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Firstly, I would like to apologise to all my avid readers. I wrote two, if I say so myself, amazing blogs detailing my travels. However, when we arrived in Germany, the heat was so intense, and I was so exhausted from our adventures in France, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein that I completely forgot about my budding career as a novelist. Mummy also forgot to post my third blog. So here it is, only 15 months late, but I know you're still excited. Now, let's see if we can cast our minds back!
After enjoying the breathtaking mountains and lakes of Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and celebrating mummy's birthday, we ventured into a new country—Germany! Nanny and Grandad were still with us at this point, but not for long, which made me sad.
If you remember, I mentioned at the end of my last blog that the heat needed to calm down. Well, it didn't—it got much, much worse! Being a pug, I really struggled. Most of our time in Germany consisted of early morning outings, shady walks, and hiding in our air-conditioned rooms during the hottest parts of the day. We'd venture back out in the evenings when it was cooler.
We had a quick stop in Ulm, the 11th-largest city on the Danube River, famous for its spectacular minster right in the centre. A medieval city with peaceful streets and quaint buildings, before making our way to Stuttgart. Stuttgart is a charming city nestled in the heart of Germany's Baden-Württemberg region. Known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and vibrant arts scene, Stuttgart offers a perfect blend of history and modernity. After some much-needed rest, we explored picturesque parks, walked around the beautiful church, Feuerseeplatz, which is surrounded by a peaceful lake with market stalls dotted around. Gazed at the old-fashioned buildings which blended Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance architectural styles, reflecting the city's rich history and enjoyed some delicious food in the outdoor restaurants dotted along the cobbled streets.
Then, it happened—Nanny and Grandad packed their bags and headed to the station to catch what mummy called a "train." I was so sad to see them go, but Grandad told me I needed to look after mummy, so I had to stay. Nanny gave me the biggest cuddle and promised to see me very soon. To keep ourselves busy, mummy and I walked around the market. She enjoyed some crepes and German beer (apparently, beer is good over there), while I had my trusty water.
After a while, we needed to get back into the air conditioning. As much as we love to explore, mummy knows when it's too hot, and we don't like to push ourselves. So, we settled in for cuddles and Netflix, ready for our drive to the next stop the following day.
The next day, we woke up, had breakfast, and went for our morning walk before jumping back into the car and heading to Sankt Goar, a picturesque town located on the west bank of the Middle Rhine in Germany's Rhineland-Palatinate region. This charming town is renowned for its stunning natural beauty and rich history. Nestled in the heart of the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sankt Goar offers breathtaking views of the river and surrounding landscapes. This place was more to our liking.
We stayed in a lovely guest house with a kind lady who gave me lots of cuddles and let me have breakfast in the restaurant with mummy. Most places were so friendly to me that I didn't leave mummy's side for the entire three weeks we were away! We wandered down to the river each day, along the narrow streets that are lined with half-timbered houses, quaint shops, and cozy cafés, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. My favourite part was when we explored a medieval castle that stands majestically above the town, you can stand at the top and look out over the river to the sister town of Sankt Goarshausen, home to the famous Katz and Maus castles. We even took a riverboat cruise to the next town, Oberwesel where we explored the historic sites, enjoying the local wine (mummy did this bit, not me), and simply took in the scenic beauty, all while avoiding the hottest parts of the day and sticking to the shade.
We didn't spend much time in Germany. Initially, mummy planned for us to travel around a lot more and stay longer, but between you and me, three weeks was just about enough. Not only was the heat intense, but my little legs were getting shorter with all the walking.
Next stop—Luxembourg! Oh my god, mummy loved this country, and to be honest, so did I. It wasn't as hot as Germany, and we stayed in a lovely apartment with an owner who had a dog I was allowed to play with in the garden.
Luxembourg is a captivating country renowned for its blend of old-world charm and modern sophistication. This small landlocked nation boasts a rich history, diverse culture, and stunning landscapes.
We ventured out into the capital city, famous for its dramatic setting atop cliffs and deep gorges, offering breathtaking views. The old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features cobblestone streets, medieval fortifications, and picturesque squares. I even met a Luxembourg soldier! He was busy guarding a big house, so he didn't speak to me. Although Luxembourg is small, it was so lovely, peaceful, and the people were very friendly. But we had to move on—we were due home in a few days.
We made our way back to France with a stop in Dinant, Belgium, where we walked along the Meuse River and had lunch in a little restaurant on the bank of the river. The people there weren't as friendly, so I didn't mind moving on.
Once back in France, we had to stop for my worming tablets. Mummy says you have to get these from a vet 24 hours before returning to the UK, and the vet has to sign my paperwork to ensure everything is in order. I'm glad she's on top of things and did everything properly—I couldn't have her going home without me.
While waiting for the 24 hours to pass, we went to the beach for zoomies and watched the boats come in, reminiscing about our amazing trip. Once we were finally cleared to leave Europe, we traveled back through the tunnel under the sea and were on the home run! Mummy and I talked in the car about our wonderful holiday, the friendly people we met, the beautiful sights we saw, and the quality time we spent together. I really am the luckiest dog in the world!
Now, 15 months later, mummy is planning our trip to Scotland. She said we're going to drive along a route called the North Coast 500. We're driving up, and you guessed it—Nanny and Grandad are going to meet us there and join the fun again! I have the best family and can't wait for our next adventure.
I'll make sure mummy remembers to post my blog about Scotland once we're home. Keep your eyes peeled for that one!
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