Harvest Time

We had rented a cycle for Mom to be able to show her our backyard and our favourite place by the river Kinzig. She did a great job pedalling through the valley. And of course, we had to dip our feet into the refreshing water. The river level was quite high, so Roland made sure that Mom wouldn't be accidentally torn away by the strong current. (He was counting on dinner after all...)

Mom became quite excited when she discovered all the low hanging fruit. There were apples, peas, yellow plums and purple plums. And before we could say stop, she was already in the orchard harvesting, or better "collecting samples" (well, scrumping isn't exactly legal but widely tolerated by the farmers).

Caught red-handed!

Another fruit, another stop.

Mom's pickings

One Mum and All Saints

It's summertime. And living is easy. Especially this week, because Sonja's Mum has arrived. And while others tend to spend their vacation expecting us to entertain and feed them, Mum has made it her mission to spoil us rotten. No cooking, no cleaning for us. We come home from the job and all the housework is done and dinner's on the table.

In return we showed her our most favourite places, one of them being Castle Staufenberg, located on top of a hill, surrounded by vineyards, and overlooking the Rhine area. Roland was successful in acquiring a local white wine, and together we enjoyed the view.

At your service

View getting blurry already?

Mum & daughter

A view from castle Staufenberg

The following day we went to the waterfalls and the ruins of All Saints (Allerheiligen Wasserfälle). Mum had no problem to ascent the 221 steps leading on top of the falls, and was willing to follow us further even to the ruins.

The abbey ruins are always worth a visit, and we are still marvelling at the mystic and beauty of this place.

Photographing a dog owner photographing his dog. What a beautiful border collie, such a friendly, disciplined and active breed. Roland wanted to adopt him in an instant but for some reason the owner wouldn't agree.

Our descent was an easy one downhill and down the 221 stairs again. Shortly after it started to rain cats and dogs and did cut short our little road trip but there sure will be another time for small adventures. So we were heading back home were Mom would whip up another wonderful supper.

Another Summer Evening

Even after a year in the Southwestern part of Germany we are still amazed about the fantastic weather in this region. Being used to rainy and humid summers in the area around Cologne (the so-called 'Rhineland') we enjoy the warm and relatively dry climate down here a lot. So - between two World Cup quarter finale matches - we strolled around with our bicycles again, mesmerized by the beauty of our surroundings.

At the Kinzig river

Like holidays!

We love the noise the water makes at these small rapids

The branches of the apple trees need support already, because the apples are too heavy for quite young trees already.

A few more weeks, and these beauties are going to be ripe and juicy!!

Less juicy, but at a ripe old age...

Happy Birthday, Canada!

Wishing all Canadians a happy Canada Day!