Mawhorter Sabbatical 2013: Fraueninsel, Chiemsee, southeast of Munich

In spite of infuriating traffic jams and incomplete directions, we made the 6:00 ferry from Gstadt to the Fraueninsel to get to David and Rich's conference on Sunday evening. It started to rain just as we stepped onto the boat, and the week on the island continued rainy and cold. This was our view of a ferry docking as we stepped onto our own ferry. The Fraueninsel (Frauen means women and insel means island) is in the background. The Herreninsel (Man's Island) is at the edge to the right.

Ferry Docking at Gstadt, Fraueninsel in background

I'd had visions of doing laps in the lake every day, but it was too cold to swim. However, Rich had his conference, and I was tired from walking in the Alps, so I enjoyed being lazy, reading, and practicing recorder. I joined forces with Megumi, the wife of a Japanese chemist, and we explored the tiny island together, visiting the small museum, an art gallery, and a pottery. The gardens were bursting with gorgeous roses. We also took the train up to Munich Thursday to see an art museum and walk around the city center. Relaxing week. The conference was held in a Benedictine convent founded in 782. We stayed up on the 3rd floor with a view of the courtyard, restaurant, and the lake. On clear days, one can see the alps, but we got only occasional glimpses, since it was socked in a lot of the time.

Kloster Frauenwörth (Convent) Bell Tower & Church, Fraueninsel

View out our dormitory window, convent on Fraueninsel

Door to our dormitory

Notice the chalk inscription on the door: 20 C + M + B 13. All the doors had this written in chalk. It's written on 6 January, the Festival of the 3 Kings; C is for Caspar, M for Melchior, and B for Balthazar, with 20 and 13 for 2013. This is a sign of the blessing of the house on Jan. 6. The other side still had the 2012 chalk up.

Climbing Roses, House on Fraueninsel

Alley on Fraueninsel

Roses, Geraniums, Wood pile, Fishing net

Everywhere we drove in the Alps and every house on the Fraueninsel had a well-stocked woodpile. The ones near Gschnitz covered the whole 2-story side of a house or barn. Sign of cold winters.

Waitresses and waiters in traditional Bavarian dress served breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the convent restaurant. However, this waitress was actually from New Zealand and another one was Thai.