Today we drove west, back the way we came yesterday, and onwards towards the Dutch border and the town of Bad Bentheim. The land is flat until you get to the town where there is a huge block of sandstone on which stands the very imposing Kronenburg Castle. There has been a castle here for nearly 1000 years, having been first mentioned in the 11th century. It is owned by the Prince of Bentheim-Steinfurt whose family still live here. More about the castle later.
When we arrived we parked below the castle for an afternoon nap and an ice cream (it’s a tough life “on the road”).
The concert this evening was held in the grounds of the small vineyard “Bentheimer Weinberg”. The vineyard is run by Susanna and Johannis as a cooperative with a team of some 20 people. The picture shows Ray with Reiner and Susanna standing on the stage in front of what used to be a house for racing pigeons. The birds in the picture are all models.
The evening was perfect for an outdoor concert. Ray began the set on guitar with Drunk On Summer, a song from his third album, followed by Even For A Shadow, a new song from his forthcoming album. He switched to cello for 3 songs and then to piano for two before finishing the first set back on guitar with The Kings Birthday and, on harmonica, the waltz he wrote for his own wedding.
Susanna and her team then brought out finger food and small glasses of their new red wine.
Ray began the second set on piano with Dark Father from his fourth album and The Promised Land from his third. He was back on guitar for Mountainside followed by Adieu Sweet Spanish Ladies. Two contrasting songs came next on cello: The Dark Days Are Over from his first album is both melancholic and optimistic while 7 Curses, an old story picked up and turned into a song by Bob Dylan, is very uptempo and shows a very different way to use the cello. He finished the set with Whistleblower and McPherson’s Rant, both on guitar. He was called back for two encores. Firstly The Golden Age on piano and then, when called back for a second time and asked to sing a song in Swedish, he sang a new song which he is in the process of recording for his new album to be released next year.
After the show, we were treated to a meal and a glass or two of her lovely red wine. Well, only one glass for me as I was driving.
Susanna started making wine only 4 years ago. After learning wine-making using chemicals, she changed to using the traditional method and being totally organic for her last harvest. She treads the grapes herself and makes the wine using the natural yeast from the grapes. It is excellent.
The next day we drove up to the castle.
A Visitor On Europe’s Roads 
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