Continuation of Traveling with Rob to La Belle France

I had phoned Rob when I arrived late last night. He had asked me to compose a short note in French to confirm a hotel reservation in Mons, the last destination of our planned sightseeing trip. He had been able to make all other arrangements in either English or German. Glad to show off my French skills, I took this task very seriously and sacrificed quite a bit of time and paper. Finally, this note, written in my neatest handwriting, is faxed off to the hotel with the romantic name of Le Castello de Braye et Mons. The next day, I met Rob in Stuttgart, and we had a wonderful excursion to Heidelberg. I had never been to this famous tourist attraction before. After climbing on a cobblestone road up to the imposing ruin, we enjoy sitting in the shade of a budding Linden tree in the idyllic garden cafe. While eating a delicious apple Strudel, we watch little sparrows hop from branch to castle wall, cheerfully chirping and nimbly picking up seeds and crumbs. I remember old photographs of my mom in her youth posing as a charming tour guide with groups of mostly American tourists in front of these walls. Sitting here with Rob, I suddenly feel her spirit surround