Long Weekend

With a forecast for very cold and wet conditions over Germany and most of Europe, our much anticipated 4-day weekend wasn't going to involve travelling to exotic/romantic/far flung locations.

On Thursday, with our North Carolina friends, Penni and Paul, we wandered around the Schloss Schleissheim gardens between rain showers and then went for a long lunch/dinner at Zum Kreuzhof, our favorite local, real German restaurant.

Weatherwise, Friday was definitely a museum day. There is an embarrassment of choice of museums in and around Munich. Together with kiwi Deb, we decided on the Pinakothek der Moderne which has a collection of 20th century art and design housed in an impressive recently purpose-built gallery.

We particularly liked the displays of the evolution of the personal computer, French mass produced bentwood furniture and the architectural models.

Unfortunately, we now have to admit to being officially Philistines, as the main exhibition of a particularly famous German artist did not appeal to us at all. We all three agreed that he needed serious therapy or else his paintings were his therapy. He certainly needed to get some very nasty things out of his system.

Looking for a snack for lunch, we found a little Italian bistro on Maximilain Platz where we each ordered a pasta and a red wine. We had not counted on the complimentary antipastos before and mini tiramisus and delicate and deadly chocolate confections after, as well as a rather entertaining waiter from Salerno. So much for the idea of a snack.  Then off to dinner with Greg and Ayelet for an excellent Israeli feast.  Ayelet's blog is where we keep getting great ideas of where to visit.

Saturday we went with Penni and Paul to the Weinfest at Blutenburg castle - idyllic surroundings, very nice wines and rain. We took the train.

Sunday morning we went for a long bike ride in less than ideal conditions. The afternoon was spent working and then a pizza dinner with Craig and Sophie who had just arrived back from Vienna.