Easter can begin

Luckily for us, son J's flight from Stanstead gets in to Memmingen at 10:00 am so we can use make use of most of the day even if he is reeling from getting up at 3:00 am. Gatwick would be just up the road for him but he kindly agrees to make the trip around London so that we don't have the hassle of picking him up on the other side of Munich. Apart from that he does enjoy the "simple" atmosphere of Memmingen International Airport.

I quickly went first to the animal rescue center in Memmingen with a couple of buckets of lamb bones. We had been given a whole pile by the local butcher and friend Michael who works at the cente, thought the dogs might enjoy having something to occupy themselves with as most of the voluntary dog walkers won't be coming today (Good Friday).

Then off to the airport a few minutes ahead of scheduled landing time and took up position on the edge of a field alongside the runway. Scheduled arrival time went by but with the recent weather, bound to be delays. 10 mins, 15 mins, 20 mins go by and then suddenly  a Ryanair appears, taxiing for take off!?!?

Rather unsure, I take off for the terminal and sure enough see J sitting in the car park waiting. They had arrived early no doubt with a helping tail wind from the systems causing our recent storms, Was only a few minutes wait he said!

Off home for breakfast and then J & I set off for Munich. I had planned a simple visit to the Andechs Monastery south of Munich but found out on the internet it was closed today (Good Friday). Well the monastery/church as such wasn't closed but the "hospitality" as the website calls it, was. We did pull off the motorway at the Ammer Lake where the monastery is located to see packed shore of visitors walking around the beer gardens and waiting for trips on the steamers.

However we didn't stop and pilgrimed further. Easily found a parking space in central Munich and then walked around the pedestrian/central area - from "Stachus", past MrB's hunting & fishing museum which is housed in a former monastery, to the town hall with its "Glockenspiel", through "Tal" to the Hofbräuhaus. A quick spin around the interior which was very loud despite the ban on the traditional loud music from Thursday evening until Sunday Morning. Good Friday/Saturday are the so called "Quiet Days" where "entertainment" is banned's, including discos, concerts, theatre.

Didn't have a drink but went back to the town hall and had a beer in their cellar. Mainly a wine & somewhat classier location, it was at least quieter even if the beer choice was very limited and expensive. A Bavarian will agree to drink Löwenbräu if the only alternative is Prussian beer.

Back to car, and off to  Angie' s office which is next to the Augustiner Brewery Cellar and Beergarden. The weather was so beautiful that a small part of the beer garden had been opened to cover some of the demand for outdoor service. In season it has 5000 seats in the beer garden and is Munich second biggest. Augustiner Brewery is Munich's oldest.

Past my, and Blip friend Nogbads old office just as a text message came through from him saying J should have a beer for him. Clever Nigel to know I would be driving and clever J for already having downed the beer.

Spin past the Oktoberfest site and then a short walk around Munich's "Versailles", Nymphenburg Castle. Gardens obviously not yet in bloom but with the weather it was still very nice. Two sets of wedding pairs in full white flowing dresses. Looked as though it may be some form of middle/near east religious background. Can't think it would be "straight" christian on Good Friday.

Then home and Angie waiting for us with a cooked dinner, including Swabian "Spaetzle", an flour/water/egg accompaniement which J loved and is determined to include in his home cooking.

Relaxed evening around the fire as it was turning cool but to bed early ready for an action packed day.