Germany - Black Forest

 

Lake Titisee was today's outing. The town is very touristy - not as peaceful as many other German towns. The clouds started looming but we opted for a lake ride anyway. The average depth is approx 20m, the length is 2km with width 700m. It's the largest natural lake in the Black Forest. 

The lake dates back to the last Ice Age!

Legends and stories abound but who knows what is true or false! 

In summer the water temperature can reach a very pleasant 24Degrees yet the lake freezes over in winter so that skating, curling etc can be enjoyed. Mind blowing really. 

There are fish in the lake - Pike, Trout, Roach, Carp, and Tench plus home to Grey Heron.

Sadly, the food was not great at a popular cafe but I don't suppose they care when the town receives 2 million visitors per annum. 

The day ended on a bad note with a 20 Euro Parking ticket. The parking areas are all paid, even in the most obscure places. We put in 4 Euros for 2 hours thinking that would be enough - 30 minutes over time as the heavens opened and the rain came down, we saw a " female cop" dashing away! She vanished into the  air before James could catch her! 

Booms like in SA would be fairer and less stressful as then you pay for the time spent. 20 Euros for 30 minutes is a total rip off! 

Triberg:

Triberg Falls Germany 

Triberg in the Black Forest area of Germany boasts the most cuckoo clocks plus a steep walk up to the falls. The gradient is fairly gentle so we made it!

Triberg Falls Germany

The falls are the highest in Germany. The Gutach falls 160m down via 7 cascades to the town below. 

The squirrels live up to 10 years in the safety of this forest. The Obervogt-Huber-Pine is actually a spruce - they were called "Red Pines" previously.

Triberg Falls Hike Germany

The most common bird in this area is called the "Nutcracker". Their diet is seeds and nuts from the spruce and others and they will store seeds and nuts for winter. We think we saw one but it flew away to fast to capture. 

Ernest Hemingway visited the Triberg Falls in August 1922 - a long way in those days! 

Triberg Falls Germany

The town of Triberg used water power as far back as 1884. There are now 2 turbines - one at the top and another at the bottom. The difference in altitude is over 100m. 

Cuckoo clock shops are fascinating - I did restrain myself as they are very delicate and incredible diverse. Just browsing was pretty awesome! 

Cuckoo Clock Triberg Germany

A fun day!

The Black Forest area in Germany is very pretty and a stunning location for hikers.

We drove thru pretty villages on our way to Kniebis for a hike to the Ellbachseeblink. 

This is in the Ski Lift area and offers numerous hiking paths. 

Next stop was the wolf and bear park. The animals have been rescued and are now living in spacious, forest areas. The area is large and forested. We only saw 1 bear and 1 lynx but it is enough that these animals are now safe and well cared for. 

Further along we stopped at a sawmill to watch a guy picking up logs and then dropping them into the water. From there they would enter the mill. Fun to watch! There are a number of mills around the Black Forest.

The scenery is beautiful, the buildings are gorgeous and we wish we could stay longer!

And so the annual holiday is nearing it's end! We had a rather stressful journey from Hornberg (for me anyway!) on the Autobahn. Traffic was extremely heavy on both north and south routes.

And then we discovered the hotel booked is in an industrial area! However, the positive is the walk along the River Main - 525km long, this tributary starts in Bavaria and joins up with the Rhine. So walks are possible and there is a brewery on site! What more could we wish for? Plus close to Frankfurt airport for flight tomorrow night. For every negative, there is always a positive.

Bye Bye Germany!

Blankenheim Germany

St Goar Rhine Valley Germany

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Germany - Eifel Region

 

Wilder Kermeter Eifel National Park

After our wonderful days along the Middle Rhine Valley, our next stop was the Eifel National Park amd surrounding areas. A blissful 2 weeks were spent in this area - truly pristine and calming piece of Germany. 

Our first walk in the Eifel National Park was at the Wilder Kermeter area. This area is specifically suited to those with handicaps although there were lots of couples with prams as the paths are very smooth and flat. The park has 240 km of hiking trails, 110 km of cycle paths and is extremely popular. The board walk area had some fascinating info on the various mushrooms (10 species) found in the forest - all different shapes and sizes. 

Next was a drive to Heimbach. Our first stop was at Abbey Mariawald for their famous pea soup! Filling and delicious! The road winds up the mountain and appears a favourite with bikers. There were many out today, being Sunday. It is well worth the stop, no matter what the weather. 

Abbey Mariawald Heimbach Germany

Castle Hengebach is perched above the Rur river in Heimbach and the narrow, winding stairs go up and up in the dark! Built in the 11th Century it is among one the oldest buildings in the Eifel region. We did not climb right to the top but the views would be worth it, looking over the town and valley. 

Castle Hengebach Heimbach Germany

River Rur Heimbach Germany

Heimbach is very pretty with a number of half-timbered houses, plenty of pavement cafes and a peaceful river walk (Rur)

All in all a very pleasant day of exploring.

Thunderstorms expected tomorrow! 

