Friday 29th September 2023

Kayserberg and Detour to Beblenheim

A weird experience, it’s 800 and not even out of bed – this must be what a proper tourist feels like.

A good hotel, but pretty measly breakfast offering , which was of no concern today when the rest of day was to be a culinary experience. Met a few Aussies in dining room who were doing a similar walk to ours in reverse, but with a few less hills.

First part of day was a general walk around town followed by a tour of the Albert Schweitzer Museum. He was born and lived in this town as a young man.

What an amazing human being, with degrees in Theology, Philosophy and Medicine and a survivor of two World Wars, including incarceration in prison camps, plus his Nobel Peace Prize.

His life story was well depicted in the Museum, his humanitarian work in Gabon where he set up a hospital for the underprivileged was amazing.

It is a shame his general philosophy on peace , kindness and selflessness was not embraced more in todays society.

These statements below from Martin Luther King and Barrack Obama says it all.

We wandered around a bit more and it was interesting that the very limited parking was on a PAYG basis- seems they try to preserve the cultural image of villages by keeping cars on the outskirts of town.

After a little bit of shopping we took the ‘surge price’ taxi to our luncheon engagement at the Restaurant a l’Agneau Blanc (The White Lamb) about 8kms away in Beblenheim.

It was recommended by our mate Tony Simon. When I mention his name to the owner and showed her a picture of when he ate here recently, she rolled her head back and said ‘ ahh I do remember them and the thoughts of talking about my crazy time in Australia as a young woman”.

We ate out in a garden terrace and enjoyed a game based menu of wild boar pate and deer stew. Both dishes were absolutely delicious, which belied their rustic appearance. A very different chocolate Vermicelli dessert finished off the food. On the liquid side we enjoyed a cherry aperitif , local Pinot Noir and a coffee sans whisky and cream – aka an Irish.

Sat and chatted with owner for a while taking in a few sightseeing tips and explicit instructions to deliver hugs and kisses to Tony- not sure if it was his boyish charm or extravagance that won her over.

A bit more of a wander around town before being picked up by our taxi driver and her co driver, a little Bichon cross Maltese, who was very reminiscent of Anna and James mutt at home.

The noticeable thing up until today, was a lack of kids, this changed when we passed several schools and also in Beblenheim where a few parents were pushing little tackers around in prams. Later back in Kaysersburg there were kids everywhere , you had to admire the two ‘little soldiets’ battling imaginary enemies from behind the war memorial.

Even more were two little girls outside the hospital playing dead on the road. Ironically a car whizzed around the corner not long after they sprung back to life.

The ride home was no less expensive , but after that eating experience the care factor was zero and she even got a tip.

A bit ‘tired and emotional’ or maybe slightly inebriated we slumped on the bed and dozed for a while before heading off around town for another expedition to parts not visited before.

The town was almost empty after all of the day trippers had left. The restsurants seem to have a roster for when they open – perhaps a way to share the revenue amongst the community- which might be a little bit of the Schweitzer philosophy rubbing off.

No dinner for us after that lunchtime soirée so we had an ice cream and a stroll out in the burbs before heading home.