Trittenheim - Neumagen-Dhron 24 June, by foot

Hiking back to Neumagen - Dhron today. Time to celebrate Swedish midsummer.

Breakfast on the Mosel veranda. Just beautiful. The Owner of the Gasthaus, whom we remember from 25 years ago, fixing our breakfast. Lovely woman, chatting away about how the daughter and her husband have taken over the running of the gasthaus and she and her husband have more time with the grandchildren. She told us that she comes from Mehring, the next village and used to take the train to school in Trier everyday. Her husband was on the same train but they never saw each other! She only saw one of the other boys who was extra goodloooking.

Worth waiting 25 years for, breakfast on the veranda 

Leaving Trittenheim to walk back on the opposite side of the river.

At the start of the extremely steep climb up, Trittenheim has been documented since the year 893.

A last look.

At the highest point we found this information. The legend of the sign of the cross. Here the Roman emperor, Constantin is said to have experienced a revelation. A vision of Christ linked to the cross. This vision and subsequent victory over Emporer Max of Rome, spurned Constantin on to embrace Christianity.

This is the spot where Constantin encountered the vision.

Perfect environment for midsummer. Lush vegetation and bird song.

The martyrs chapel we saw from above the river yesterday. And here is the story.

In the middle of the 3 rd century the Romans  were systematically persecuting the Christians. The martyrs chapel is a memorial to this religious fanaticism. According to legend the blood of the murdered Christians of the Theban legion turned the Mosel red as far as the chapel.

The vines are grown on extremely steep slopes.

And now it is time to celebrate midsummer. We moved our food to the braai/grilla area. Had salmon, barbecue, strawberries and cream

The braai master.

And the lady in waiting. 

Great end to a wonderful day.