Weather so far has been exceptional with temperatures ranging from 28 degrees to coolest 22 degrees.

Day 2:

Deer Park Hellenthal Germany

Today the forecast was thunderstorms and rain. So we opted to visit the Deer Park in Hellenthal. There are various deer - Red deer, fallow deer, roe deer, sika deer plus wild boar. The bird of prey flight show has falcons, buzzards and eagles flying high!  It is a must see.

Deer Park Hellenthal Germany

The area is huge and offers many picnic tables. Ideal for families - the children will be enthralled.

Privately owned. 

The birds of prey are bred and trained by the falconers. 

Deer Park Hellenthal Germany

Driving back we saw beautiful fields of canola ( or whatever it is called in Germany) 

Germany is very green, roads go every which way so without "Betsy" we would be totally lost! 

#TomTom rules! 

Day 3

Bad Munstereifel Germany

Today we visited the town of Bad Munstereifel. As most will remember this area of Germany was devastated by floods July 14th and 15th 2021. The town is beautiful and one can hardly believe that the trickle currently in the River Erft could cause such huge damage. Construction is ongoing nearly 10 months later. Only the odd shop or 2 open in the main historical area. The buildings are stunning so it was very sad to see the devastation. 

Bad Munstereifel Germany

Even in Gemund where we are staying there was flood damage -folk ate still trying to rebuild with partial assistance from the German government. 

But life goes on in Bad Munstereifel - kids chatter on their way home from school but mostly it is quite eerie in the main drag where the noise is quite ear-splitting from the rocks being thrown into skips and the grinding of the many construction machines. 

Bad Munstereifel Germany

 Bringing the memories back of those devastating floods in International TV was rather sobering.

And now the sun is out again!

Day 4

Monshau Germany

Today we set off to visit Monschou, a former cloth making city of the 18th century. The town achieved worldwide fame thru the work of Johann Heinrich Scheibler. We visited the huge Rotes Haus ( Red House)  Museum which shows the history of the cloth making era. The house was built around 1760 and the rooms are furnished as they were for this family residence.

Monshau Germany

This is a town in the Rur Valley and offers quaint streets, pavement cafes, historic buildings and even a house perched right next to the river!  

Monshau Germany

The Protestant Church is built in the middle of the town at the confluence of the Rur and Laufenbach rivers. The first service was held in 1789. 

Despite our hold up at the beginning of the trip due to a previous accident where the officials were measuring from all angles, we enjoyed our day in this historical Town. 

We did a short drive into Belgium - straight road and lots of logging activity. Just to say we were in Belgium!!

Day 5

Lake Rursee Germany

Our cruise on Lake Rursee was magical today. We started off at Schwammenauel. The parking area here is huge - it was nearly empty when we arrived and very full when we left! The boat goes along this beautiful lake with trees on all sides. Yachts, paddle boats, SUP, guys fishing from boats etc. Next stop was Eschauel then Woffelsback (beautiful from the water) then Rurgberg where we turned around for the return journey. All in all a sunny, cheerful day.

Lake Rursee Germany

 

Only problem was that the supermarkets are not open Sundays so we spent some time looking for petrol stations to get some rolls as the fridge is empty! Thank goodness for "Betsy" 

This drive took us thru an area not yet visited so it was all good! 

I find it fascinating that the fields are right next to the roads - no fences in sight. Cycle paths everywhere. 

Eifel Area Germany

Roads are very narrow - single lane in some places. The drivers are pretty good so no hassles. 

Day 6

Fishing on Lake Frielingen Germany

Today we first did the circuit of Lake Freilingen (near Blankenheim). A pretty lake and an area that allows visitors to fish, swim, barbeque or just relax. The lake is fed from a fresh water spring and covers an area of 11 hectares. The deepest part is 10 metres. 

Lake Freilingen Germany

Sadly, there was a plaque for a little 8 yr old with 3 teddies. Presumably she drowned.

Lots of walkers out, swimmers in the lake - yikes in the cold! And a lone guy paddling a boat and fishing. A lovely walk in the fresh air.

Lake Freilingen Germany

Next we visited the lovely historic centre of Blankenheim. Featuring numerous half-timbered buildings, a beautiful old hotel, city gateways, the water mill that was part of the medieval system to supply water to Castle Grafenburg and cobbled streets. 

Blankenheim Germany

The river Ahr runs through the cellar of a house in the town apparently. Not sure if I would fancy owning that building! 

We walked up to the castle - it is apparently now either a guest house or something similar. 

The views of the town from above were worth the many steps.

Blankenheim Germany

"Betsy" took us via villages, agricultural fields, a highway and much round and about to get us to Lake Freilingen. Nobody knows how her mind works! Thankfully the way back to Gemund was quick and easy. 

A great outing and a wonderful walk.

Day 7

Our accommodation in Gemund Germany

We left Gemund this morning in the rain! The receptionist has a brother in Goodwood, Cape Town so maybe will will see her in the future. 

