Middle-aged flash packers

 “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your golden hair”…….. Neuschwanstein castle    

Due to our lack of reserved tickets we were up at 6.30am to secure a place in the ticket queue for Neuschwanstein castle. Actually this worked perfectly – we arrived in Schwangu at 7.30 and were second in the line.

 The first person in line was a very pleasant Canadian chap who was not going to let anyone push in front of him, and cheerfully but firmly pointed any potential interlopers to the back of the queue. He should definitely set up seminars in how to be assertive, he was brilliant.

I’m so glad I didn’t pre book the tickets as I would never have arranged to be at the castle so early. As it was we beat the crowds and practically had it to ourselves.

Neuschwanstein castle was the inspiration for Walt Disney’s fairy tale castles. Built on a hill surrounded by the Bavarian Alps, it is extremely photogenic from a distance. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look quite so good close up. The story behind it is fascinating though. King Ludwig was obsessed with Louis 14th (the sun king) and wanted to create a castle as grand as Versailles. Unfortunately for him, before he really got to grips with styling the interior of the castle and completely bankrupted Bavaria, the powers that were decided he was mentally ill and relieved him of his kingship. A few weeks later he and his psychiatrist were found dead in a lake, apparently suicide.

After getting soaked on the walk back to Schwangu and a much needed hot drink, we set off for Linderhof schloss which was were Ludwig spent most of his time. This took us in to Austria and back out again which was great as on the way back we pulled over in Austria and took advantage of the free data service on our phones which we don’t get in Germany. The joys of the uniformity of Europe eh?

Linderhof Schloss was wonderful. The interior is completely over the top yet cosy at the same time. There is no doubt Ludwig was a gay guy and his interior design talent is a testimony to that. He was also a great inventor, designing a table that could be cranked down through the floor to the kitchen, where the cook could send his food up without the need of a servant. Probably quite useful when he was entertaining his “friend”. 

He also built a grotto with a waterfall he could switch on and off, and a hunting lodge, bizarrely in the form of a mini mosque with the most gorgeous stained glass windows. I loved the castle and also Ludwig’s eccentricity. 

Today’s lunch also deserves a mention. Charlie has been extolling the virtues of currywurst. Luckily for us, we were able to procure one at the Linderhof cafe. I’m not sure this was the gourmet delight Charlie was talking about as it was smothered in tomato sauce (not ketchup) with curry powder sprinkled on top. I was expecting more quite frankly, but I ate it anyway.