Norby and Elisabeth offered us a visit to Munster. Although completely bombed during the war – it has been restored and is absolutely beautiful. It is a university town with 40 000 students. It also has the most bicycles and stats say there are 2 bicycles to 1 person within the town. This town is Predominantly Catholic and is in the Westfalen area which celebrated a catholic holiday. All shops were closed but a few cafes and the museum. On the drive Munster the roads were incredibly busy in the opposite direction as everyone was heading into Neerde Saxony (where were staying) to do shopping as it is a protestant area and did not share the same holiday.
After a little walk we hopped on to the tour bus and had a very informative drive giving us a good overvue of the city. The best part being the main road in the town centre which has a unbelievably wide road with neo Gothic shop fronts and colonnades. The cathedral that forms part of this space dates back to 800AC. From the top of it hangs 3 cages which used to display the remains of enemy's and the bones apparently could be seen for decades.
We stopped and had rhubarb tart and tea in a beautiful Warme Bakke's off the cobbled streets. As it was a public holiday, the German flags were flying proudly from the old buildings, creating an even more ancient town setting.
We visited the Graphikmuseum Pablo Picasso Munster which had a very large collection of Jean Miro, Picasso and many others.
We arrived back at the Wirtz house around 17h00. Elizabeth went on to make us the most delicious soup that Amy and I had ever eaten. Being a nursing sister and having a very extensive herb garden, only fresh ingredients were used.
We had barely finished eating when the horde of neighbours came bashing through garage entrance as it was time to hang up the Golden flowers and the Gorgen (pine rope) in front of the Hollermans house. Once again it was a case of “all hands on deck” or at least one, the other you needed free to hold your beer or schnapps.
The men worked very hard to hang the Gorgen then the woman's work began as they needed to decorate it with the golden flowers.
It took about an hour or so then we went into the back garden and enjoyed a lovely evening laughing and trying our best to avoid a “Karter” (big head) the next morning.
Schnapps! Prost!
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