Sunday 23 August 2015

Braunschweig and I will meet each other again in May 2016

JS Bach in Köthen.

This Blog resumes at the beginning of May 2016, when I start packing for my next four months in my second home of Braunschweig.   Bye til then.

Tuesday 18 August 2015

Goodbye Timmerlah and Braunschweig until May 2016

Aufwiedersehen Braunschweig Cathedral and the city of Henry the Lion, until May 2016.

The Blog will now hibernate now until May 2016, when it will re-awake with fresh news of my travels with JS Bach,  in the land of his birth.

I was sad to leave this year, and it gets harder every year, but thoughts of my return in only nine months time, will keep me going throughout the winter.   Thank you to those who read my blog, I hope you find it interesting.  Bye for now.

Wednesday 12 August 2015

On the Old Border between East and West Germany

The Wall at Hötensleben, the West to the left, the East to the right.

Our last two visits of 2015 was to the old border on the road from Helmstedt to Berlin at Marienborn, and also to the Wall itself at the Border Museum Hötenleben, where it is possible to see the entire width of the original border between two walls, with "No man´s land" in between.

The line of the old Wall, the West to the right, the former East Germany to the right.

The Border Memorial is one of only a handful places on the former inner German border where a large section of former border installations can still be seen in situ.  The border wall, watchtowers, fences and other installations form an outdoor trail, marked with signs that explain each aspect of the border system.

The old watchtower at Hötensleben.

The Brocken Train in Wernigerode

The old steam train and carriages waiting at Wernigerode Station.

We had a wonderful Saturday on this narrow gauge railway, that runs from Wernigerode, a small town with many typically German half timbered houses, up to the top of the Brocken, the highest point in the Harz mountains, and the place of many German legends.

There is a link to Wikipedia, which will give you all the information.  If it does not work, please cup and paste the link into a search.

Watching the engine snake up the track to the Brocken.

Brocken Railway - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brocken_Railway

Stopping for water and a quick polish.


The announcer, who gave us a running commentary during the 2 hour journey.

The engine on the climb to the top.
Wernigerode Town Hall.


K and M looking at the courtyard half-timbered houses.

Sunday 9 August 2015

Schloss Richmond, Braunschweig

 
 
 
Walking in the landscaped gardens at Schloss Richmond.
 
The little castle was builr from 1768 to 1769 in Braunschweig for Princess (later Duchess) Aususta, the wife of Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand.  It lies near the River Oker to the south of the city.  It was designed by Carl Christoph Wilhelm Fleischer.
 
The castle was named after the princess's English home in Richmond Park, a royal park near Richmond on Thames.

The front entrance to the castle.
The building is used for civic receptions by the Mayor of Braunschweig for visitors to the city. 


 

 

Friday 7 August 2015

The 850th Anniversary of the Death of "Henry the Lion" of Braunschweig

 The Hannover Police Choir sang during the service.
 
We happened to be wandering through Braunschweig on Thursday afternoon on a really hot day, when by chance we came across the service to remember "Henry the Lion," the founder of the city's Cathedral.  Each year the city remembers him by laying a rose on his tombstone in the crypt.  Henry was married to Matilda, the daughter of English King Henry ll and his wife Eleanor of Aquitaine, and a rose is also left on her tombstone.

 The procession through the Cathedral

The choir singing while two roses were laid on the tombs of Henry and Matilda.
 
The choir of mens' voices sounded lovely in the huge space of the cathedral.

Thursday 6 August 2015

Unexpectedly in Magdeburg!

 
 S and H looking at the River Elbe in Magdeburg.
 
We set out early for a visit to Goslar, only to find that no trains were running there on Wednesday.   There was work on the track and a shortage of drivers, so we all instantly decided to go to Magdeburg instead!   It was my third visit this year, but still enjoyable, if a little on the hot side.
 
As it was my sister's birthday, we had a lunch in the "Green Citadel," followed by a visit to the cathedral and a walk along the bank of the River Elbe, where we found a nice ice café and enjoy ice cream and coffee.  A lovely day.

 In the cloisters of Magdeburg Cathedral

Magdeburg Cathedral