How does your garden grow?

I miss not being able to garden this year. Our terrace is bare, the pots empty waiting to be cleaned before we pack them up. Gardening is a lot of work and given the fact that we won't be around to see the fruit of my labor, I have just dropped the idea of even giving it a go. Plus, I am saving myself the heartache of then finding them new homes. 

So tell me, how are your spring gardens coming along??

Baby's day out(Part 2)

I wish there was a continuity in my posts, but I will save both myself and you my rant. Let's just say, I am fed up of waiting for the kids to get their summer holidays. Honestly, the academic year in Deutschland seems to drag, and the sudden surge in heat is not helping at all. Just a few days ago we were kind of shivering cause it felt like a mild winter instead of summer and now, all we want to do is take refuge in our cool cellars.

So back to today's post, part 2 of my beautiful day out at Würzburg. If you read part 1, you will know that I made the trip alone without family. My intention was to walk the vineyards of the Marienberg fortress. 

After reaching the top of the fortress, I was lost!! Yes, completely. Have you seen the boards which tell you "You are here" and give directions to go about a tourist spot. Well, I could figure out where was I, but for the life of me couldn't figure out how to get out of the huge walls and into the vineyards. After pondering for a while as to whether to give up and go back the way I came or head on over to the ticket counter and ask for directions, I chose the latter. Only that I wanted the directions in English. The poor guy fumbled and managed to give me a long set of lefts and rights and tunnels!!! No wonder I couldn't figure it out.

Once I reached the entrance, all I wanted to do was a little jig. The arched rugged stone entry with the breath taking views, took me a long time to recover.

Then on, it was a slow steady walk of 40 minutes downhill(photography, pausing and sighing with happiness and short breaks on the benches provided are not taken into account). I witnessed men at work in the vineyards. The fruit looked like it needed more time to grow. Maybe the harvest is in autumn? Just wondering.

The descent provided breathtaking views over the city wit the brightly coloured roof tops, church steeples and blue skies.

If you looked upwards, you could see the fortress looking beautiful as ever.

I didn't keep track of how long I took to walk through the green vines. I was in no rush. I wanted to take in the sights slowly without a soul around to disturb me. Occasionally there was a tourist panting and climbing uphill, one asked me how far was the entrance. There's no fun walking uphill with all the beauty behind you. 

Now if I tell you that on reaching the foothills of the vineyards, I was treated to a heavy downpour, would you believe me?? :D

P.S: The Lohrer Beer festival begins today. Do not forget to drop by my facebook page where I will be posting all the action.

Baby's day out(Part 1).

Only that the baby was me...:-)

Yesterday, Ms A had a school trip to attend to. With both the kids away the entire day I had 8 hours all to myself. What fun to leave the house and do something that you like? I have always wanted to walk through vineyards, without any interruption. So, narrowing down on the ones below the Festung Mairenberg in Würzburg, I took the train to this lovely town, which is only 45 minutes away.

Würzburg is a blend of both old and new, with modern shopping malls and cafes sandwiched between old churches and stucco buildings, it's a delight for both the young and old to simply walk through and take in the smells and sights.At the heart of the town, right beside the Marienkapelle(the red church) is the markt platz. With festivals happening round the clock, colorful stalls and food courts adorn this place all through the year. I have a favorite one which sells the best franconian bratwurst. After relishing one which was my lunch and wandering around the stalls, I proceeded to the Alte Mainbrücke(Old Main bridge).

One of the oldest and loveliest stone bridges in Germany, it has amazing views over the Main with the small ships docked to the side, the fortress right on top of the mountain with the sprawling vineyards below and the towers of St Kilian church on the other end. 12 larger than life statues of saints and emperors are placed on both the sides of the bridge. Above is St. Burkard, Würzburg's first bishop. There is always a flurry of activity on this bridge.....Guided tours with tourists, lovers holding hands and looking upward to the fortress, wine lovers sipping on that glass of wine(yes, they were standing on the bridge with their glasses), photo enthusiasts like me waiting for that moment of respite from the crowds to get the perfect shot and the elderly, seating themselves on the stone benches for that much awaited break.

Once you go over the bridge, there are clear signs guiding you to the fortress. The option in front of me were two paths - 20 minutes by stairs or 40 minutes through vineyards. Both uphill.

You can guess what I chose...:-)

As I climbed up steadily, the roof tops of Würzburg slowly came into sight. It was indeed breathtaking. I spent quite some time taking it all in, after all there was nobody along with me. 

