"Oh, to be in Andernach again!" Andernach by Tahmara

Now and again we experience one of those serendipity moments, hours or experiences. For me...... that was Andernach .... never before heard of .... no idea of location , country or even if it existed....... twelve hours of "time out"

We had been travelling for four weeks on the continent, finding our way around Europe, taking a bed here or there, finding a meal when it suited, or living on just bread rolls and fruit! Money that should have gone into our bank account in Australia a few weeks earlier still hadn't arrived. We were on our way from Rushlikon in Switzerland to Amsterdam with only a few dollars. We had been assured that it had been attended to two days earlier so every now and than we went off the Autobahn to find a flexi teller and try and get some money .... no luck and we needed a bed for the night .... it had to be cheap.

I looked on the map to find a place close to the road but also near the Rhine. Andernach was on the Rhine and as well as being the closest place to the Autobahn .............and only about half an hour away. It sounded good!

Our first impression was dismal ... a scruffy industrial area. Not at all inviting but it had to do. Are we glad we continued!!!!! It was a lovely little town. We were about 613 km from the source of the river. We priced accomodation at a couple of places and then found one right across the road from the river .... and it was cheap!!!

The owner was a most severe and dour lady ... with no time for small talk and quite unhelpful until I responded to her comment that we shouldn't be drinking coffee after 7pm with a laugh and "You are being 'mother' to me" ....... Rather like the Bollwerk (bulwark) in the middle of the river , built to break up the ice flow and keep the river traffic moving, so my comment effected the hotelier. She couldn't do enough for us .... more than what was usually provided. It just reminded me how much difference a smile and a friendly comment could make.

We went off walking and made the biggest discovery of the whole trip. Not only was Andernach a pretty little town on the Rhine it was one of the most ancient, with remains of the walls that protected it in the days when it was a free imperial city. And by remains I don't mean rubble! Parts of those ancient walls were still in use: the most impressive part being the Round Tower where they stand some 56 metres high and are around 4metres thick. In these walls there are dwellings where people still live today. It was delightful to see those lace curtains hanging in the little windows and softening the harshness of the great walls .... to see the well worn steps leading to doors placed at uneven levels in the wall .... and to see how clean and neatly everthing was kept.

We also discovered that to the north there was an impressive and famous old river crane that had been in use right up to 1911......... the only one of its kind still standing.

To stroll by the river, to watch all sorts of river craft moving both up and downstream, to experience the gentle evening quietness as we watched the sun setting on the river was part of an experience I will never forget.

Unfortunately, after taking two photos I was out of film and there was no-where to buy another and the shops would not be open until after we had left in the morning. So please, if anyone has been to Andernach and has some photos they are willing to share with me .... you would make that delightful experience complete.

By the way ... the money was not accessible until we reached Sweden ........................ what a blessing that everything had been paid for in advance! I'll tell you about Sweden next time I write!