Life is good

Coming home from Frankfurt on Monday means that this week’s been a day short, somehow.  Long lists of things to be done meant that we felt a bit shortchanged  and the weekend was upon us before we’d really noticed.

It’s been a fun week, though.  I’d arranged to spend an afternoon with my WI – Avening – making small books and enjoyed a happy time with friends, gossiping, drinking tea, sampling Chris’s excellent biscuits and admiring their finished projects.  We are a talented bunch, I can tell you!

I have had great difficulty deciding what to wear this week, though, because one minute it’s been hot and humid, the next minute, the heavens have opened and there’s been a downpour.  Still, we’ve been lucky to avoid the worst of the weather, thank goodness.

I have been rather preoccupied though, trying to get things done and knowing that I was working all day Friday and teaching a class Saturday morning too.  I love to be busy.  I like nothing better than to spend my days going from one thing to another; working with interesting people and to come home at the end of the day feeling that I’ve made a difference.  But at times, I find myself asking if I’m juggling one plate too many – and this was indeed one of those weeks.  Something had to go and sadly I didn’t make it to my book group.  I still intend to read the book, most probably on the plane sometime next week.

Because yes, another jaunt is imminent and I’m hoping that by the time we’re back, this lot will be gone.  Builders and their bits and pieces seem to have become part of the furniture around here and it would be lovely to come home to a clean and finished drive.  We paid the stonemason a visit yesterday, to discuss a new house name (Seaview?)  and I was delighted to hear him say that he’d hand cut the letters in the stone on this one, rather than machine or sandblast it.  Ever since I did a bit of stone cutting with my Mum a few years ago, I’ve so admired the skills needed to cut letters well and I’m looking forward to seeing the end result.

A bring and share lunch at work yesterday meant that a brown rice salad was needed.  Except I went without it to begin with and had to turn back!  Maybe another sign of having just one or two things on my mind right now?

Still, a fun couple of hours making cards with the ladies of Benhall WI in Cheltenham was a great way to spend a Saturday morning.  We sprayed ink and got some marvellous results, some of which were made into cards.

They made some beauties!

Now, I’ve just got to put everything away into my studio before I begin on tackling the remaining things on my list.  Tempting though it is to leave it till tomorrow, I know that if I don’t get on with it now…

it’ll still be there looking at me tomorrow, when I’ll have a whole new list of things to do!

and there’s more…

I know, we pack a lot into our travels, always trying to fill every day as much  as we can.  A reasonably sunny Sunday morning and a rental car in the garage was an open invitation to go out and find some fun.

We decided to head northwards and discover somewhere new – Marburg, a medieval university town on the “Märchenstraße” – the fairytale road of the Brothers Grimm.

Just over an hour after leaving the city, we’d parked the car and were ready to explore, thankful of the helpful map which was posted at the entrance to the car park. 

The thing is, this flat map offered no clue to the topography of the town and seeing the castle perched high above where we stood, we knew we were in for some exercise.

Thankfully, there were lifts!

A quick ride brought us out into the old town; a pedestrianised area of cobbled streets and beautiful buildings clustered around a market place.

 

This is the town of Sophie of Brabant and in the corner of the marketplace, there was a rather elegant statue of her and her son, Heinrich.

Only now, do I realise that I failed to take a photograph of her finely sculpted skirts and elegant stance, because this is a lovely figure.  But of course, someone else has taken the photograph that I didn’t…

But never mind mooching around here, waiting for the clock to chime eleven, there are places to see, a castle to visit - and steps to climb.

Oh, just a minute…the clock strikes eleven and the bird perching above the window sounds a rather weedy “toot” from high up above us all.  Is that it?

It would appear so, yes.  Taking a last look at this lovely figure of St Elizabeth (Sophie’s mother and founder of the church bearing her name here in Marburg) on the side of the town hall, we can put it off no longer.

It’s time to go up to the castle.  We choose to walk up a steep pathway rather than take steps up there and from time to time I stop to take a picture (or more truthfully, get my breath back)

The views from the pathway are lovely and the fresh, clear air is perfect for such a walk.

 

The crooked tower of the Marienkirche was clear to see from this angle, in fact, the whole roof looked decidedly “freeform”

Lovely, though – especially those little attic windows.

In fact, I thought the best bit about being up here was the view over the medieval rooftops, the motorway there in the background in stark contrast to these beautiful slate roofs.

The castle itself, now part of the university, wasn’t open to look around and we contented ourselves with looking out rather than in.

We liked the way the houses are built high into that small valley over there, looking like a flow of lava coming from some volcano.

Around the other side, the twin spires of the Elizabeth church could be seen, right down there in the lower town.

By now, though, we were feeling peckish and making our way back down to the marketplace by a different route, we stopped to gaze at this beautiful house.  Actually, it was a good reason to rest a couple of aching knees and agree that on occasions, the way down is as tough going as the way up!

