5th September 2011 - Wintrich, Mosel

Maybe it’s not fair to judge on an overcast Sunday afternoon, but our first impression of the Mosel is one of disappointment. Arrived early afternoon, after a very easy drive. Headed for Wintrich because we didn’t know how full the Stellplaetze would be by that time of day, and Wintrich has a nice, big, shiny new one. 8 Euros including electric for a large pitch facing onto grass and overlooking the river. Our neighbours are almost exclusively Dutch a change from Bavaria where most were German.

Sunday, so the village was dead. Went for a bike ride along the river to see what the other villages were like. After Bavaria, the whole atmosphere seems dull. The house are not so spick and span, the gardens not so well-tended and full of flowers, even the people are not so cheerful-looking and well-dressed. The south is the most prosperous area of Germany, so maybe that accounts for some of it. G said ‘The best way I can describe it is that I’ve seen nothing yet that I want to photograph.’ We do have to take some photos though, so he took a picture of some of the grapes on the vines beside the cycle path.

Sunday evening, so difficult to find anywhere to eat. Ended up in a locals’ type place – wife acting as waitress/barmaid, husband struggling single-handedly in kitchen with Sunday night rush. Had Federweisser – can’t remember the last time I had some – maybe when I was a student - and that's a long time ago. Waited ages for food, but it was worth it – home-cooking style, very hot and fresh. Went back to van and sat out with our drinks in warm evening air, listening to crickets singing in trees. Maybe the Mosel was beginning to grow on us.