France

NEW PICTURES!!!

Finally!, a hundred new pictures can be found in the Ritterbuergen image gallary

Joni has been taking a class on old castles in the area, perhaps she can tell you more about what the class is about. However, this last saturday, her class went on a field trip to see some old castles. They specifically went to France where there were three of them, one in ruins, one in partial ruins, and one rather well kept ruins. All three in one place! Wow... that's why we took a bus out and chose to go way off in France.

Anyways, to get out there, we had to take a bus. Luckily, the teacher told Joni that I could throw in 5 Euro and sign a release form I could go with the class. Hey, a day trip to go see old castles?!? I was in. The bus ride ended up taking well over four hours, which meant we had to get an early start in the morning. Waking up just after 6:00 in the morning, we showered, packed a lunch, packed extra water, and headed down to catch our bus.

The bus ride was fairly uneventful. Joni and I spent the time talking until we finally reached our destination. Once there, everyone was more than eager to get out, stretch their legs, and use the facilities. Joni and Jessica stopped to pose near the sign for the castle park. Which primarily consisted of a tourist area where you could buy souvineers and restraunt where you could eat a nice lunch.

From the main tourist area you could make out a castle in the distance. It didn't seem too far, and looked pretty interesting. However, as we were to find out, this was only the third castle we would see today. Our first castle was actually located a ways into the woods and required some hiking to get there. So the entire class started up the mountainside like some kind of race. I had a hard time keeping up, beause I had been sitting working on my dissertation so much. Joni held back with some of her classmates, bringing up the rear.

Although the hike was uphill for the most part, very long and very enduring. We were rewarded by beautiful scenery and cool breezes. Stopping every now and then to drink plenty of fluids, I was able to take some snapshots of our sights. It was a bright, hot and sunny day so keeping up fluids was essential. Luckily Joni and I each brought a full bottle of water.

After about 35 minutes of walking, including several short breaks for catching breathes and water we finally started coming upon the first castle. We could see that third castle off in the distance, looking farther and farther away. Catching up with the rest of the group, we made our way to the base.

View along the side of the first castle.

Once at the castle, we walked all around it, climbed up it and discussed it on top. Although I couldn't understand the German, I had several people translate various facts for me, so I got the jists. And I could really appreciate the cool breeze but was exposed to the direct sunlight. Luckily it was still in the morning, so the light wasn't too intense at this point, but still. What a day!

After spending quite some time at the first castle, we headed out for the second. Fortunately, it wasn't too far away and we began to see it fairly soon. The first castle was the most ruined of the set. Starting around the 1350s but eventually turned into a den for theives and robbers. The second castle, however, was fortified and rebuilt several times, so it was in better shape.

After just arriving at the second castle, everyone was forced to hang out while a student gave a presentation (in German) over the castle. Maybe Joni can tell you some stuff about it. I imagine that there had been a presentation at the first castle, but I was in the rear and was late to the first castle, and thus was not subjected to it. It wouldn't have been bad, except for we had to sit and listen in direct sunlight, with little breeze, surrounded by flies, gnats and bees. It did give Joni and I some time to lather on another full layer of sunscreen, just as the sun started hitting high noon.

After the presentation, we were able to get up and wander around for a bit. I was able to read a short description of the castle in english (That's how I knew about the robbers in the last one and the fortifications of this one.) Exploring entailed quite a bit of climbing and taking pictures. It was pretty awesome. There was one door especially, featured on right, that had been redone during the renaissance. Quite some old-school restoration huh?

After everyone had their time with the second castle, we hiked all the way back to the tourist point. The walk backed seemed a lot easier from the second castle, but didn't have the views. Nevertheless, we quickly found ourselves back where we started. At this point, partly because of the sun and heat, and partly because people were hungry; we broke into groups and ate our lunches. I had a couple of sandwhiches and some pudding, while Joni had canned middle-eastern food she split with Jessica. It wasn't too long before we were summoned back with the group.

It took a while for the entire group to get to the entrance of the third castle. This one was surrounded by a gate, and it looked like there was an entrance fee. Luckily the class either paid as a group or got in for free. But yet, just the waiting for the entire group to enter at once got Jessica, I and Joni all bored. So we decided to take pictures to prove how bored we were. Our new photo-documentation policy!

Once inside the gates, we found a nice shady spot under a tree where we sat and listened to a student give a short speech about the castle. It gave us a chance to rest up and get ready to explore.

After everyone was back together again we said goodbye to the last castle, hiked back to the tourist area and got back aboard our bus. After all that hiking it felt nice to have a nice compfy seat to sit in for a while. I feel asleep while Joni talked to her friends. I had stayed up quite a bit the night before, and that early start coupled with all that hiking put me under. But I had a nice rest as we drove out to go see a forth castle. One that was not in ruins, but a more modern one.

We arrived at the fourth castle and our professor gave some history about it. I just sat and listened and woke myself up from my bus-slumber. After a short time, we were all walking inside.

John - bored at the base of the fourth castle

Unlike the previous castles, this one furnished us with a tour guide and kept us together as a group. I bet the Germans really learned a lot from this guy. He was very enthusiastic and full of knowledge. He showed us an extremely deep well, some of the fortifications and took us around the place.

Joni enjoys the flowers on top of castle 4

The views were spectacular. Overlooking the local town, as well as some of the old towers that used to defend the place. The castle was in excellent condition. In fact, they even rent it out on occasion as a pent-house. So if you ever want to stay over in mid-southern france in style... there ya go.

Joni and Jessica having even more fun on castle 4

Our tour eventually brought us down around the base and through the belly of the fortifications, within the foundation of the rock. Through dark tunnels and passageways dimly lit by candle-light to hidden rooms beneath. They showed us how well the castle was protected and how a lot of the modern conviences were built.

Some interesting balls grouped together.

Some of the gardens were amazingly green and gorgeous. After the tour our guide took off, we stopped by for some icecream, talked a little more in German about the castle, and hopped aboard the bus to journey home. The journey home took a couple of hours. I feel asleep and got some more rest, I think Joni may have slept too, I can't remember. It was a tiring day, and we were both very much looking forward to chilling out at the apartment and having a mini bed-in. All in all, it was a wonderful field-trip.