10 days in Germany

So we arrived in Germany a few days before our tour de france trip, mainly so that Nicolas could get used to his Omi and Opa before we deserted him for a week. But also to get some admin done.

Benedikt had had a dodgy knee for some months and I've had a gammy ankle for YEARS so we decided to take advantage of german efficiency and we both went for MRI's on our respective appendages. We went to a doctor in Würzburg, an hour away. My appointment was completely unsatisfactory as the doctor could barely speak english! After he'd looked at my scan he palmed me off to his assistant who went on google in an attempt to translate the results. Basically she told me I have abrasions on the bone, liquid in the joint and bruising in the area. But I couldnt really trust google translator could I?! Plus I got no info on the injury: why is like that? What is the prognosis? Can I fix it? Will running damage it further? Will it ever get better? etc etc!! Instead I was allocated a very expensive ankle guard and had my feet impression taken for some inner soles.
Benedikt on the other hand had a really meaningful discussion with the same doctor who explained everything in great detail! Benedikt then had to go for a few physio sessions and 5 injections over a certain period of time.
Anyway, I have my MRI on CD so will get it assessed by my future sister in law doctor! Plus my Vet brother in law :)
One good thing about the whole palava was that I had to find my way around the city on my own and speak german to all sorts of people when picking up the inner soles and having them fitted, which was a good exercise. (I used the GPS to walk from A to B like a moron!) But it all gave me a lot more confidence in speaking to these germs and after which I did it a great deal more. Eg going in to a chemist and explaining 'Mein hals tut weh!'

Nicolas had a really good holiday I think. He was so comfortable in his grandparents house by the end that he would run around screaming with delight... especially seeing as he was surrounded by 5 doting adults all the time! He slept through the nights most nights, and his sleeping routine during the day was bit upside down but it worked out well in the end. He ate like a king of course, trying new foods and enjoying Irene's menu. He especially loved his fruit smoothies that he got every day at 5pm, so I've kept that habit up. And he loved all bread that he was fed!

So the week that we spent in Uffenhiem after the TDF seemed to race by. On the Monday we went into Würzburg again for Benedikt to have a knee injection. Then we went for a quick ride, then had the Grannies and family around for nicolas's second birthday celebration. On the Tuesday we went to Munich which is a 4 hour drive in total. And we stopped off at the Adidas factory store on the way home - a compulsory port of call on all of our German trips! Munich shopping was AMAZING! So many cool stores in the beautiful cobbled shopping areas... and SO many people and it was the middle of the week? We got some lovely clothes for ourselves and for Nicolas. On the Wednesday we went for a long ride, it was over 100kms and had tons of climbing in it. That week was my first time riding in Germany and I LOVED it. The roads are just amazing - good condition, no potholes, perfectly painted and wide corners etc... and so well sign posted you could NEVER get lost. And all the little villages you pass are just so pretty. We didn't have to rush off early to beat the traffic either, no matter what time of day we went there was hardly any traffic and the cars or trucks we did come across were SO considerate. I also LOVED all the forests we passed. I always tell Benedikt I dont mind where we live next, as long as there is a forest or 2 nearby I will be happy. And so will the dogs.
On the Thursday we spent the day at a SPA!! How divine. More on that in my next blog. On the friday we went to Würzburg again, and on the way back we went past Media Markt for gadgets, a massive baby shop for a buggy for Nico and Ikea for black out blinds and other odds and ends. Benedikt and I then went for our last ride on decent roads for a LONG time, then Benedikt, Nina and the 2 babas and I went to go and see the grannies one last time.
And on the Saturday we also did something very special...then it was home time. Another amazing trip filled with shopping and running around and lovely meals and nonsense weather!

So the 2 cousins spent a lot of time together which was very special.