[Leica] Trip to Alsace, even a little OT Content...

[Stephen Alred <salred@toad.net>]

I enjoyed a wonderful 8 days in Alsace over the recent holidays -- I can't 
recommend the region, the people, or the cuisine too highly!  I do have a 
few comments that relate to some recent threads, so here goes:

- -- Kit

* M6 "Classic" w/ 35mm Summicron & 90mm Tele-Elmarit (the skinny one) -- 
both lenses of mid '70's vintage
* IIIf BD with 50mm collapsible Summicron
* M-Classics bag

- -- Comments on the kit
* I used Kodak Supra 400 in the M and Tri-X in the IIIf.  The Supra, IMHO, 
did wonderfully in some incredibly changeable weather, most of it 
bad.  Very nice colors/contrast for the conditions.
* Try as I might, I cannot find where I *truly* needed a 
longer/wider/faster lens.  The very most I might go for is a second M body, 
but not likely.  I may have to find another vice.
* The IIIf was enough fun that it has earned a trip to DAG for a CLA and a 
new beam splitter.
* The bag worked out very well, although when it is hung straight from the 
shoulder it can gape open alarmingly -- at least it alarmed my hosts (who 
spent the entire time in the Strasbourg cathedral warning of 
pickpockets).  Carrying the bag with the strap across the chest makes 
everything hang easily within reach, and the wide strap is 
comfortable.  The only problem is that it restricted access inside my 
jacket to my wallet -- wait a minute, maybe that wasn't a problem after all...

- -- Comments on Alsace

Wow.  As one LUGger commented off-line when I first sought suggestions 
regarding this trip, "German portions with French refinement."  Wonderful 
food and drink at every turn.  I stayed with a friends family in the small 
village of Saint-Jean Saverne, northwest of Strasbourg, where we attended a 
Christmas Eve service in a 900 year old church, the entire village 
squeezing into the pews.  The Vosges mountains were spectacular in fog, 
rain, snow, clouds, sun -- you name it.  I hope to return at a time a year 
when I can take advantage of the many hiking trails (which conveniently 
lead to the next village and its restaurants and bakers...).   I highly 
recommend a visit to this region, and a trip down the "Wine Route" -- did I 
mention the incredible Gewurztraminer "Vendages Tardive" (late harvest) 
wine I had...

Oh, well, time to return to the quiet desparation,

Steve Alred
Croom, Maryland