Tag: Weinheim an der Bergstraße

It gets dark

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when you drive in – at least when the old German “Gstanzl” or “Schnadahüpfel” (a fun song with many verses, often in dialect) is to be believed:

Zwische Woinem und Bergene 
do schteiht e Tunnell, wø mer noifährt, 
werd's dunkel, 
wø mer nausfährt, werd's hell!
Holladihi-a holladiho! Holladihopsasa holladiho!

The Ragtag Daily Prompt: Tunnel.

Empty Nest Syndrome

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It can no longer be hidden at this time of year.

Whether it is kind of hidden in the twigs and branches of the barren trees

or openly displayed on top of poles and trunks.

And this particular nest has been empty for years and years and years. When I was little it was used by storks, then there were fewer and the nest stayed empty. Now their numbers are increasing and we have a sizable number returning every spring but they never took again to the nest up on the old tower, nowadays they live in the trees in the plain, closer to their food sources.

One Word Sunday: Empty.

Is new always better?

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This tower has been standing in its place for over 700 hundred years. During this time repairs were occasionally needed, e.g. it got a new roof at one stage, the old, blue-black shimmering slate replaced by red brick tiles – but it nevertheless kept its name: Blauer Hut or Blue Hat. This summer the bodywork needed a repair. Now I am no expert and possibly the mortar between the sandstone bricks didn’t hold anymore and short of demolishing the whole tower and rebuilding it they slapped some material on the outside. It’s new alright and in years to come it might look weathered again, at the moment I just think the new lighter and smooter wall looks ugly.

While I am at it look at the castle ruin to the right in the photo. The summer photo was taken two years ago. The trees were growing close to the castle walls and only the tower and the top parts of the walls could be seen. The winter photo is from a couple of weeks ago. It’s not just the bare branches but the trees around the castle ruin have all but disappeared; this was apparently done for safety reasons, the trees in question being old and in danger of toppling over during the next strong winds. To me the Windeck (Windy Corner) still looks kind of naked but I am starting to appreciate that the new look shows the buildings structure and beauty much better than before

Hence the answer to the question in the title is – not always, but sometimes.

A Photo a Week: Something New.

Chilly?

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Rather!

We not only had snow but it is rather cold enough to stay and instead of turning into a mushy slush it crunches when you walk on it. Chilly it is but also rather lovely.

The Ragtag Daily Prompt: Chilly.

I’m coming home again and again

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When I see these two castles in the distance, I know I’m coming home. No matter what the weather, no matter what time of the year, or even what year it is. I lived in different parts of the world for more than 30 years but these two castles always spelt home for me.



Weinheim is known as the Two Castle Town. so much so that we even have a cookie cutter with their silhouettes.

The Ragtag Daily Prompt: Homecoming.

Travel Challenge #10

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I was nominated by Teresa  and by Margaret to post one travel picture a day for ten days without explanation, then to nominate someone else to participate. That’s 10 days, 10 travel images, and 10 nominations. 

The photos I am going to show in this challenged are from travels around Germany and where chosen to introduce my German language students to various German sites.

Here is my tenth one:

No stress, no nomination. Join in if you want to share your travel memories.

The battle between cloud and sun

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That’s what it looked like here today: The two castles overlooking the old part of town were trying to break to through the mist and reach the sunshine. They never quite made it but it left a wonderful promise for better weather.

Linked to Weekend Sky #11.