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Aug. 07, 2008. After some 68,000km we arrive back in Germany & our first stop is the BMW Shop in Sinn. |
All our gear is going into the rubbish bin. |
Visiting with Melanie and Erik... |
...Marion and Werner... |
...Ruby's aunt & uncle and helping move a new furnace. |
Aug. 16, 2009. The SAALBURG Fort. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2005. |
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This fort kept watch over a section of the Limes in the Taunus hills. |
The Limes marked the frontier between Rome's Empire & the Germanic tribal territories. |
After being abandoned around AD 260 the fort was rebuilt between 1897 adn 1907. |
A ditch surrounds the fort walls. |
The 550km long frontier complex, extends from the Rhine to the River Danube. |
The open-air museum has re-built ovens along the rampart walk... |
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...fresh Roman bread is still baked several times a year. |
The praetorium (commander's quarters). |
The museum houses countless archaeological finds... |
...including weapons... |
...and military equipment... |
...iron, glass, pottery and ... |
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...bronze objects. |
The centrally-located principia (headquarters building) & colonnaded courtyard. |
We continue to the HESSENPARK, another open-air Museum. |
A large grinding mill. |
Over 100 buildings including farm houses... |
...& other trade building have been reconstructed. |
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These buildings are not copies of building, but are the original houses... |
...relocated from different parts of Hessen. |
This gave us an opportunity to experience how our ancestors used to life. |
A old Windmill. |
Ruby, Uli & Martina stand infront of an old hay farm shed from Ruby's former home town, Mengerskirchen. |
Gradierwerke (Huge Salt Walls) in the SALINENTAL located along the River Nahe near Bad Kreuznach. |
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Constructed between 1732 and 1742 the wooden Gradierwerke stretch up to 1100m. |
Originally built for salt production is now a spa garden. |
Salt water is continuously cascaded from the top of the 8m high walls through thorn hedges. |
This process causes 15% of the water to evaporate. |
The salt water mist is good for the respiratory tracts and... |
...patients flock here to enjoy the free open-air inhalation facilities. |
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The facilities are comparable to being exposed to the salt water ocean.
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A waterwheel causes a mechanical movement of a shaft... |
...that used to run a pump & now supports Ruby's relatives... |
Only 6km from Bad Kreuznach lies the Castle... |
...EBERNBURG. For only 59Euro on can have a double room incl. breakfast. |
The view is excellent. The castle is purged on top of a hill surrounded by vineyards. |
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We are on a role and follow a sign which leads us to a Marble Sculpture Exhibition. |
A stack of books made out of marble. There is no chance that Ruby will be able to push it over. |
To top it all off we stop in at a fare (Kirmes) & meet up with Ruby's cousin Nadine & Andy. |
We are treated to a special dinner at the WALDGEIST. |
The menu is unique. Hamburger are 30cm (almost 15inches) in diameter.
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A steak that is XXXXXL and 800g. |
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Mike orders a large Diet Coke. |
Ruby's half Schnitzel which covers the entire plate. |
Mike opts for the large Schnitzel which is (3) Schnitzels, each as big as his plate. |
Needless to say he was unable to finish the Schnitzel or French Fries. |
The map on the panniers had seen better days. |
Ruby's motorcycle after Africa. |
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The crashbars will be replaced. |
Touratech Panniers did not fair well. Held on by straps... |
Cracking of the Touratech panniers. |
Mike's motorcycle which faired a bit better... |
...maybe because it did not see the ground as much as Ruby's. |
Rolf & Ingrid cooked supper for us everyday. We were spoilt rotten. |
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Ruby's long time friend Melanie. |
Dropping off the motorcycle and discussing with Steffen the service that is required. |
Saying Good-bye to Germany Aug. 21, 2008. |
Winter 2008/2009. Ruby's & Mike's Motorcycle in pieces. |
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...the Gearbox... |
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...every part is being cleaned. |
Ruby's motorcycle engine... |
...and cylinderheads c/w pistons and valves... |
...which had to be replaced due to all the deposits on it. |
Mike's motorcycle is getting rebuilt... |
...the gearbox before cleaning... |
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...and Mike's engine before disassemble. |
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