Church bells ring long and loud on Sunday mornings in Broggingen. Anita Schnaiter promised to take us to services but, when we left the house, she turned not toward the church but led us back to the festival. Turns out, God likes a good time as well so during this time church services go to where the action is.
B53 WHERE’S THE BRATWURST?
Categories: Beer festival, Broggingen, Germany
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B52 EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF FESTIVAL IS IT?
The whole village seemed excited about the opening of the semi-annual festival in Broggingen. The first beer barrel tap wouldn’t be driven until 6 PM so that left a lot of time to ponder. “Exactly what is a Stockbrunnenfest,” I asked our host, Wolfgang Schnaiter.
“The Stockbrunnen is the name of our water fountain at the end of the street,” he responded.
“Is there anything special about this fountain,” I asked.
“No, not really,” he replied, “But we honor it as the source of our water.”
“So, there’s a ceremony?” I asked.
“No,” he responded. “We just crack open a keg of beer and start drinking.”
Deciding to shelve further investigation until later, I asked Anita to show us something of the area around Broggingen.
She immediately took us to the hills surrounding their low-lying village. They’re covered with vineyards although there are some odd empty patches mixed in. “These vines belong to individuals in the village,” she said. “Almost everyone has a patch to grow grapes.” When I asked about the vacant patch next to her she said, “Some people grow too old to care for their vines and just clear their land.” When I asked what happens when the grapes ripen she said, “We care for them until they’re ready and then give them to my brother to make wine. The grape prices from the wineries are so low we don’t even bother to sell them anymore,” she said. “Besides, his wines taste better because they’re free.” Read more
Categories: Beer festival, Broggingen, Germany, MG at beer festival
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B51 AFTER TWO BEERS TRY TO SAY BROGGINGEN
We pulled into Broggingen just in time for dinner. All in all, I think this is a good time to arrive at an unfamiliar destination. Sure, these are Louise’s relatives but we didn’t know them from Adam and Eva. Arriving at dinnertime focuses everyone’s attention on the basics and you can begin scouting them out at the table between bites of wienerschnitzel. If you have any misgivings you can start making your early departure excuses right there. We found out, right away, we wouldn’t have to make such plans.
Categories: Broggingen, Germany
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B50 WORKING ON PLAN B
When we left the Best Western Hotel in Karlshrue, Germany Mlle. Recalculaire began spewing instructions to the autobahn that would take us to today’s destination, Broggingen. Surprising because she usually chose the most circuitous route out of town causing us to dart down narrow alleys and thread through crowded farmer’s markets. “I don’t want to go on the autobahn,” said my bride. I couldn’t argue. Yesterday the roadway was inundated by noisy, heavy trucks and oversaturated with cars driven at their full capacity. “Let’s take the scenic route along the Rhine River,” she suggested.
It was a good choice. Two lane roads and roundabouts be damned, we were going to enjoy today. It also promised an opportunity to finally address the heavy question of Plan B. What to do if the MG doesn’t sell? The decision to find the “right” new owner for our car in Europe wasn’t made lightly. “What if we can’t sell it?” I asked of car guys in the States. The opinions went from, “Oh, they’ll fall all over you with open checkbooks,” to the more pessimistic, “What’re you going to do if no one wants it?” We are two months into our 2 ½ month trip are we’re closer to the latter than former. No matter how distasteful, it is time to consider a Plan B. Read more
Categories: Broggingen, Germany, Izzenheim, Nurburgring
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B49 IN SEARCH OF AFN
We said our final goodbyes to Marlies and Benny Brown and headed down the highway that hugs the Mosel River. Benny’s mechanic said the leaking water pump shouldn’t be a problem as long as we monitored the water level. Following the Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared,” we packed on enough water to be mistaken for a Sparklettes bottled water truck.
Our short term goal was to reach Coleman Barracks just outside Mannheim, Germany, the new home of the AFN Radio and Television network. The strategy was to drive the autobahn until the water temperature rose to hot; stop for cooling off and replenishment and hit the slow lane again.
This stop-and-go approach bit quite heavily into our travel time and it was quite late when we pulled up to the guard shack at Coleman. I put on my genuine AFN ballcap, (thanks Judy Boysha) and approached the guards with an air of confidence. “No way, sir,” was the response. “You gotta have somebody from AFN vouch for you.” I spoke with an AFN civilian technician named Lance Milsted who said, “It’s almost 5 o’clock sir and I’m the last one here. Can you come back tomorrow?” I explained our situation but to no avail. We were going to have to shelve AFN. I was thanking the guards when the phone rang. It was Lance saying, “Stay where you are. I’m comin’ to get you.” Read more
Categories: AFN Radio & Television, Germany, Mannheim
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