The Marienberg fortress is a prominent landmark of Würzburg. It was the home of the prince bishops from 1201 until the 18th century. With two courtyards, towers, a church and gardens, you need quite some time to explore both inside and outside.
Having already done the tours of the above 2 years ago I could not wait to get into the vineyards. Only problem was I couldn't figure out how to get to them.....:D

to be continued...

I finally went out ALONE...

Yes, just me, my thoughts, myself.

and, I enjoyed it thoroughly..

so much so, that I want to do it, more often..:-)

I paused where I pleased,

clicked way too many pictures,

cause you see, there was nobody waiting for me or tagging alongside.

I knew where I wanted to go and what I wanted to see.

A walk through the vineyards. 

The arch up there, that was the entrance to them.

My heart almost skipped a beat when I saw it.

Shopping.

We spent the whole of today SHOPPING!!

It was a gorgeous day, but it was a pity that we spent time shopping.

We had been putting this off for a very long time. 

The family began to miss their rotis, I the Indian pickles...

A need for more summer wear arose...

And also storage space in the house! We seem to be running out of it.

For all of the above we drive down to Würzburg,a University town 45 kms away from Lohr am Main. The shopping streets there are comparable to India. There are a few Asian and Indian stores too which sell  all Indian products. And for our furniture needs there is also the much loved Ikea(though its not my favorite)
We returned with a car packed to the brim.

A day at Würzburg...

There are a few things guests MUST be entertained to while in Germany...

1. Bratwurst and Glühwein

2. A stroll in a farmer's market. If you fancy you can proceed to buy fresh produce...

3. A tour of a site rich in German architecture.

We accomplished all three at Würzburg and my sister loved every bit of it. To say that we are tired would be an understatement. Am also very proud of the fact that I successfully travelled alone with the kids and sis by train(minus hubby who is back in India due to a family emergency), toured a city(with the kids asking occasionally as to whether I knew where I was going!!), was able to communicate in Deutsch and do all the normal touristy stuff without help. Someone's already making plans with her new feeling of independence!!! :D

Wanna know what am I feeling right now?? Terribly sleepy...I so want to crash into bed, but then, wanted to let you guys know what's been happening in my part of the world.

So, I am done with my German course. I had exams to answer, both written and verbal. I did spend a lot of time(though last minute) to prepare for the big day and I think I did pretty good. 

Today was my first day being home and the result.....a terribly exhausted woman. I think I packed in too many chores all at once, to add it to it, this season does call in for extra work..ain't I right??

Coming to the season, I think this has got to be the wettest Advent ever!!! Can you believe it has been raining cats and dogs over here. Imagine walking around Christmas markets with umbrellas in hand?? So not appealing!!!

What does appeal though is the aroma of the yummy lebkuchen and hot gluhwein wafting through the air!!!!  

So now, its's time my lovelies to bade you good night!! Bis morgen, which means "until tomorrow!!"

P.S: Pictures taken at the Würzburg Weihnachtsmarkt.

Sunday's in my City!!

Graffiti on the shopping streets of Würzburg!

Have a great Sunday ladies!!!

Dont forget to visit Unknown Mami and I am Lotus to see what other Sunday's are like.

My first outing alone!!

   Thanks to Tessa, I finally went on an outing alone, without family, but with a group(20) of English speaking Germans. I am glad that I finally took the plunge. I dressed up with excitement, my walk had a spring in every step. My husband said I looked good too. Maybe it was more because I felt good. And where did we go?? To watch Othello, a play by Shakespeare. Alas, I am not Shakespeare, hence, I have no words to describe how it was. In simple language, I can only say it was AWESOME!! I loved it, every moment, every scene. Not once was I bored nor waiting for it to get over. I made new friends, who were eager to speak to me in English. For the first time during my stay, I felt no pressure to speak German neither did I get advice that I MUST learn to speak the language. Here was an eager crowd wanting to speak in a language so safe and familiar to me, I couldn't have been more than delighted.

      The play was at Würzburg, a good hours journey by train, which meant I got ample time to get to know everybody. We spoke about a lot of things. Food, culture, languages, education, seasons....name it, we spoke about it.

Here's the best part. I was the only one with a camera and I felt that everybody would be uncomfortable with me clicking shots of people I had just met. So, I grabbed a few shots of the Würzburg Residence, where the play was to be held. In fact it was held at the gardens of the Residence.

      Above is the rear side of the Residence, followed by the Franconian fountain. Formerly, the residence was the seat of Bishops.  Below are the gates which lead you to the gardens of the residence.

We were not allowed to click shots during the play. I slowly sneaked out my phone and grabbed a shot. I needed one for memories!!!!