Tag: Germany

Aren’t You Glad You Have a Machine?

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This sculpture has been erected in honour of Karin I, the Fountain Queen of 1981, in Oberursel (and don’t ask me anything else about the privileges and duties of a fountain queen). It is called the Wäschfraa-Brunnen or washerwoman fountain.

The square is called “An der Bleiche” and there are many squares and streets named in the area or even in Germany with this or a similar name. It translates as bleach and it was the place where clothes could be dried and bleached in the sun. It was located near running water where the women did their washing.

One Word Sunday: Wash, Washed or Washing

Institutional Building

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Built little more than 135 years ago, this building has served as a place for people with disabilities due to age, illness or congenital conditions. The level of care depended on the spirit of the time, some times were better than others. It is now being transformed into residential apartments. Some building will stay, some are being demolished.

The house facade, a combination of clinker in two colours, dates the building. The geometrical patterns are typical of the late 19th century as are the sandstone frames around the windows.

The walled up windows have been so for ages, most of the glass panes have been broken, I’ll keep watching what will remain.

Monday Window

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The Winter Locals

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In summer this is the beach of the local lake, busy with children of all ages, splashing in the water, laying in the sun, building sand castles, playing ball and generally enjoying themselves, joyously and usually noisily. In winter it’s quiet and there are different folks frequenting the water and the beach: geese and coots and ducks and swans and cormorants. They seem to be enjoying themselves just as much as the summer visitors.

Water, Water Everywhere