Cyclingholiday along the river Main

Three years ago my husband and I cycled along the Main from Bayreuth as far as Würzburg. That year we travelled on to Nuremberg and a medieval festival in Abenberg. This year we had decided to cycle along the remaining part of the Main and although it turned out a longer distance than expected, it was the most comfortable cycle trip we did so far.

We took the train to Würzburg and after lunch beside the famous old bridge we cycled to Gemünden, the first stop, about 52 km.

 It was a perfect day for cycling: sunny, but not too hot, no wind except at our backs, even cycling paths under a blue sky, beside fields of grains, gras and many colorful flowers and hills with grape wine.

 We passed by the first castle ruins, watching us from the top of the hills.

The next day we saw many more castle ruins and well kept castles. We also visited the home of Snow White and stayed in a small place of wine growers called Homburg.

Sometimes we saw som special treat beside the cycle path:

The 3rd day took us to Freudenberg - the main reason for this trip. This place is the home of one of the best destilleries of fruit brandy and German Whisky, which I sell at work. We got some samples to taste and were allowed to look at the casks, where the Whisky is sleeping, as well as a smal tour through the destillery.

The following day started just as sunny and promising, but during our lunch break a soft summer rain started and stayed with us most of the afternoon. Luckily there was no wind and no thunder storm although they were forecasted for the area all week.

That night we stayed with a friendly couple offering their attic flat via Airbnb. We had plenty of space to dry our wet stuff and enjoyed a very lazy evening.

The next morning we had a look at the castle and market of Aschaffenburg and cycled on to Seligenstadt where I had a look at the local cloister.

Next we climbed the hill in Steinheim for a look at the castle and then moved on to Offenbach. There were plenty of clouds that day and some looked loaded with rain, but those never were above us. We even enjoyed a break beside a ferry, still taking cars across the Main.

When we had checked into our hotel that day, we still had energy left and walked down to the river to enjoy a wonderful sunset playing with clouds down there.

The last day took us along Frankfurt to Mainz. We were suprised about the modern outskirts of the city and the green surroundings of the cycle paths. As it was a Sunday, it was busy but we never had to get off our bikes.

 There was a long stretch of urban gardening.

 All day arriving and starting planes were above us.

 In Mainz the river Main flows into the river Rhein.

That night we spent at the youth hostel - on top of a hill as usually. Then it was time to say goodbye to the rivers and travel home. We were tempted to cycle on but had already booked our train tickets.

 We had some time to spare while changing trains in Frankfurt and went down to the Main once again to say goodbye.

At home a wonderful sky welcomed us.

Visiting the Vikings near Berlin

Last weekend I made a trip to a small place near Berlin. It was a medieval and viking festival where Dunkelschoen were playing. Of course I had to be there as well!

It took me 3 different trains and 2 busses to get to the field where constant drizzle made the ground muddy and slippery. On my arrival I met some friends from Berlin and joined them in a dry corner beside the mead-stall rather than wandering along the craft stalls or watching the battles in the rain.

When the first band of the day "Fabula" started to play on the stage, the rain finally stopped! And the blue sky made more people joining the festival at last.

At this time Dunkelschön arrived and I could prepare my stall with Dunkelschoen goodies:

All afternoon friends, acquaintances and fans from lasst year's concerts came to say hello and some stayed for longer chats. Time went by rather fast and then it was time for Dunkelschoen:

During the concert the sun set behind the forest and viking camp:

The atmosphere was fantastic and everyone had lots of fun, on stage and in front of it!

Have a look at the preparations, the fun and the after-show party click here

St. Patrick's Day with fond memories

Exactly one year ago we were celebrating St. Patrick's Day in Mitchelstown, enjoying the town's parade and Guinness in Walsh's Bar.

This year we worked all day, but our "Ireland" daughter came home to cook a real Irish meal

 Lasagne with chips

and Banoffee Pie which both remind her of her 7 months in Ireland.

Of course we also had Guinness

and some wee drops of Whiskey and Moonshiner - our souvenirs from Eire.

 

 

Forest covered in Spring Snowflakes

Every spring one of the forests near our home gets covered with spring snowflakes.

As the name of this flower - looking almost like snowdrops - is "Marchcup" in German, it's easy to remember when to go to the forest to see this amazing flower carpet. Still, I don't manage every year to see it. Last week our older daughter came for a visit from up north and when I collected her from the station I suggested a visit to the forest. As the weather was sunny and there were no other appointments, she agreed. It was still a bit early to see the flowers in their outstanding beautiy, but we enjoyed it anyway.

It was also perfect to talk about everything that happened since our daughter's last visit and to hear about her plans. Hopefully she'll remember this walk whenever she sees some spring snowflakes somewhere.....

Medieval Spring in Town

While the weather usually was sunny and clear during the past years while the mystical medieval fair was in town, this year it was rather uncomfortable outside. At least it only rained on Friday when I was working anyway. 

The program was really full - but as the area for all the entertainment and stalls was even bigger than before, it was rather difficult to see and hear everything. There were also less people dressed in medieval clothes and so it felt like a town party and less than medieval times. 

On Saturday I only spent some hours in town before going to the pagan concert. I fell in love with a dress,

found a tiny harp on one of the stages,

and had a look at the stalls without buying anything, as I just try to own less things.

On Sunday I had planned to climb up this church to have a look on the festival, but the tower was closed.

Luckily the church in the town center kept it's tower open and I could climp up high to look down!

Although the musicians are hard to recognize, their music with bag pipes was loud enough to hear up in the church tower!

After a final stroll I ended up at the main stage with the fire show to end the event.

If you want to see more of my photos, please click here.