Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Munich Germany


We arrived in Munich about 3:30 PM. We traveled by surface train from the airport to our hotel. We really looked like a bunch of tourists as we tried to find the right one, get on, and find something to do with our luggage. After checking in, we found our way to the restaurant in the Hilton to get a meal.


Our first full day in Munich found us in the Marienplatz, home of the famous Hofbräuhaus (the most famous pub in the world...so the book says!) We sat outside of another beer garden and watched a horse drawn beer wagon arrive as an umpah band played. The horses were all decked out with ribbons and bells and the driver and his helper were dressed in traditional leiderhose. Of course, we didn't have the camera.



We were back in the Marienplatz for dinner at the Hofbräuhaus. Our first truly German meal was outstanding and the beer was pretty good too! Of course, the Townsons can't do things without some kind on interesting occurance...Dad was taking pictures of people in traditional dress outside, when he tripped over a bike, fell and banged his head, bruised his shoulder and racked up his ankle a bit. There we were sitting at an outdoor beergarden, trying to stem the blood. He was fine, but had a good scab on his forehead for a few days!




The next day we went to the Deutsches Museum which was full of planes, boats, mechanical devises, technology, chemistry, and everything that makes Germany great. It was allot to take in, so we picked and chose out favorite items of interest. One of the coolest exhibits was the one on music. It had a Theroman (radio frequency devise that plays a tone off your own electro magnetic frequency). Think the theme music to Star Trek.




On Saturday, we went to the English Garden. We had pretty much gotten the surface and underground trains down pat. We had to walk forever to get to the garden (one of the biggest beergardens in Munich). We sat and had a beer and listened to the band along with a multitude of Germans.

Sunday Mom and Dad went to Dachau and I went to layout in the sun out by the river by another beer garden.






The Dachau Memorial was established so that no one would forget what took place there during WWII. It was a sobering trip, but well worth our time. As we walked through the exhibits, Garry remarked that all this was still taking place after he was born. The gate that the prisoners were taken through said, "Work Sets You Free". For most of them, this never happened. The sculpture was done by a former prisoner and represents the horrors that occurred. The ovens pretty much say it all!!


The next day, we went to the BMW museum but it was closed so we instead walked across the bridge to the huge dealership where mom picked out the model of BMW convertible she is getting when we return to the states...if Dad can talk her into it that is.


Dad also found a toy, but it's more likely something I will end up getting.



The weather has been beautiful the whole time, without a gray cloud in the sky. When we walked out of the dealership, Mom heard thunder and swore it was going to rain. Not until we returned to the hotel did we get pelted with hail, luckily we were under an umbrella outside of the hotel to watch the brief storm.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

England & Flight to Germany

Hey All, We have had fun in England, but now it's time to head to Munich. Home of the Beer Gardens, BMW's, and Beautiful Weather! Below are some pictures of our last days in England and our travel over to Germany. No pictures of the Munich airport though, they have tough security.


Little roads, big trucks. The drivers know what they are doing over in England.


About to eat some food at a local pub in Gallgate


Awesome pub, awesome food!


Our tiny room in London, it was ok though. The beer was cold in the bar and the people were really nice. It was the week of Ascot...so the people were dressed in their best. The women wore hats of all sizes and shapes, and the men wore morning coats. Google that.


We got to share this bathroom...it....was awesome.


Breakfast done right in the Heathrow airport. Notice the big beer.


Mom, before they hassled her on the size of her carry on luggage. They were strict in London, but we acted like dumb Americans and got away with it.


Hey hey, it's early.


Writing out plans on what we are going to do when we get into Munich.


Inside London/Heathrow Airport.


Mom and I eating burgers in the airport...they were not all that good.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Where My Father Is From

Here are some photos of my fathers house in Halton. Other pictures of from surrounding areas around Lancaster including Morecombe. Check out this panoramic picture of the sea at low tide. You can walk out on to it and take pictures of the coast as if your standing in the water during high tide. This is where we spread my grandmothers ashes.


Standing next to a really short door across from Lancaster Castle. Who knows how old this building is, obviously people where shorter then.

This is the Garan house. My family built this home, the number 17 has always been a lucky number for the Townson's, and my dad found it interesting that the house number has become 17. It was always just referred to by it's name, the Garan Home which stands for Garry and Andrea, my father and aunts names.

My father and aunts road. They were one of two houses on it.

My Aunt Andrea's school.

Canal Boats

For all the pictures we have taken, Click Here. Pictures will be uploaded throughout the trip.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Getting in, Cool Car

Hey Yall,

Here are some pictures of us getting in, and the rental car we got while in England:

Here is a picture of Mom and Dad sitting the North Carolina airport waiting to board our flight to England. This is pre-sitting in one place for 8 hours.







Below are picture of the plane, the rental A6 we got, an oddly worded sign, and the wackiness of driving on the opposite side of the road. More to come!



Trip to Europe

Hey Everyone,

Just arrived in Blackpool, England. The internet cost 10$ a day here...in a Hilton...interesting. Anyway, the weather is a beautiful, the flight was very long...very, very long. It was well worth it though.

I will post some pictures as soon as I can connect my camera and download them to my machine. Dad pulled through with an awesome Audi A6 with an awesome, lifesaving navigation device. This thing took us 4 hours out of London with out any problems and brought us directly to our desitnation. Quite impressive if you ask me.

Check back over the next 2 weeks for updates!