The morning of we got up early, backed a bag and met the coach bus at the base chapel.
We were initially a little disappointed because they had assigned seating and had put us in the seats directly behind the second door of the bus, so there weren't any seats in front of us. We were told the children could not sit in those seats and had to take the two which were behind them. So that meant that we couldn't split up 1 adult with 1 kid.
That being said the kids were great sitting behind us. They had their tablets and a few snacks which kept them occupied.
It was really nice relaxing the whole way (about 2 hours) instead of driving there. The seats were pretty comfy and the views out the window were really nice. The country side is so beautiful with dozens of vineyards and colorful fields. My favorite of which are the canola fields (where canola oil comes from). They are a bright brilliant yellow against rolling green hills and blue skies.
This little trip included a few hours in the town of Cochem to tour on our own before the castle tour.
We spent a few minutes in the Easter market and bought ourselves some fabulous crepes. One Nutella and the other a Kinder chocolate....oh so good.
Before heading out on the town the kids got their faces painted for 2 Euros each. Gavin went first and is so ticklish he just could not hold still! It was really funny and he giggled the entire time. He chose a spider web and orange spider. Bryton decided to go with a large cut in her face, complete with gaping stitched and dripping blood.
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| Spider faced knight |
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| A dark assassin... |
Once everyone was good and painted we headed across the Mosel river to the mustard factory!
Unfortunately we had missed the last tour by 30 minutes and the next tour was scheduled during our castle tour. Although we couldn't tour the factory we were able to taste test a dozen different mustards and jellies (which also had mustard in them....). We settled on two and bought them. They come in really awesome stone or ceramic basins and are good for two years so long as they are not refrigerated.
I somehow did not take any pictures of the mustard tastings...oh well.
Touring the city was a lot of fun. It was all cobble stone with dozens and dozens of shops, bakeries, cafes, and little street vendors. So upon seeing a bratwurst and brötchen stand we of course had to stop. We are definitely fans of brats on buns with mustard.
Making our way up the town we stopped at a little cafe for some hydration and some relaxation. The entire town on the castle-side of the river was all uphill leading to the castle. The rest was much needed.
And the kids we allowed to pick out some chocolates as well. It turns out that 8 out of 10 were filled with alcohol! haha I'm glad the lady behind the counter told us before!
We stopped at two more gift shops before we made our way to the castle where Gavin found an airplane, Bryton found a miniature hand crank music box which plays 'Only You', Jason found a great KEEP OUT sign for our house decor, and I made out with some awesome clown letters to spell my name!
The hike to the castle was long and steep, and of course Gavin had to pee when there was no Toilette to be found. So being in dire need I walked Gavin around the back of a closed restaurant and had him pee in the corner of a wall....ah, yes, I'm not going to miss the 'public urination' stage of raising my boy.
Before the tour started the kids had fun running around in their costumes and playing with the other children dressed as knight and princesses.
The tour was pretty cool. We were able to go the the dungeon and torture chamber complete with skeletons and ghosts.
Bryton took a ride in the spinning cage for women to be publicly humiliated for petty crimes. After that Jason, Bryton and I all took turns in the Pillory. It just so happened that when I was in there the rest of the tour group and guide emerged from the dungeon and I was made an example of by the tour guide! Good times...
After touring the princess's room, treasure room, and looking down into the pits, we went over to the dining hall where we were served chicken and rolls. Now we weren't given any forks or knives so we had to eat with our hands. This would have been fine but, wholly smokes the chicken was incredibly hot! Delicious, but very very very hot.
Gavin killed half of his roll, which was about the size of his head and his entire chicken leg which was also really huge. And then, he was asleep.
I will miss the 'falling asleep anywhere' stage of raising my kids.
He's still so little and he was asleep so I carried my little man the whole way back down to the buses.
The ride home was just as nice as the way there. The kids were great and it was very relaxing. I even managed to put all the pictures together.
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