Yesterday's picnic

Yesterday's picnic turned out to be much more than what we were expecting.

The day started with a 30-minute drive into the countryside where we parked near a small village and then began a trek through the village streets, and the surrounding forests and farmlands. Eventually we came over a rise and Leo pointed out the steeple of a church and the tower battlements of a very large castle in the distance. He explained that the castle was our destination and there another of my cousins (Anya) and her family, who live in Berlin, were going to meet us and join us for the castle tour and picnic.

The weather was bright and sunny, the best we've seen on our whole vacation. The Gnandstein Castle
provided an awesome view from the tower, a reward for climbing a seemingly endless spiral staircase. Also, we went through the museum part of the castle and the many rooms that were furnished with exhibits of paintings, needlework, pottery, furniture, clothing, etc.

The hike and castle tour had awakened our appetites. Another trek through the farm fields led us to our picnic spot. We spread out cloths and contents of picnic baskets on a grassy embankment overlooking the village. Our feast gave us fuel for the hike back to where we had parked the car. The summerlike weather called for a stop in a small village on the drive home to treat ourselves to "Eis" (ice cream).

After resting at home and feasting on another of Gabriele's delicious home-cooked meals, the evening plans led us back into the city for a music concert. Two very talented pianists performed "jazz" music, which could be described as experimental--many sounds I never would have imagined that could come from a piano. But, it's a type of music that Leo and Gabriele enjoy, and as Leo explains, it is the best form of art because it makes you use your own imagination.

The rainy weather has returned for today. That does not prevent the planned outdoor activities. The usual Sunday activity for the family here is to ride bikes if the weather is good, but, if not, then umbrellas are called for and the activity will be walking somewhere to enjoy the outdoors.

Umbrellas are ready and we are heading out to enjoy another day in Leipzig.