Wednesday 14th Jan - well these are the last 2 full days of our holiday. Liam is getting excited about going home, I'm looking forward to not wearing so many layers! We checked the weather and we are looking at 38ºC when we get home!
Today Liam went ice skating giving me a chance to do some girlie shopping without the boys hanging around. I like Munich very much, for one I don't look too different from the locals with my blonde hair and blue eyes, unlike Italy they think I'm Dutch! Luckily most people in Munich speak some english which makes it very slack on our behalf. We also couldn't visit Munich without seeing the famous beer hall - Hofbrauhaus. For some more history it was originally built in 1589 by Bavarian Duke Maximillian, during WWII bombing destroyed all but the first floor and took until 1958 to rebuild. It's a place enjoyed by tourists and locals for eating and drinking while being entertained with music. Obviously less busy in winter with the outside beer gardens shut, but a nice warm place in winter with a fun atmosphere.

Thursday 15th Jan - I decided to check out ticket home - luckily - I had it in my mind the16th was Saturday!! That would have been interesting.
Today we visited royalty, no one was home so we got to look through their house, well the Nymphenburg Palace actually. No expense spared there! Dripping in gold, crystal and porcelain. The palace was commenced in 1664 and expanded in the 1700's. Seeing the royal coronation coaches and sleighs was a sight with all the gold and intricate carved patterns. They had garden carriages for the kids so they didn't need to walk, and inside sleds to ride on for play.The massive gardens out the back represented a small forest, the front had lakes and ponds with many elegant white swans that looked very regal. I would have loved to see the gardens in full bloom, in winter the statues are covered with wooden boxes that make them look a little like outside toilets! (I took some internet snaps to see the gardens in flower.)
After the palace visit Liam had some time for a last session of ice skating, Rob & I fitted in a little shopping, how can one not leave Germany without a pair of birkenstocks!

Friday 16th Jan - All packed and ready for home, it all fits - phew! Actually didn't buy that much. Caught the bus to the airport in plenty of time. Liam is really excited to be heading home. We will be home before we know it and back into routine.