Our walking trail in Gemund Germany

The rain carried on for most of the trip, at times just a drizzle and other times a downpour with poor visibility. The last part of the journey to Saarbrucken was on the Autobahn. Traffic was fairly heavy. Road works in places. 

Thailand is known as " The Land of Smiles" - Germany should be "The Land of Trees" The trees are incredible and everywhere just so green. 

The area all around the Eifel is so pristine that's its been a wonderful experience.

Ideal for hikers, bikers, those looking for colourful villages and interesting history - The Eifel has it all!

Hiking Path Gemund

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Germany - Middle Rhine Valley

 

Hotel Boat Rhine Valley

Our long awaited holiday after 2 years of Covid eventually arrived.

It was an uneventful flight except for the guy behind coughing and sneezing all night! 

Thankfully, we were all obliged to wear our masks during the flight.

So off we headed very early to find our accommodation in Lorch. We soon hit a snag as the road to Rudesheim was closed. So our driving in circles trying to get onto the correct road turned out to be a 4 hour exercise! So much for German efficiency! Or perhaps, our inefficiency!

 We did eventually find the village after driving a hellava long way thru a forest. Totally exhausted and ready to sleep after stocking up at the local Rewe supermarket.

The Middle Rhine Valley stretches for approx.65 km from Bingen & Rudesheim in the south to Koblenz in the North. The terraced slopes have vineyards, the villages are interesting and the castles go back a thousand years - some now just ruins. Traffic on the Rhine is constant - barges, hotel boats, sightseeing vessels. It's a fascinating sight daily. 

Our first day dawned sunny and bright with a high of 28degrees forecast. So we set off to find the pleasure boat dock. We found one in Kaub but the chap could not really explain the routes in English, so we opted for tickets to St. Goarshausen. It's a lovely short cruise and we were feeling very jealous of the Hotel Boats!

The famous Loreley Rock is just that - a huge rock! The river narrows to 130 m wide at this point and the legend lives on. 

We popped into a pleasant restaurant Rheingold in the village of St Goarshausen.

It made for a friendly and welcoming lunch spot and a very different cheese sandwich. Tons of cheese on top of Rye bread with olives, onion and some tomato. A large Konig Pils went down well. After lunch a drive to just before Koblenz. We tried to find a castle to visit but were not successful. 

Day 2:

Such a fun day today! We took the car ferry across the Rhine to the other side for a day of exploring. The castle in the river is called Pfalzgrafenstein - this has a 5 sided tower and white walls. Built as a Toll Station originally. 

 Our next stop was the beautiful village of Bacharach with the entrance thru city walls into a village that appears to be from a bygone era. The Altes Haus goes back to 1368. Imagine! It is now a restaurant. 

Altes Haus Bacharach Germany

The Postenturm Tower is high up on the hill and offers amazing views over the town and the Rhine. The hills behind are covered in vines - mainly Riesling. The ruins are Wernekapelle - the roof collapsed in 1689 after the French blew up the castle.

The church is St Peter stands tall and proud.

Bacharach Germany

 

We drove past quaint villages until we decided to stop in Boppard. This town has a lovely walk along the river, flowers, lots of trees and a gent with a truck, water tank and hose. He was watering all the geranium boxes along the river! 

We decided to try some German pizza at Ristorante Pizzeria Albona. A very friendly chap fetched us an English menu and was most obliging to make our pizza with a thin base. Watching the endless traffic on the Rhine is fascinating. The daily count passing Boppard is approx 300 per day!  300 millions tons of goods are transported every year! And then the trains run frequently with goods as well. 

View of the bend in the Rhine above Boppard, Germany

Sesselbahn Boppard - Germany

Next up was an amazing ride in a chairlift Sesselbahn Boppard. Boppard is called "the Pearl of the Rhine" and it is easy to see why during this 20 min ride over vineyards and thru forests to the top of the hill. 

Paragliding also happens from the top and there are bike trails and hiking trails. 

Our drive back to the ferry crossing was the end of a magic day! 

Day 3:

Bingen - Rhine - Germany

The day dawned cloudy, with a very cold wind. So we took the car ferry across the Rhine (great fun) and then a drive to Bingen. Bingen is a large town where old meets new. There is loads of construction happening in the old industrial area on the river. Very smart looking apartment complexes. The promenade walk was just what we needed with some beautiful flowers and trees. Chairs are provided and we saw many couples, families or singles relaxing with a book and just enjoying the tranquillity. And the pavement cafes were fairly busy as well. 

The roads are pretty narrow but driving is fine - we just don't understand the weird cement bits sticking out into the road? Perhaps to slow down traffic? 

The car ferry at Kaub is always busy Euro 6.50 per trip. It's quick and efficient. 

And so ends our trip in this beautiful part of the world. We have not got tired of gazing out of our apartment and seeing the constant stream of boats. It's been amazing! 

Perhaps too short a stay as so much more to do and see!

Rhine Valley Germany

Postenturm - Rhine Valley Germany

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