Taking photographs in such a narrow street, it’s hard to do this beautiful house justice and the light wasn’t that good now the sun had gone behind a cloud.  But look at those wonderful architectural details, the little windows, turrets and gables.

Isn’t it a great colour scheme, too?

But lunch is calling and we spotted a likely place on our way up the hill earlier.  We choose a table for two in the sunshine and with our hefeweizen, schnitzel and cheese spaetzle are content for an hour or so.

Dessert is to be found further down the street!

Returning to Frankfurt for another concert this evening, we agreed how great it is to be back in Germany.  We feel very comfortable here and our short weekend jolly has been a delight!

Thank you, Joachim Raff

Because if you hadn’t been the founding Director of the Dr Hoch’s Konservatorium here in Frankfurt, we wouldn’t have been here to enjoy our weekend.

Not forgetting to thank my hero too, because had it not been for his efforts on Raff’s behalf, the choir wouldn’t have had any music to sing this evening.  It was just a couple of short years ago that Die Sterne was heard for the first time at a recording  in Sweden and I encourage you to follow that link and hear it for yourself.  If you’re short of time, go straight to the fourth movement!

The walk to the Konservatorium was, like many of our Frankfurt walks, hindered by road works!  Sadly, it wasn’t the stroll along the riverbank as we imagined, but a brisk step along a deserted road.

The concert was super.  Of course, you will be able to read a full and detailed review here when you know who has dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s.  The young horn player in Die Sterne was outstandingly good and it was definitely one of those concerts which left us humming the whole way back to our hotel.

For it was a remarkably quiet walk back along empty streets until a collective “oooooohhhhh!” was heard from a nearby beergarden.  As it stated on the blackboard leaning by the door:

“Deutschland v Griechenland.  It’s payback time!”

We went into the hotel bar for a nightcap and watched the emotional roller coaster ride as it happened.  There was no need of the TV screen because the crowd told us all we needed to know!

Germany 4  Greece 2.

Result.

Ready to roll?

I know, you were having such fun reading that silly Google Translate page about the Eisernersteg, weren’t you? 

“Before the Iron Bridge was built, there were in the former magistrate under Mayor Daniel Henry guts of black stone numerous submissions and discussions on the part of the people who complained that currently the only bridge was not enough communication with the southern parts of the city and the surrounding area to . Never and never to improve, it said, could the old bridge the increasing cab rides to the train stations to cope with the loads of stone, and especially the increased loads of beer. But the magistrate was stubbornly whether the cost of this project.”

Of course, you could always read it in German ;-)  But you got the gist of it, I think?

Anyway, let’s go around the corner, past the end of the former "Rapulzelgaesschen” towards the Dom (cathedral), which isn’t really a Dom at all, it seems.

These old buildings are so lovely and very evocative.  We love the small turrets, the little oriel windows and the little attic windows in the roof.  It’s easy to get a crick in the neck from looking up there, isn’t it?

I’m not so sure about much of the graffiti in this part of town, though this quirky little group on a building screen near the U-bahn is fun, don’t you think?

Come on, rather than hang about we’ll go right inside…oh, wow.

It’s so light and airy in here and the modern stained glass windows are so attractive.  Shall we stop a while and read how it was rebuilt in the 1950’s, whilst at the same time admiring one or two of the memorials around the walls?

I think this chap has a rather fine swan-shaped helmet, but have no idea who he is.  He turns out to be Rudolf von Sachsenhausen – all credit to Google Images!

As we leave, I thought I’d point out that the Three Kings have visited and left their chalk mark on the door.  Did you know about that tradition in German speaking countries?

Back into the main shopping street then, and look who’s here on the street corner!  He’ll think we’re stalking him, won’t he?

Now, I can’t pass by this particular lebkuchen shop without stepping inside and spending a little money on some yummy Elisen to bring home.  How kind of the assistant to let us try a sample or two too!

I think we can manage without a “Bananen Blitzschneider” from the shop next door, though, don’t you?  However, another shop is calling me from across the street…

I’ve seen some interesting products from Faber-Castell recently.  I wonder if they have them in stock?

Sadly, though the gentleman is remarkably helpful, the products don’t appear to be available outside the USA.  He is keen to show me the contents of this chest, however; the grand prize in a recent Facebook draw, won by a woman in Brazil, he says.  Apparently, someone bought three of these chests last week – it wasn’t you, was it, Dorothy?

Accompanied by some very jolly xylophone tunes played by two young men outside Peek and Cloppenburg (lovely name, isn’t it?), we’ll stagger the last few metres along the Zeil to Konstablerwache, where we began our stroll this morning.  My hero is talking about his aching back and I’m rather ready for a cup of tea as well.

Let’s leave the afternoon shoppers to it, shall we?

