We continued on into Aachen. The first place we called in to, Volkswagen Zentrum, was flat out and couldn't help us with Gertie's exhaust problem today, but they said thay would have room tomorrow. On the other hand, they pointed us towards three other VW service centres in Aachen associated with them.
The second place we tried, only about 3km away, was Autohaus Piper, at Henricstraße 29, Aachen. They couldn't have been more helpful. Warren went in to see if they could assist us, and was doing pretty well in German — the girl at reception had minimal English — but he couldn't think of the word for 'exhaust'. Solved the impasse by blowing the loudest raspberry possible to imitate the sound Gertie was making. Suddenly all was clear, and the girl at the counter burst into laughter! She took him across to Michael Mohren, the service manager, who was helpfulness personified. He took Gertie in and put her up on the inspection hoist. (We've come to the conclusion that Gertie just likes to lift her skirts for any mechanic she sees!) Lo and behold, a mount had pulled away from the exhaust pipe, leaving a 3cm diameter hole. No wonder Gertie was complaining.
Michael said he could do the job straight away, and it would take between 30 and 45 minutes. We were amazed! Suzie decided to go for a walk while the job was done. Bad decision! The job was finished in about 10 minutes, and Warren had to hang about until Suzie got back from the local hardware store and garden centre. But the more amazing thing was that they did the job gratis — they wouldn't consider taking payment, even when offered. Turns out that Michael, and a couple of others at the place, are VW Campervan people themselves, and we found ourselves welcomed as part of the club. Well, we left, most grateful — with Gertie no longer disgracing herself as we go along!
We were intending to explore Aachen, but we had found information about a Joan Miró exposition in Spa, back in Belgium, and not far away, so we decided to go there instead (especially as the weather wasn't look too good for a city walk).
On the way, we pulled in to a roadside stop for lunch — we've become quite partial to a fresh baguette filled with ham and cheese — very simple, very satisfying!
We parked in the square in front of the funicular — they call it a 'cliff railway' — up to the main thermal baths. It was not running, so we didn't get up to the top, but there was still plenty to do in this pretty town.
We walked up to the Pouhon Pierre le Grand building where the Miró Expo was set up. On the way, we passed the Old Thermal Baths building, built between 1862 and 1860.
We also passed the Casino, the oldest casino in Europe, dating back to the early 1760s. The old casino was destroyed by fire, and the current buildings were constructed between 1904 to 1908.
Then the Pouhon Pierre le Grand, or Peter the Great Spring. This spring, the earliest discovered in Spa, was used by Tsar Peter the Great in 1717, who was delighted at his recovery after 'taking the waters'. The spring is still running in the building, and produces an average of over 20,000 litres each day. Warren decided to sample the water — bad decision. He doesn't know how anyone could drink the 21 glasses per day for the 'cure'. The taste is rather revolting, as the water is full of minerals and tastes sulphurous, as you can see from the deposits round any outlet!
Anyway, we went in to the Miró Expo, which was predominantly lithographs from private collections. They are in superb condition — obviously they've been well cared for! Photographs of the works were not permitted, but we don't think they'd mind a general shot that gives you an impression of the quality of the exhibition without showing any individual work in a recognisable state.
After enjoying Miró (and Picasso — quite a bonus — there was a series from his 'Metamorphoses' book illustrations, really superb fine line drawings — Picasso really had a surety of line!) we left and walked back past the van and into the Parc de Sept Heures This park goes back to about 1758. Statues have been placed here since that time. One of them is of the composer Giacomo Meyerbeer, who sought his inspiration in Spa from 1829 to 1860. There's also a wonderful blue windmill here — why, we know not!
Alongside the Park is the Léopold II Gallery, a cast-iron covered walk between two pavilions, built in 1878. Apparently, in its early days it functioned from time to time as a sort of ballroom. Today, every Sunday, it houses the traditional Marché aux Puces (Flea Market).
We walked about, enjoying the quiet autumn atmosphere, before finally leaving Spa (being detoured off our path on the way out), and driving back through Germany towards Luxembourg, stopping for the night at the Rastplatz drei Hütten, still in Belgium, but right on the German border. This rest stop was full — and we say full! — of trucks parked for the night. We only just squeezed in — but it was a really quiet spot, well set back from the highway.
Distance driven — today, 98 miles ( 158 km ); to date, 29,429 miles ( 47,362 km )
Gertie Must Stop Flirting! It Will No Do Her Any Good And Alfie Thought More Of HER. Am Writing the Lit review FINALLY with a clear plan and lotsa nice little headings to please my concrete thinking supervisor, the other, more intelligent by far, will raise an eyebrow I reckon but say Nothing. Enjoyed This Blog. Loved The Blue Windmill- my favourite light blue. Love and will catch up when the mountain is won. cathy.
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