Schloss Boitzenberg
Once again…where do I begin? How often does one get invited to a castle for a weekend? After 2 very busy days it was a pleasure to sit back and be driven 1.5 hours north to Brandenburg. This was after Richard retrieved his 26 year old Mercedes station wagon from 3 blocks away where Silke advised it was parked. Cars are very rarely used in Berlin.
Ok, I’m back! Sorry about the confusion caused by these few lines-written whilst waiting for the early plane to Scotland, and no time to carry on. More about that later…
So it’s back to the Schloss Boitzenburg. There has been evidence of a castle on this site since the 13 th century, but the current structure was built in the mid 19th century.
(Another fun fact: for many years it was owned by the Von Arnim family who must have been related to one of my favourite authors, Elizabeth Von Arnim, who was married to a Count of that name. His country house was nearby. She wrote “Elizabeth and her German Garden” and “The Enchanted April”, which was turned into a movie, and many others).
The castle is now a children’s and families’ hotel, with half of it offering bunk rooms and the other half a venue for weddings.
Silke had invited 40 of her closest friends and relatives to celebrate her 50th birthday with her. Whilst awaiting their arrival Richard, friend Gabi and I adjourned to Marstalls, an amazing restaurant, coffee grinder, chocolatier and baker across the road, for the traditional afternoon treat of kaffee an kuchen ( best cheesecake ever). I have struggled to get my coffee of choice…double espresso +hot water+hot milk (I know…first world problem!). But with Richard’s instructions, this place mastered it…just in time for me to leave the country!
I had a wander around the little town. It was part of the GDR and there was some evidence of that in the many plain, concrete coloured houses typical of their architecture. Fortunately many have been painted brightly and there were some very old houses with beautiful timbered walls ( what we’d call Tudor style).
Guests were trickling in and being assigned rooms, and as Silke had assured me, everyone brought food and a beautiful pot luck dinner was laid out in the courtyard. Despite my misgivings at being the English speaking stranger amongst a group of people who already knew each other, everyone was so kind and interested, and over the weekend I felt I’d got to know some of them. (It was interesting to hear that some of them had grown up in East Germany and I wished I had more time to learn more about their experiences) Of course I invited them to visit in Raglan…and I think a couple of them might even do that!
The evening ended with the most spectacular fireworks display I have seen for years, compliments of the wedding party in the posh part of the castle.
Next morning we did yoga on the lawn (one of the friends is a yoga teacher) followed by breakfast buffet (say no more!). Then Richard, Gabi and I had a walk in the surrounding beech forest where we found the very ornate family burial grounds, a little chapel- mostly ruined by having a tree fall on it and a slightly out of place Greek-temple-in miniature (another popular wedding venue, with its views over the castle).
Unfortunately the travel had caught up with me and I wasn’t feeling that well so (sensibly, for me) I didn’t swim in the late or kayak, but rested instead. This meant I could enjoy the balmy evening bbq birthday dinner on the grass below the castle.
More of being boring and sensible on Sunday meant I mainly wandered and sat whilst others cavorted in water and boats. After a final kaffee an kuchen we were back on the road to a steamy Berlin ( I was leaving in time to avoid the heatwave!).
Richard and Silke are really the kindest and most thoughtful of friends ( 2 qualities that I’ve always believed are the most important) and this was evidenced once again when they insisted on driving me an hour through Berlin for a final meal together, and a drop off at my airport hotel.
Being a Sunday, the city streets were a lot quieter and it was such a treat driving past many of the places we had been to during my 2 days in the city, and then heading into the tree lined streets on the outskirts. Silke found an amazing restaurant- part of a boat club on a large river where, surrounded by relaxed locals, we had an excellent last meal together.
What a wonderful time I had with both of them (and friends)…getting to know them better and realise how much we were similar.. we were all quite tearful as we said goodbye, not knowing if we’d meet again but treasuring this short time together.
All’s well that begins well. And as I said; thank YOU so much for all the numerous opportunities that you made possible. And it felt so much like home from home. This was an unforgettable time for me/us too. We shall follow your further adventures at a distance but very close to you nonetheless. Sleep well and enjoy a short, safe flight.
Love, Richard and Silke
A lovely farewell message…thank you Richard and Silke!
Is there meant to be only 3 lines to this post??? Looking forward to seeing the rest.
ReplyDeleteAnother wet morning and in bed with a coffee bathing in the wonderful sights, stories you have to tell about the history, and the people you have met has been such a joy Rob. Loving it and love seeing you look so very relaxed and happy -particularly happy that you are being a ‘wise woman’ and pacing yourself when needed😉👌! Lots of love.xxx
ReplyDelete