Day 62 - Real Castles Have Moats

We are still with A and E, but today they drove us back to Muensterland (the landscape near Muenster). Muensterland is very flat. Unlike around Altena, where castles are built on hilltops, in flat Muensterland, castles need other fortification. In a word, moats!

First we visited Burg Vischering, a fortified castle with thick walls, moat and drawbridge. It was landowner's castle, and as such, he needed a castle to control his knights and holdings.... also to protect himself. Today the castle holds a museum of medieval life, including samples of furniture and other household objects. Did you know that the fork was invented to accomodate fashion. When collars and ruffs got wide, spoons simply became logistically difficult. Something was needed to spear food and carry it across the expanse of ruff...and Voila! The fork is born. The castle museum also housed a wing about knights and their horses. It was geared for children, which translates to right about our speed.

The next castle we visited was Nordkirche, the summer palace of the bishop. A far cry from Vischering, this castle's moat is patrolled by while swans and friendly ducks. The grounds are neatly manicured with gardens of formal topiary and dainty statues. The castle itself is a golden sandstone structure not unlike Versailles.

In the lower level, practically on level with the moat, there is a gorgeous little restaurant. A treated us to our daily dose of caffe and kuchen in the royal setting. Of course it was lovely.

Back home, E was working hard, both for actual work, but also preparing a delicious dinner for us. We are being spoiled rotten!