From Koblenz there is a cable car across the Rhine leading up to the fortress Ehrenbreitstein. For an even better view a huge viewing platform has been constructed up on the hill plateau.
And contrasting this rather large construction, here is a little detail on how to beautify rails – also close to the Rhine but in Düsseldorf.
Linked to the Friendly Friday Photo Challenge: Rails.
This sculpted group stands in Lampertheim, a salute to the asperagus farmers and sellers right in the centre of the traditional asperagus growing regions. I stress traditional because with the advent of plastic covering on fields (and a bit of help from global warming) white asperagus is farmed in many areas of Germany. In the wide Rhine valley the climate was always favourable and in combination with the sandy soil which has come on southerly winds from the Sahara dessert for aeons it became ideal for this spring vegetable. Germans eat “Spargel” with a passion and the season is from early spring until traditionally 24 June in order to give the plants time to recuperate before the next season. To this day more than half of the German asparagus is sold on roadside stands and in open markets.
Linked to Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Tables, Chairs, Picnic Tables, etc.
“I am not the same having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world. “
Mary Anne Radmacher, author
I misread the quote (possibly deliberately):
“I am not the same having seen the moonshine on the other side of the world.”
Linked to Travel with Intent. More photos inspired by the quotation of Mary Anne Radmacher can be found here.
It’s a question of perspective: the stork looks down and I look up to him.
And it even looks down on tall towers, water towers, and
church spires, and
artisans’ trees.
Or real trees.
Looking up, it’s more than one bird,
yet the single one stands out
even as it settles down.
Linked to Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge: Point your camera upwards.
The epitome of naughtiness are these two rascals, called Max and Moritz.
The poet and illustrator Wilhelm Busch brought their story to paper with his characteristic drawings and accompanying rhymed couplets. To this day their mischievous pranks delight children and adults alike. Many Germans can quote part of the story.
It is undisputed that Busch was a direct ancestor of all comic books. Max und Moritz inspired the cartoon strip Katzenjammer Kids in the US and from there his influence spread.
Many shops and restaurants are named after them. Here it is a pharmacy.
And here a restaurant which is fitting because their first prank involved first killing and then stealing and eating the chicken of a widow.
However, chips weren’t invented yet in 1860 when Busch wrote and illustrated the story.
Linked to Friday Fun: naughty.
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