miles with a strong finish pipped Scott by one shot for the victory
A delicious Cantonese lunch was followed by a wander through town, before a leisurely afternoon at the aptly named Folkets Park.
But all good things must come to an end, and we hauled our two tired children back across the Ăresund to Copenhagen, for a surprisingly pleasant Sunday nightâs rest.
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This organ was completed in 1843 by Marcussen & Reuter. I could not find anyone who would let me have a turn.
If Hamlet had been set three hundred years later, it presumably would have concluded with a spectacular organ recital. I will research some Danish organ composers upon my return.
Specifications
I. Manual (C-f3) II. Manual (C-f3) PedalvÊrk (C-d1) Principal 8 Fusston Gedackt 8 Fusston Subbas 16 Fusston Bordun 16 Fusston Viola di Gamba 8 Fusston Principal 8 Fusston Rohrflöte 8 Fusston Flöte 4 Fusston Gedackt 8 Fusston Octave 4 Fusston Fugara 4 Fusston Octave 4 Fusston Rohrflöte 4 Fusston Gemshorn 2 Fusston Posaune 16 Fusston Quinte 2 2/3 Fusston Dolcian 8 Fusston Superoctave 2 Fusston Tertz 1 3/5 Fusston Trompete 8 Fusston - Koppel Obercl.-Hauptw.
- Svelle for Obercl.
- 3 spĂŠrreventiler.
- 3 kassebĂŠlge.
- Mekanisk traktur og registratur. SlĂžjfevindlader.