Prüm to Waxweiller, 27Km
The Germans take their breakfasts seriously. Hotels generally lay out an enormous buffet with a range of cereals, yoghurts, juices, eggs, bacon, sausages, tomatoes, various cold meats and several types of cheese. Then there is every type of bread with several jams, croissants and Danish pastries, of course, and cake. The idea is that you can make it through the morning with little more than a slither of something with your coffee. I can’t cope with it. Once I’ve taken the granola and some of the breads, I’m done. However, since I left Bonn, I haven’t passed a single cafe or shop for lunch so I’m grateful to the buffet for providing an ample picnic every day. I even took a banana today which is probably why I felt in good spirits.
The Prüm abbey (the Basilica of St Salvador) appeared to be locked this morning but I tried the huge, heavy main door and it opened. You wouldn’t have reached the handle from a wheelchair. Inside, a candle was burning and, like all these great abbeys, it’s a testament to a long and fascinating history. Emperor Charlemagne was present at the inauguration. During the day I passed a tourist information board which said that among the relics in the abbey was a pair of sandals once worn by Jesus himself.
Today’s walk was even better than yesterday’s walk. The weather was perfect, even slightly chilly at 9 degrees at the start, but sunny and clear. I set off up a steep climb to the Rommensheimerheld and then along an idyllic trickling stream in the forest until I reached a place called Schönecker Schweiz which is an important nature reserve protecting the Eifel ecology. A deer bounced across a meadow.
Fortified by my banana and chocolate cake, I continued over open fields covered in wild flowers and alive with 60 species of butterfly and insects doing their pollinating. I’m an expert in the whole region having read the tourist leaflet. This Eifel region which spreads into Belgium and Luxembourg is a little known joy. Motor racing fans will know it for the fearsome Nürburgring which is mercifully just out of earshot of my pilgrimage.
Just before Waxweiler, I reached the Mariensäule (Mariam Column). Waxweiler was in the firing line during the Ardennes offensive in WW2 and the residents promised to build the column if their home was spared. It wasn’t but they built the column anyway.
Pilgrimage 
Looks like you had a truly beautiful walk today! The forest path reminded me a little of Galicia with the fern covered floor. Although I’m guessing a lot less of a rainforest than Galicia.
Probably a lot less rain than Galicia but this is a crazy year! Germany has been flooded and I’ve been lucky to catch a good spell
Your description of breakfast brings back so many great memories of my time in Germany. Fresh brotchen (buns) are of my favourite foods in the whole world !!!
It’s an amazing breakfast and I only mentioned a few of the things in the buffet
I used to have a pair of Jesus sandals too, perhaps I should have donated them to the local church.
I guess a lot of people do. They would have made a good photo
Loving the contrasts of your day; from extravagant brekkies to simple bakery stapkes, from animals, both wild & domestic, to architecture both simple & grand, to weather, to villages, towns & cities, to scenery…from small detail to awe inspiring.
I noticed my comment & your response on Day 9’s entry has disappeared from your post…did I inadvertently break a rule or something? 🤔🤷♀️
I don’t know what happened but perhaps a slip of my finger because it was showing as pending approval so it’s back now! It’s a delightful walk and more contrasts coming