DRESDEN

Monday 5^th     

We left around 10.00 am as we had to take the key back to the swimming to get our 20 euros returned. It was only 37 miles to Dresden so we were in no hurry, at least it was not raining. Camping Mockritz is a fairly pleasant campsite on the outskirts of Dresden with no need to drive through the low emission zone. We found a spot under the trees, they were everywhere, and settled for a few days. After some lunch I did some much-needed washing and then we sat outside reading for a while before going for showers and later treated ourselves to a meal in the restaurant.  Very nice too, 27 euros for beers, main course and ice creams.

Tuesday 6^th

Sunny start to the day, so I washed some T-shirts before we went for the bus at 10.00 am. It took about 20 mins to get to the main station and then we set off walking down the main pedestrian street with lots of well-known shops as well as some German ones, all very modern and high-tech. We deviated in to the Karstadt department store which we had read about, somewhat like Selfridges with a fantastic grocery department in the basement and a panoramic restaurant on the 5^th floor, where we sat with a cold drink for a while. 

Then onwards across the old market square and the Kreuz kirche,  which has been left very plain inside since it was bombed and on to the new market square, with the town hall, Church of our Lady, beautifully ornate, Jewish synagogue, Royal Palace, all much older buildings than the pedestrian area. 

Ancient ruins being unearthed

Ancient ruins and Kreuze church

Ancient ruins being unearthed

Kreuze church

Modern tram and building

Newer pedestrian area

Old market square and Church of Our Lady

August II King of Saxony

Craft work in new market square

Sculpture and building works in new market square

Roof inside Church of Our Lady

Inside Church of Our Lady

Church of Our Lady

City Tour

Frieze along side of Royal Palace

City tour

Catholic Dom

Royal Palace

Dresden is a strange mix of old and new, which as so much of it was bombed during the war is only to be expected. We got on a tram to go back to the main station for the bus as our ticket allowed us to travel on any transport all day for 9 euros and by now our feet were complaining especially as it was quite hot and muggy again. We got back to the site around 4.30 and collapsed for a time, then both looked at each other and said “what the hell, let’s eat in the restaurant again tonight” so 6.00 pm saw us back at a table, this time with 4 Austrian folk, having a lovely meal. It is customary here to all sit together at fairly long tables so you get a chance to chat to your neighbours, no twosomes only available. 

We are getting quite good at sign language mixed in with a bit of German to make ourselves understood. It started to rain a bit and we can hear thunder in the distance again, so no doubt a storm is on it’s way.

Wednesday 7^th

We had a bit of rain last night but no storm.  Got up late and decided to have a rest day, so bought nice rolls for breakfast, did the last of the washing (duvet covers, towels etc. in the washing machine), got a voucher for the internet and caught up on emails, blogging and so on.

Thursday 8^th

A lovely sunny morning again so we spent another 9euros on a day bus ticket and headed off in the other direction to the hillside railways. Took about half an hour and we got off one stop earlier so that we could walk across the Blue Wonder Bridge that we had heard so much about. A bit disappointed really, not very blue, not very large and needed a good clean, rather like a miniature Forth Bridge. 

The funicular railway took us up about 750m in about 10 minutes, the view from the top was spectacular but there was nothing else there, so we came back down again, all for 6 euros.  

Then we walked along to the cable car railway and spent another 6 euros going up on that one, had a look around and a cup of coffee, again a marvellous view across the whole city of Dresden and the surrounds, and came back down again. 

Another bus trip back and we were back in time for a late lunch. Later we had proper showers and I even cooked a hot meal, the first for days! It is still 25’C in van at 9.30 pm.