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| The little regional train from Braunschweig heads towards the town of Wolfenbuettel.
It is a lovely, warm day today with temperatures of 25c to 30c forecast for the weekend, and I'm glad I've jumped countries! The photo above shows the view from my window this morning with a clear view of the "Brocken" on the skyline, and of Zephyrus turning away to the left. I sang with the choir last night, and met my old friends, drank a beer, and had a lovely time singing folksongs.
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The "Brocken" is the highest peak of the Harz mountain range and also the highest peak in Northern Germany. It is located near Schierke in the state of Saxony-Anhalt between the rivers Weser and Elbe. Although its altitude of 1,141 metres (3,743 ft) is below alpine dimensions, its microclimate resembles that of mountains of about 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The peak above the tree line tends to be snow covered from September to May, and mists and fogs shroud it for up to 300 days a year. The mean annual temperature is only 2.9c. It is the easternmost mountain in Northern Germany.
The "Brocken" has always played a role in German legends, and has been connected with witches and devils. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe took up the legends in his play "Faust." The "Brocken Spectre" is a common phenomenon on the misty mountain, where a climber's shadow cast upon fog, creates eerie optical effects.
Today the "Brocken" is part of the Harz National Park, and a narrow gauge steam railway takes visitors to the summit. FM-radio and television broadcasting make use of the summit, and the old TV tower, the "Sender Brocken," is now used as an hotel and restaurant. It also has an observation deck, open to all tourists. I have walked here, and it is breathtakingly beautiful.
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