We made a visit to Aunty Mew in Germany a week before Christmas. It was a white pre-Christmas. On the first day, Aunty Mew made a delicious German beef goulash meal for us. She brought us to Erlangen town for a walk.
Julia and Leanne enjoyed some yummy ice-cream although it started snowing outside. It was funny listening to them converse as one speaks only English and the other would speak in German and Mandarin. However, they seem to understand each other pretty well.
There we bought a snow suit for Joshua as it was a little colder than we expected. After that, he was very much happier.
On the second day, we couldn't resist going to Nuremberg's famed Christmas market. The little huts were very pretty, especially when litted up in the evenings.
Aunty Mew introduced gluhwein to us, a kind of mulled wine made from blueberries instead of grapes. Lovely and warm! The wood crafts were really fine and delicate.
At Fussen, the temperature dropped to -20 degrees which was the coldest any of us had experienced. Leanne and Julia were both very excited to play in the snow.
At a nearby dam and waterfall with beautiful pine trees glistening in the sunlight. We were at the foot of Bavarian Alps.
Taking a walk in Fussen. We stopped by a cafe and had lovely German stollen. It was quite peaceful as two of the children were asleep and we could have a quiet moment.
Glad to be back in the warmth of the chalet after a day out in the cold. It had a stone fireplace and uncle Christoph kept the logs burning.
The kids played hide and seek and did lots of colouring.
The next day, aunty Mew and uncle Christoph brought us to Neuschwanstein Castle, also known as the beautiful Sleeping Beauty castle.
Leanne seems to be going through a Sleeping Beauty phase - she wanted a Sleeping Beauty story book last week and then a pair of Sleeping Beauty Princess boots.
Pictures cannot do justice to the magnificence of the castle, built by King Ludwig II.
The king who built this castle was talented and couldn't have chosen a sweeter spot for his romantic castle.
Due to the weather, we were not allowed to access a tiny foot bridge which would have a breathtaking view of the castle. Oh well, it gives us an excuse to come again. We could see it glowing at night from our chalet. There was a lake nearby, with crystal clear water. The girls were happy to feed the ducks and throw the odd snowball.
Opening pressies on Christmas Day. Thanks to all who have given pressies to Leanne and Joshua. By evening, Leanne asked me - why is Santa so late? He's not here yet. She had been waiting for him to arrive...
