Beilstein Day 1

Too busy yesterday to write after we arrived.  Take a look at the photos and you will understand why!  The whole town is just what you see on the photos, a few hotels that all have restaurants, one little shop, one bus stop and one mailbox.  There is a ferry that will take pedestrians, bikes and cars across the river and well, then there are the swans.

One particular swan has her nest outside our hotel, the town has put up a barrier so no one bothers here.  She does pose for photos - and I was lucky enough to see her eggs.  You can see them communicate with one another.  Daddy swan had been across the river all day - then at sunset she started craning her neck and apparently calling him - he jumped in the water and swam over.  He let her take a swim and get settled back on the eggs - he chased away an intrusive dog.  Most folks have their dogs on leash, these folks had been in our restaurant and let their dog loose - they laughed, thought it was funny that Daddy swan had to get up, flap his wings and honk loudly to scare the dog.  We didn't like those people.  David at our hotel  said there will be baby swans in 2-3 weeks - long time to sit on eggs!!

As with the other family places we have stayed at, the same family members work night and day in the restaurant and hotel.  David, our host, told us his mother owns the hotel.  Pretty much all the hotels here are named Lipmann something or other, we are staying in the big one on the river, Haus Lipmann which was built in 1727.


Most people come here to hike or ride bikes - you can even rent bikes here.  We are a bit too lazy (or old and tired) for all that activity.  A ride in the car is always nice!


Rain was predicted but now has been cancelled, the sun is starting to come out.  If I can get Jim and his Kindle off the balcony before dinner (we just had breakfast!), we will take a ride along the river, or perhaps across the river on the ferry to ride down the other side.  Original plans were to visit Burg Eltz, a castle nearby.  It is a castle that Rick says is his favorite in all of Europe.  We know that the outside is in scaffolding for renovation, and we also know castles mean many steps and much walking straight uphill.  We have decided to skip it!

It is the Moselle River by the way (if you are in France); here in Germany it is the Mosel - so I have spelled it different ways.  After a bit one starts thinking in the other language - knodel instead of dumpling, etc.  Kuchen instead of cake.

Speaking of food, David told us he would reserve the same table for us tonight out on the terrace.  So, our plans for dinner are in place!