Walk with us in Frankfurt

You are definitely going to need your comfortable shoes on this morning.  I’ve got the map and my hero will keep us on the right track, I’m sure.  Before I left home, I did a little internet search to find a particular shop and this morning, we’re going to try to find it, OK?

Setting out from our hotel, the weather looks fine and it feels good to get some fresh air, doesn’t it?  Not many people are up and about yet and a city centre street is pretty much the same the world over.  We’re right by the Konstablerwache station, by the way, in case such things are important to you.  We’ll walk towards the river Main, down Kurt-Schumacher Strasse (no jokes about the speed of the traffic making it feel like Michael Schumacher Strasse, please!)

But though one city centre looks much like another, somehow this could only be Germany.  Something about the building style, the street furniture and so on.

OK, yes, I spotted that clue as well!

We need to cross a large junction, where the inner ring road crosses our street.  There across the road is the Jewish Museum of Frankfurt, with an intriguingly shaped roofline.  Come on, we must behave ourselves and with true German obedience, we have to stand and wait for the green signal to cross, even though there isn’t a car anywhere in sight.  We don’t want a tap on the shoulder, as happened to Tante Hilde that time, do we?

Looking at the letterboxes at the front door of that apartment building, are you thinking what I’m thinking?  That if everyone but one has a “no junk mail” sticker on his letterbox, the one who doesn’t have such a thing is going to get the lot?  Hmmm….

Oh, here we are at the river – the Main is quite a large, fast flowing one at this point and we’re crossing the Alte Brucke.

There’s a fine view of the city from here, with the tower blocks of the financial district over there.

A couple of oarsmen are getting in some practice too.  Nice stroke!

Looking over my left shoulder, I can see a new construction over there and my hero thinks that we’re heading in that direction when we go to the concert tonight.  Could be quite a nice walk along the riverside, if it stays dry.

Over on the Sachsenhausen side of the river, however, we need to think about where we’re going.  It all looks pretty residential around here and I hope we’re going in the right direction.

Would you just check on the map for me?  We’re aiming for Oppenheimer Strasse…or was it Oppenheimer Land Strasse?  I really ought to have checked…

Though there are some beautiful, grand residences on this street, it really doesn’t look right.  Oh dear.

Aha.  We’re in Schweizerplatz and suddenly I can spot one or two shops there amongst the trees.  Did I hear a sigh of relief?  You bet!

These are smallish, one-off shops, with interesting and stylish goods for sale.  This little tea shop has a beautiful display out on the terrace.  Shall we call in and take a closer look later?

I don’t want to stop now, because my goal is in sight – over there, the black and terracotta shop.  Stepping inside, I can see a comfy sofa, so you can sit and chat to my hero whilst I try on a few things, ok?

I’ll only be a minute  an hour!  Oh, and that DM store there has a great selection of cosmetics and other stuff.  Just a tick….

Well, that was worth the detour wasn’t it?  I think I owe you a drink, so shall we stop at the Eiscafe Milano?  What do you mean I’m carrying all the money anyway?

I really don’t mind ;-) 

Now, do please be careful of all these cyclists!  I know there’s a cycle lane on the roadside but somehow, these people prefer to ride on the pavement.  None of them use a bell, so we’ll just have to watch out.  Let’s return to the riverside and walk along the promenade to cross over to the old town by a different bridge, shall we?

What a lovely green space and who can blame those people for bringing their lunch out onto the waterside on such a fine day?  But watch out, more bikes here, too.

Wow…can you see that huge barge…where’s it from?  Belgium we think, or at least that’s where the two cars parked on the roof are registered.  Mustn’t it be strange to live and work on such a barge, moving form one place to the next the whole time?  What about school?

Right, here we are at the Eiserner Steg, the pedestrian bridge where hopefully, we won’t get run over by a mad cyclist!

I love the font of the carved stone sign, don’t you?  And how are your knees holding up?  Mary, I’m sorry, there are no lifts on this side of the river…can you manage?

Oh look, they’re fixing padlocks to this bridge like they do in Paris – do you know about that?  I can’t remember where it is, but feel sure I’ve read somewhere that young couples have almost covered a bridge there with these little symbols of love.

Here, have a read and see what you reckon!  Here on the Eiserner Steg, there are not that many – yet.

Is that menu you just picked up?  Funny that, I was just beginning to feel a little peckish, too.  It’s a while since breakfast and here in the Romer area of the old town, there are a few likely looking places.

What will it be, then?  Well, there’s no decision to be made really, is there?  Haxen and Kartoffelpuffer with applesauce!  (Pork knuckle and potato pancakes)

Oh, and of course…

Hefeweizen!  Our favourite beer tastes so good when freshly served and drunk in the sunshine and I’m not so good at talking when there’s a plate of delicious food in front of me.  Shall we meet up again in a bit?  There might even be time for some culture this afternoon!

Cheers!