Not easy to see, but believe me, it is there.
Over that distant hill can be seen a shadow on the horizon, and that is the "Brocken" in the Harz mountains. It is the highest peak in the Harz mountain range, and the highest peak in Northern Germany. It is located near Schierke in Saxon-Anhalt, between the rivers Weser and Elbe. Although its altitude of 3,743ft is below alpine dimensions, its microclimate resembles that of mountains of about 6,600 ft. Above the treeline snow covers the peak from September to May, and mists and fogs shroud it for up to 300 days a year. The annual mean temperature is only 2.9c, which is on the chilly side.
The "Brocken" has played may roles in German legends and has been connected with witches and devils. Johann von Goethe wrote about the legends in his play "Faust." The "Brocken Spectre" is a common phenomenon on this misty mountain, where a climber´s shadow casts eerie optical effects on the fog and mists. I won´t be going there on a dark night then!
The tree lined Timmerlahstraße winds it way towards Weststadt.
I have seen this view in all weathers and at all times of the day. It is particularly lovely on a warm summer evening at sunset, when the cornfields a glowing golden in the yellow light. The sun shone today, and this afternoon I had tea with friends, and we were able to sit on the terrace and eat tasty German cake with strawberries and other delights!
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