Europe Trip 2012/13 - A German Christmas (2)

From Munster we moved on to Osnabruck, a town heavily damaged in the war but still with some ancient parts remaining.

All these shots, apart where indicated other wise, were taken with a Lumix GH1 and 14-140 zoom lens. 

The crowds gather in Osnabruck as darkness falls

Colourful stalls to delight the eye

Gingerbread heart or chocolate covered strawberries?

Ancient buildings provide the backdrop as the party atmosphere builds

Brilliant coloured lighting down every street

And the traditional stuff as well

After Osnabruck we moved onto  Hameln, of Pied Piper fame, the sleet and freezing rain washed away the light snow on the rooftops.

Hameln's old, wet streets light up their charm

Hamelin's Rathaus and the Kirche of St Nikoli's in the rain

The Town Hall, with 24 windows dressed as an Advent Calendar

St Nikoli's church looks over the crowded stalls

The beautifully restored Kartoffelhaus im Büergerhus

Inside, imaginative Christmas decorations  gave a lovely atmosphere

Wernigerode, one of the most complete and beautifully preserved towns of half-timbered houses, with its market square and cobbled side streets, made a perfect destination for the Christmas festivities.

The Johannis Kirche was illuminated only with candles for evensong

Wenigerode's square is the perfect venue for a Weihnachtsmarkt

A magical merry-go-round for the kids

The simple messages were not forgotten

Schneeballen...if you've still got room...

This medieval band of musicians gave it their all

 

Wernigerode's darker side...



A highlight of our stay in Wernigerode was a trip on the Harzer Schmalspur Bahnen or narrow gauge steam railway up to the top of the legendary Brocken

A classic sight!

 

The white top of the broken can just be seen on the top left of the hill

Extreme freezing conditions, only on the top of the Brocken

The train to take us home arrived late, very late...

Chilled passengers hurry home





Also not to be missed in Wernigerode was the Schloss, a true fairy-tale castle

 A haunting presence on the hill, Schloss Wernigerode

The only thing missing was some snow!

Europe Trip 2012/13 - A German Christmas (1)

This year we decided to get away before Christmas and do a tour of the best Christmas Markets in Northern Germany – and hopefully get ourselves a white Christmas into the bargain!

On our way up country to see family before getting the Hull-Rotterdam ferry, we stopped off at a lovely country pub near Bristol: The Crown Inn at Winford. If you have an idea of what a proper English pub should be like, then this must come close. It's down a long narrow lane, but has a large car park.

All these shots, apart where indicated other wise, were taken with a Lumix GH1 and 14-140 zoom lens. 

The Crown Inn at Winford

Off the ferry in Rotterdam, we moved swiftly through Holland, over the Arnhem bridge, and into Germany and our first stop: Xanten.

Lumix TZ7, through the windscreen

Pitched up in Xanten

Sue surveys the magic at Xanten's market

At Oberhausen they build the Christmas village alongside a canal by a vast shopping and leisure complex – it looks a bit naff in the daylight what with the multi-story carpark and the gasometer, but when it gets dark and the lights come on...

The crowds pour in – even the gasometer gets lit up!

The bratwursts sell non-stop

The lights along the canal are fantastic. GH1

The stall displays are wonderful too... 

Then we moved on to the ancient city of Munster – a different flavour again: small markets dotted around the town.  Drift from one to another, grazing on Gluhwein and bratwurst...

Is it a bishop or Santa Claus – either way he's on a trike with lots of lights and toys!

City of Lights Parade - Truro, Cornwall 2012

Every year in November, a parade of lanterns is held in Truro. They are made of withy (willow) and tissue paper by schoolchildren, college students, community groups and professional artists. This years theme was Kings and Queens.

All the shots were taken with a Panasonic Lumix GH1 using the 14-140 zoom lens, ISO set to 2000, WB set to Halogen.

Dusseldorf Trip 2012 - The Way Home

This year we finally made to the Dusseldorf Caravan Salon.  After 3 days at the show, and making our way home, we stopped off at Venlo, Holland, Xanten and Kleve in Germany, and Maldegem in Belgium before crossing the Channel from Dunkerque to Dover.

All the pictures were taken either with a Panasonic Lumix TZ7 compact or a Lumix GH1 with 14-140 zoom lens.

The extensive marina and motorhome aire at Venlo Jachthaven, TZ7 

Xanten is a lovely little town, with a pretty square but also the remains of a Roman Metropolis and a couple of man made lakes featuring a lido.

The Gothic coffee house in the square, GH1

St Viktors Cathedral, GH1

The late sun casts its glow, GH1

The market square, Xanten. TZ7

Delightful bronze in the street - note the glass "water" in the bucket! TZ7

The working windmill and bakery, TZ7

Through the old city gate into the square, TZ7



Down by the lake....

We weren't able to identify this goose - any ideas? TZ7

The next generation!

Cycle paths all round the lakes, TZ7

The perfect picnic spot.... TZ7

Water skiing the environmentally friendly way! TZ7

Keep those knees bent!

The Roman ramparts rise again. TZ7

Well..why not? TZ7



After Xanten we visited Anholt Castle, a Baroque family residence - now a museum and hotel, in Wasserburg.

The grand entrance, GH1

Restored ornamental gardens

The old kitchens

Still one wastrel in the dungeons!



Our next stopover was in Kleve, the birthplace of Anne of Cleves. Heavily bombed in WW2, it is still in the process of rebuilding and re-generation.

Kleve on 13th February 1945 (taken from a public photograph). GH1

An amusing and imaginative bronze. GH1

The Zur Post hotel and restaurant gave us a good meal. GH1



Now into Belgium for a wonderful stopover and a great meal in great surroundings at t' Brigandje, Maldegem.

t'Brigandje, just an unprepossessing farmhouse... GH1

Inside... colourful and atmospheric

Stone flags and wooden beams

Sunset through the window

The perfect end to a perfect meal



Across the Channel, we slept well on the sea front in Dover, then stayed at the Fox and Hounds, Charlton Adam, set in a quintessential English village.

The Fox and Hounds, Charlton Adam. TZ7

Green fields and weeping willow. TZ7

Sunday morning gossip...

The Parish Church. TZ7

That quintessential Somerset lane. TZ7