Zülpich daytripping again

The view from my window this morning (closer to midday actually due to going to bed at 5:30 am - I blame Rob)

and actually it's the view from the castle window ... whatever.

We started the day late with a fantastic fry-up this time from breakfast chef Rob. This gave us the energy we needed to head out on Zülpich daytrip number two.

Nideggen

In the Eifel hills of the northern Rhine area in Germany, this town is known for it's ruined castle that has been there since 1177.

Just outside the ancient wall you can see a modern innovation for book lovers, there's a lot of these little book sharing booths in this area - so clever.

This is St Johannis der Täufer that you can visit on the way up to the church.

beautiful inside

and comes complete with a beautifuly preserved example of an ancient hubcap salesman

on a more serious note the fresco in the sanctuary dates back to the 12th century.

These guys were moved from the sanctuary in 1313 because their sarcophagus was being damaged by all the people walking on them, ouch!

The castle is just a shell in most places

but the keep (below) has been restored and includes a museum. 

The way out of the museum is down a scarily narrow circular staircase that got gradually narrower and lower so at one point we thought my 6' tall husband might have to go back up the stairs ... backwards 

(nowhere to turn around)  

had cake lunch in this darling oh-so-German cafe and then headed out to sight no. 2

for some glorious views of the .... dam (I can't remember the name I'll get back to you)

We're so blessed by our local tour guides for the history and scenic tour, which would have been enough but they followed up with a gourmet meal of pasta and gorgeous porcini and chanterelle mushrooms to finish the day with aplomb.

& before they add comment just let me get in first to admit that I had seconds ... ALL the seconds .