Trechtingshausen and Rudesheim

Mum and Dad came to Germany while I was there. Mum had never been out of Britain because she had no passport – that’s another story.

There was a decision to head towards Frankfurt because Mum had wanted to go on a boat ride. Dad would be almost certain to be happy to see all the Schlossen (castles) that line the River Rhein so – two birds, one stone.

On the way down from the Dutch/German border we hit traffic some way North of Frankfurt. Nothing too serious but things were definitely slow. On a lighter note, a lorry came alongside with a photograph of Linda Lusardi* decorating the rear cab window; this brightened up a dull moment in traffic!

Another decision: Stop for lunch. Let the traffic go.

Pulled in at a place called Trechtingshausen where there was a small café. Walking into the café a gentleman who was on the way out mentioned to me that eating outside was for tourists, it is cheaper to eat inside.

We sat at a table that was close to the railway tracks. The waitress gave us a ‘Speisekarte’ (menu) each that only I could read. I tried to translate but ended up asking for the ‘Tagesmenu’ (the dish of the day). 

The Germans do not do normal tea, only fruit and mint flavoured tea so it had to be coffee. Coffee is something that the Germans excel at making.

A train went past every ten minutes, or so, causing the table to vibrate and Mum to chuckle.

“Should we need to hang on to the plates?” Mum asked.

Soup arrived. Delicious. Mum began gathering her bags.

“Where are you going, Mum?” I asked her.

She thought that was the meal.

Then the round flat pasta arrived with goulash and salad.

Also delicious.

Dad could not understand having salad with a hot meal but enjoyed it anyway.

Mum started gathering her bags again.

Dessert arrived. Fruit pie and ice cream.

Magnificent.

It was also cheap. I liked that part.

We did not have to hang on to the plates but the regular rumbling of rail traffic was entertaining.

So we progressed towards Frankfurt but only got as far as Rudesheim because it was getting late.

In the bar of the guesthouse – Dad had been previously warned about the strength of German beer, a large quantity of ‘Alt’, a dark brown beer, was consumed.

A couple of the locals spoke a little English. The Landlord asked Dad if he had been to Germany before. Dad explained that he had, indeed, visited but he had been at ten thousand feet and there were no lights below.

Laughter and an occasion to be celebrated with more ‘Alt’!

We left Dad in the bar and went to bed.

The next morning there was the Ruedesheim Denkmal to be visited courtesy of the seilbahn (cablecar) that was the same one that had been used in the film ‘GI Blues’ so Mum was taken with the idea that her bum was occupying the same spot as Elvis Presley’s!

Rudesheim Denkmal

Cable Car over the Vineyards at Rudesheim

The following day they boarded the KD (KD = Koln - Dusseldorfer) ferry to go up to Cologne while I drove up the Rhein to meet them there hoping that the ‘Rheinmaidens’ would not ambush them en route.

KD Ferry at Rudesheim

Sunny day, wonderful views, magical castles and good eating.

Drove back along the Mosel River through the icy Eifel mountains. More magnificent scenery.

A mini adventure that Mum remembered years later while she was living here, in Malaysia, with us.

But they never made it to Frankfurt.

*Linda Lusardi: A 'Page Three' girl of the time.