Well, I haven’t been making timely entries. We left Italy and drove to Innsbruck, Austria, in the rain. It was cold but the Dolomites were beautiful.

We made it to Munich, Germany. We had a good time visiting the sites. Germany is very beautiful, and has such a fascinating history. We visited the two main palaces.

Ludwig I was an interesting character. He abdicated his throne during the revolt in Munich. Part of it had to do with his relationship with a Spanish dancer. By his royal order, he selected the most beautiful women in Germany. It did not matter what their station in life was. In the summer palace, the paintings are displayed. There are 36 paintings. This is Lola the Spanish dancer.

We picked Renee up in Dusseldorf. However, the airlines was unable to produce her luggage so we delayed the trip. We took a ride to Bastogne and Reims. The most famous words in France were uttered by General McAuliffe to the German high command when the 101st was surrounded. The Germans called for his surrender and his response was “Nuts”.

Reims' main Cathedral was where the many royal French coronations took place. After Joan of Arc was able to stop the English and restore King Charles the VII to the throne, his coronation took place here. Joan of Arc was standing at his side.

After Joan of Arc was tried for heresy, she was turned over by the French to the British in Rouen, France. Well, you know the story, she was burned at the stake. When King Charles was asked about the situation, he responded by saying, “Joan who?”.

The actual location of her death has been preserved.

We stopped in Bayeux, France, to see the 70 meter long tapestry. It is 900 years old. It was made to explain to the people about William the Bastard's success at Hasting, in 1099. The tapestry has such great detail. It is a story in pictures as most people could not read, at that time. After William's success over Harold, he became king and his titled changed to William the Conqueror.

We eat dinner at the foot of his fortress in Caen, France.

Next stop NORMANDY.