Poland and Pottery

The highway to Poland was pretty much like everywhere else we had been, except Italy. Cold and cloudy, but this was a 4 hour drive.

 And as usual little David was our best traveler.

 The homes and most buildings were pretty much like in the Czeck Republic, tired and in need of repair. Communism has not been kind to these countries.

This is the first pottery outlet we visited at the outskirts of the city of Boleslawiec, Poland. I didn't know how to spell it but Viv reminded me that it was printed on the bottom of each of the pieces of pottery we brought home.

 As you can see, we had a lot to choose from.

 In every "turn about" in the city there were large pottery items. Obviously this a large part of their economy.

Although nothing like Germany, in the main part of the city the buildings were in better shape than most of the buildings in the outskirts and countryside. Here we were driving around looking for another pottery outlet.

 Here is the outlet by one of the factories or where the pottery is made.

 The selection was larger and better. Viv and Tera are paying for their selections. We got some nice pieces.

 We stopped for lunch at this little restaurant.

 Our drinks came first.  I had Tomato juice and an Orange Float. Erick had some kind of soda. David had the bottle, and I don't remember what the girls had.

 Erick and I had Cordon-bleu, and Viv and Tera had a kind of potato and cheese stuffed Ravioli, and David had his bottle.

 After lunch we went looking for another pottery outlet. As we were driving along we saw this very long looking Train bridge. (I think that's what it was)

 But a real strange thing was this large pipe running along the ground and when it came to a driveway it just went up and over it.

 Our last pottery shop. We found some more beautiful designs.  Viv is having too much fun.

 Here we are on our way home to Weiden. There were some large areas of empty land. It may have been farm land but the snow made it difficult to tell.

 The sun starts to go down on our way back.

 One of the cities we passed on our way.

This was our last outing while we were at Tera's and Erick's. I have to pinch myself to make sure we really, actually had this great experience. Tera and her family were wonderful to us. We had a whole floor of their home to ourselves, our own bathroom and lots of room. They were willing to take us anywhere we wanted to go. It was fun to visit Erick's office. He has a lot of responsiblity and seems to loves it and do it well. The kids love their Dad and they have fun together. Tera and the kids do well and have lots of fun too. Viv went to the kids school with Tera. I hope in my dementia I don't forget any of what we experienced, but as I look at the pictures, I see things I have already forgotten. The pictures will help me to remember this most wonderful vacation. Thanks Tera and Erick.

Prague Czech Republic

This was from the hood of Ericks car. We rode to Prague in style. I think he said it was a 1992. 

One of the streets as we were driving into Prague. The buildings look worn and in need of cleaning compared to everywhere else we have been.

This is the way little David was to travel around Prague all day.  Always happy.

This old church had this clock. From the windows above the clock, as the clock struck each hour, these figures would apear. Several figures would pass by the windows each hour.

Typical street in Prague.

These nativity figures were each made of what looked like hemp rope.

On St. Charles bridge. I wish we had taken a photo of the bridge from a distance. It is very impressive. Behind us you can see the "castle" on the highest part of the city.

A view from the bridge looking down the river.

Here we are looking up the river.

Standing on the bridge. Notice over Viv's shoulder you can see a band playing.  There were a lot of venders on the bridge selling mostly art.

This is the public transportation here.

 This was one of the last photos taken before dark and going back to the car.  We are on the heights overlooking the city.  We are facing the "castle" which seems to be some kind of government buildings.

 Viv wanted her picture taken with this guard at the gate of the "Castle."

Me and Viv coming down the street from the "Castle" after it started becoming dark.

Over looking Prague from the heights where the "Castle" is when it was getting dark.  This is really a beautiful city.

Some of Tera's and Erick's neighbors took the three older kids and little David was so good we pressed our luck and spent all day in this amazing city. Next we go to Poland.

Rothenburg (I Think)

I'm back in Washington looking at my pictures and having a hard time remembering where I left off and what happened next in Germany.  I think it was the day after Christmas after Church we headed for Rothenburg

which was not too far from Tera's.  I think Erick said it was 30 to 45 minutes away.  There are several Rothenburgs in Germany so Tera gave me the full name which is Rothenburg Ob Der Tauber which means it is the one over the Tauber River.

When we first drove up to the wall surrounding the old city, this is what we saw from the parking lot.

This is the doorway we took into the city.

 This wall surrounds the city.

This is taken from on the walkway that surrounds the city.  The steps up to the wall were snow covered but fortunately the walkway is covered.  Note the houses inside the city. More of them later.

 This plaque inbedded in the wall of this building has the dates 1706 and 1725.

 The church on this street that we pass through, has some scafolding up for some kind of work being done.

 On this street we will pass through an archway that goes through the tower you see far down the street.

 And there were several other archways we went through.

 Another plaque on the wall of another building.

 It snowed most of the time and was way cold.  Viv and Joey are wrapped for the ocassion.

 Here the outer wall turns a corner.  Inside this part of the wall includes some armaments. Tera, Joey and I are inside the wall and Viv and David are outside waiting for us.

 One of the cannons inside the wall.

 Tera, a few windows away from me inside the wall took a picture of me looking out, so I took one of her.

 Viv, Joey and Tera heading back to the car where Erick and some other very cold kids are waiting.

 Joey was able to stay warm enough to stay with us thanks in part to her Mom's hood from her coat.

 Tera and I went up into the wall on the way back to the car.

 As you can see it is getting dark as we look out over the city.  So we headed back to Weiden.

Next trip will be to Prague in the Czeck Republic.  Erick says it is the most picturesque city they have visited.

Is that possible?

You may want to start reading this blog site from the bottom. There are several posts.