Leiwen Visit

25-26 April - The Stoffel's invited us to attend a concert of the Leiwen Town Orchestra/Band. Michael plays French Horn in band. Upon our arrival, Petra prepared a light meal for the evening. She prepared Smoked Salmon on bread, Ham and Salami on Bread, and a wonderful Ham wrap with herb cream cheese and a whole spring onion - WOW!!!!! Of course, Alfons and I did some wine tasting to get the right wine for dinner. It took us a little while to get it right :)) After dinner, we went to the concert. It was in the local sports hall. There were approx 300 people there. There was food and of course wine and beer!!! The younger band played first then the older band played. Michael plays in both. They played 9 arrangements of American, Austrian and German songs - Theme from James Bond, Blue Brothers, Light Cavalry, Rhapsody in Blue, 76 Trumbones, etc. It was very nice. It ended about 11pm and we went back and spent the night at Michael's home in one of their very nice guest house rooms. Michael came home early in the morning after spending some time with his friends and fellow band members at the traditional after concert party. :)) We woke up on Sunday morning and had a wonderful traditional full German breakfast of meat, cheese, bread, fruit, yogurts, jams, juice, coffee, hot chocolate, cereal, eggs. After breakfast, we attend the local Catholic Church. Of course the service was in German. The Church is very pretty inside. It was the first Catholic service Jamie has attended. After church, we walked through the cemetary (Friedhof) and saw the different types of graves - most with flowers in full bloom. After church, Alfons and I did some tasting of different liquors and wine mixes. I tried a very nice peach liquor and also a unique honeysuckle liquor mixed with sekt which is basically the same as champagne. SNAP!!! Kim drove home :))) Petra and Alfons were once again the ever gracious and wonderful host!! We had a very wonderful time and really enjoyed our additional experiences with our German hosts culture. Saturday light dinner. Leiwen Cemetary (Friedhof) Of course we had to take a photo with the Leiwen Wine Queen, the lovely Queen Tamara I. The Orchestra - Michael is standing just to the left of the green part of the banner.

James and Alfons picking the right wine!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is hard work :))