11 Feb 2012 Keltenwelt in Glauberg & Schotten

KELTENWELT IN GLAUBERG


















SCHOTTEN














We had a visit today from the Peters family. They came up to go to the Frankfurt temple and afterwards picked us up to go see Keltenwelt in Glauberg, a Celtic archaeological research park. This has always been inportant to the people who have settled here. It was built during the Iron Age. A large fortified settlement with a scared area. It is 2,500 years old. They had mighty fortifications, settlements, burial sites and sacred areas from the time of the Celts about 450 BC. There is a great museum with explanations of all the artifacts they have unearthed at this site. They point out that the Celts were formidable warriours, farmers and craftsmen. Outside are the ramparts and ditches with a burial mound with strategically placed wood beams, much like Stonehenge, only done in wood.

After checking everything out, we drove to see their Aunt Louise, who lives in Schotten, about 30 miles away. She is a delightful little lady of 82 years, and all alone. She never married. All that is left is a Nephew and his wife. She has lots of friends, however, who seem to adore her. I loved her apartment, so very old German style with its hand carved furniture, lace curtains and momentos galore. I took as many photos as I felt I needed to remember how I felt in her house. It was a cozy feeling of love. You could tell she loved cats, but did not have a real cat. I used her bathroom and just saw her personality in her decorations there. Best of all was her photographs hanging on the wall. One of her parents wedding day in 1900, one of her Grandmother and a great picture of her and her sister in the 1840's. We had the usual tea and sweetie and talked a while. In parting, Gene gave her a big hug, which she seemed to appreciate. She was the cutest little lady with red hair. A perfect Grandma. It was a wonderful day for us.

01-02 Wesel FHC & Delft, Netherlands

WESEL FAMILY HISTORY CENTER




























DELFT, NETHERLANDS






































































ROYAL DELFT FACTORY-NETHERLANDS























SCHLOSS MONTABAUM








Got up at 7:00 AM to start out for Wesel which is situated in the North West corner of Germany, near the Netherlands border. We knew it would take about 3 hours to get there so we left early to get to our appointment at the Wesel FHC to take them a new computer. Brother Tadaszak met us there with two full time missionaries. One was a computer genius that helped us get the computer set up. There was a problem connecting to Salt Lake City through the Internet, so we called for help from Tim Manners in England. We were there a total of almost 4 hours. I strolled around and took pictures of the chapel. We ended up taking the Elders to the Bahnhoff (train station). It was 14 degrees C which means 27 degrees F to us. The wind was blowing really hard, so it felt even colder. A huge cold front is coming down from Russia and going through Central Europe. I believe it! I have never seen it so cold. Hope it warms up before our family comes the middle of February.

After taking care of business we then went to Delft, Netherlands to pick up some presents from the Delft Factory. The streets are confusing and most of the time you are driving on the edge of dikes filled to the brim with ice cold water, Gene said it was a little disconcerting, but it is a beautiful town. We were not disappointed in the Delft Factory. Found a few things for myself this time. We stopped at our favorite breakfast place, Micky Dee's. We got the usual, sausage and egg biscuit with an orange juice and a ham & cheese Croissant with hot chocolate. Gene gave them the order in German like we always do, but they were not use to us so this is what we got, bacon & egg biscuit and a plain croissant. What are they thinking. Gene took it back since that would have cost us 9 euros. As Gene would say, "That was an adventure".

On our way home we saw a Schloss on the freeway 20 km north of Limburg. We never saw it before traveling that freeway, but we did this time, so we pulled off into the town of Montabaum. Schloss Montabaum is a Baroque castle. It has an outer bailey and a three story circular tower. The keep is 33 feet high. In 959 it was the residence of Duke Herman of Swabia and then to the Arch Bishop of Trier up until the end of the 18th Cent. From 1851 until 1969 it has been used as a hotel and administrative offices, as well as a conference center. It is a beautiful yellow color. Just stayed a few minutes and took some photos of the town on a cliff. When you walk around the castle it has a great feeling about it, very homey.