Munich's past is not all beer and bretzels (Pretzels)

Our first stop today was at Asam's Church on Sendlinger Str. close to our accommodation, squeezed between some shops. At first, we weren't going to go in but from past experiences, it is these little churches that can be the most impressive, and this one didn't disappoint.

I would like to assume most people would have an understanding of WWI and WWII. Katie and I too, believe we do have a well-grounded understanding of the events leading to these horrific wars.  Whilst in Munich we decided to visit NS-Dokumentationszentrum, basically, a museum dedicated to the events leading to the formation of National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi) and how they influenced the people of Munich Germany and two world wars. 

It understandably is a very sombre place and provided us with more than enough of an insight into this shocking time in Munich's past. 

We then walked around the general area and found a pub for lunch, providing another opportunity to sample Munich's beer.

We then returned to the city centre and stumbled upon Chocolaterie Beluga where Katie had a Caffe Latte and brownie whilst I opted for a Hot Chocolate.  When we ordered the waiter advised I would have to go inside to select my hot chocolate, as they have 30 flavours. Taken back a little I followed him into the pokey little store where he displayed his wares. 

Firstly the hot chocolate is made with hot milk, then a large cube of chocolate with a spoon stuck into it is stirred and the chocolate dissolves. Their selection covers both dark and milk chocolate and then there are some with little plastic additions like whiskey or baileys. 

I opted for the dark chocolate with a wee shot of whiskey. See the video below.

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There is always time for culture and beer

Starting later today as we are expecting to be out on the town for New Year's Eve, breakfast was as usual in the B&B.

After crossing town Katie and I made our way into the impressive Cuvilliés-Theatre for the matinee festive performance.

Before the concert even started we were amazed by the beauty of the
theatre.

In this case, we selected pricier tickets and we got a semi-private booth up in the lofty heights of the theatre.

The concert was amazing and we followed the music along with the program handed to us on entry, or we thought we did.

It was when we went to the cloakroom to collect our coats that we were informed that we had only seen part one of two parts, we were having an intermission!
A little embarrassed we stopped for a drink and then headed back to our seats. In all, the concert went for a little over two hours.

Here is a couple of snippets from the concert.

After the concert, we walked through Hoff Garden and visited the war memorial, a fairly uncommon sight in German towns.

From here it was a short walk to the edge of English Garden to see Eisbachwelle where the locals can get their surfing fix. It is here that the river reappears after transversing under the city. engineering methods have created a surflike wave and locals queue in all weather to have a chance of surfing.

 The afternoon was spent having a little lunch and dropping in on Frauenkirche.

After a few hours resting in our B&B, we were off again to Augustiner-Keller a beer hall famous for its outdoor garden and Bavarian dishes.  I was not expecting much of a meal but thankfully both Katie and I were pleasantly surprised, it was much better than expected.
We got to the hall around 6:30pm and started our meal, along with a beer each. By 7pm it had started to fill and by 7:30 all tables were seated, by now also the band had started playing, mostly English tracks with some Bavarian accordion between.

And a snippet from the beer hall.

Around 9:30 we were feeling uncomfortably hot and as we had finished our meal decided to depart and return to the B&B for some R&R before the fireworks spectacular in MarienPlatz at midnight.

Happy 2018 to all from Katie and Shannon

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I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.

Last night we attended the Christingle  Service at St Mary's Church in East Molesey with our cousins Lynanne and Yazmin. This service runs every Christmas Eve and is split over two separate services as the church is packed.

We were presented with Mulled wine and
mince tarts. The children were all presented with a Christingle which is an orange that symbolises
Christ and has lollies stuck into it along with a candle.

We managed to get a seat close to the front, unaware of what to expect I was slightly surprised when a man comes up to me and asked me to do a favour. Unwearyingly I said yes as he went on to explain my duties, fire warden!

In the corner close to my seat was a bucket filled with cloths that if in the event I see a child on fire I am to get the bucket and throw it over the child.  Thankfully no child did
catch alight throughout the ceremony and I was not needed to perform my fire warden duties.

Yazmin and her Christingle

Katie leaving the Church

We ended the evening with a meal at a local pub and then returning to see the process of presents being placed under the tree. 

We have dreamt of a white Christmas for the past few months and this morning we were presented with

clouds, a little wind and patches of rain but no snow.

Christmas morning started with a bacon sandwich and then the present opening.  

Lunch was just lovely and much credit should be given to Norma and her helpers for the fantastic feast.

Ross and Yazmin

Jamie and Norma

Stewart, Tony and Lynanne 

It would appear that for one of the helpers, it may have been a little too much!

It was over after not too long and he was back to it with the ceremonial duties of lighting the Christmas pudding, Well done Jamie.

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