PHOTOS FROM THE WHOLE THING

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. Well, one would hope so, since I've written more than a thousand words. Hence, I've posted more than one picture. These will take you on a magi-tastical wonder-gorical journey from the thrills of the Nürburgring, to the Alps of Bavaria and the Smarts of Dresden. Enjoy

* some photos can be enlarged by clicking on them. But not all. See if you can guess which ones

More from the greatest racetrack in the world

The town of Nürburg. At top of photo is the new circuit. The old circuit sweeps between the new circuit and town and disappears into the Eifel Mountains for 21 beautiful kilometres

Yep, I was the one in the Renault Scenic. Sorry about that. Thanks for painting your car bright orange so I could see you coming

Sharon gets used to the new camera at Pflantzgarten 1. A popular corner for spectators, even on tourist days there's a busy bratwurst stand.

first it gets a little crowded and then...

The ADAC truck comes out as if to say "don't let this happen to YOU"

"Didja see the guy in the Renault Scenic?? I mean, I've seen some pretty stupid stuff out here..."

The wonderful, friendly, and very fast Sabine Schmitz. She likes cooking, gardening, and heaps of oversteer...

Sabine's taxi. BMW M5, V8 with 400hp. Track closures are annoying but are the only chance to see the Ring Taxis stationary. Behind her out of photo is German Touring car legend Jörg Muller in the other one

There is this 10th century castle in Nurburg...

...but who cares..? When there's stuff like this

Two weeks later...

Bavarian Cows think they are better than other German cows

Neuschwanstein Schloss, King Ludwig's (and Richard Wagner's) fairy castle. Sorry, Freudian slip. I meant fairy-tale castle.

Marko was taking a picture of me taking pictures, so Sharon took a picture of Marko

Is this the closest I will ever get to snow??

Now there's something you don't see every day

Hello. My name is Mufasa and I'm an alcoholic

The hills are alive with the sound of Munich

This is somewhat slower than my other Bimmer

Frauenkirche, official reopening scheduled for a week after we left (D'oh!)

Arts Academy and three loiterers, Dresden

if you buy in bulk you get this free stackable carry case

Claudi and Jogy Bear at Schloss Pillnitz

Dresden from atop the Frauenkirche. Vertigo not pictured

Zwinger, Dresden

Still bombed...awaiting restoration

The Fuerstenzug, procession of Saxon Kings. All mosaics. Very artistic. In there somewhere is...

August the Strong. Or possibly Lord Farquaad from Shrek. Whoever he is, it must take a lot of Brasso to keep him clean.

Albrechtsburg Schloss, with Gothic Cathedral, Meissen (near Dresden). The painting in the foreground, by the way, was excellent. In the castle, so careful were they about the parquetry floors , that you were made to wear...

...these. They are bigger than the photo suggests!

And we got there in this. Did I mention we.... never mind.