After our first cosy night in Tigín and a lazy Sunday morning breakfast, we set out to explore the nearby area of Wildbad and along the Tauber River. After an earthquake in 1356 a spring gushed up from below what was then a hospital and the area became a Spa Complex, with the sulphur rich waters thought to have healing properties. I don’t know about the qualities of the water but this tranquil haven of nature and architecture was balm for my soul. You drop steeply down from the busy main road above through a stone pavilion, via worn stone steps to a turreted building which is now a convention centre, then through the gardens, where signs of Spring abound to the river and beyond. 

The day was cold but the climb back out of the valley and up into the old town was perfect to warm us and work up an appetite so we found a little cafe and ordered some coffees and a couple of Schneeballen a local pastry, which consists of deep fried short crust pastry with different coatings, we chose their vegan chocolate and also a cinnamon sugar option, both were delicious but quite rich and filling. It was time to head back to Tigín and for Hubby to set up his mobile office as he would be teaching this week, from the comfort of our “dining area”. It was days like this than I imagined in the time while we waited for Tigín to arrive.

On Monday I had hoped to venture out to explore some more of the town, but we were experiencing an unexpected camper first for us, ‘range anxiety’. How long will our gas cylinder last, especially as it provides our heating. How much will we need in coin to continue to feed the electric meter and will hubby have enough internet bandwidth to run his training course. So instead of sightseeing I set out on a reconnaissance mission. First to the bank to get coins, then to the local hardware to see if they sell gas cylinders and a means to haul it, these things are heavy. Finally to the supermarket to stock up for the next few days. Meanwhile hubby’s training got underway, thankfully without a hitch.

With range anxiety soothed somewhat, I did get out to explore. Most days were bitterly cold, we even had a number of snow flurries but on Tuesday the sun shone and I walked the old covered city walls from tower to tower, I visited the market square and marvelled at the old world architecture, each snap shot like an image from a fairy tale storybook. Rothenburg ob der Tauber is definitely worth a visit if you ever find yourself in this part of the world. And although the weather was sub-optimal at this time of the year, there is something about exploring the side streets and alleyways and having the whole place to yourself.

The take away lesson from the past few days: I would have considered myself fairly energy conscious even more especially in recent times of rising costs. But nothing quite focuses ones mind than finite resources and having to feed a meter for power, or monitor the level of your gas cylinders, having to empty waste water when your tank is full and go out and haul fresh water as the need arises. I’m definitely more conscious of leaving the lights on, or letting the tap run when brushing my teeth etc.

Coming in the next blog, we relocate to Mannheim, visit a model train expo and explore what has up to now been a train stop on the way to the airport for me.