Let's Talk German Wine!

Most people think of beer when you say Germany

But, to us, we think of wine--white wine, mostly 

Riesling.   

Everywhere!  I do mean everywhere you see 

Vineyards!  In the most unusual places--the steepest 

Hillsides. 

Neat rows of grape vines

One day we took tour of vineyard--hiking up the pathways 

We had Four tasting spots, each with a different Riesling-- 

Each with little more sugar residue 

Our sampling glass

You would think that the huge vineyard was own by

One person, but not the cause--there are small plots

With each a different owner or a town

This wine tasting was held in an old cellar--dark and filled with barrels

Each sector has a wine queen and a wine proctor.  It is a great honor to 

Be a wine queen, usually a daughter from one of the wine families in that area

Beauty of German Villages

In every village, there absolutely fantastic gardens, whether it was small

Plots of ground, window boxes or the buildings themselves. 

The flowers drip off the sides and overflow-- such a nice sight!

Even the window shutters add an artistic touch

We walked through many a rose garden

This house along the bike path (continues all along the river)

Had a small area to plant their flowers 

The sidewalk cafes are also colorful either with their planters or awnings

The cemeteries are bursting with color--everyone we saw in Germany 

Were maintained with family money 

There are many timbered houses, each with their own beauty

This was the blue haus

Rhine River Castles

A ride through Rhine Gorge is delightful--filled with vineyard hills and Castles!

Some have refurbished and being used as tourists attraction 

Some sit in ruins, still ruling over their territory 

Some are situated above small villages

And some on islands

All are fabulous!  

Here is a map of gorge

A Tribute To Jews Who Suffered WWII

 In many of the small Germany villages we have visited there are tributes to the Jews who were removed from their homes and "deported".

This was found in a small alleyway

The names are placed on the plaque and remembered

In another village, markers are placed in front of the home.  this mother and daughter resided here

But the home is no longer there.  These are called stumbling stones.  

During the year, school children learn German history & polish the stones to keep their 

Memories alive

And so we remember with them

Streets Of Small Germany Towns

I love walking the streets of small towns!

Colorful flowers

This day was a bank holiday so not many people were on streets, just

Us tourists 

A map of town! 

Praha Life

Everyone has traffic problems!  Ticket for her!

Very modern building--Fred and Ginger titled--all pieces were added piece at a time

The view from the Charles Bridge--Praha is a city of bridges and spires

I liked the lace work in the window of the apartment

gate to Charles Bridge--built during Charles VI reign--once the entrance into the city

The view down the river, now lined with restaurants, boat launches

\Here is the statue of Saint that was tortured and thrown from the bridge

it is said if you rub the site of statue and make a wish, it will come true.

you can see where many hands have rubbed for their wish.

\hubby was one that made a wish too

A trip to the Prague castle--the largest in the world.

The site is unbelievable!

and the view is the best of the city of Praha

The cathedral is situated in the middle of the castle--built in 

800's AD

It is said you could spend days wondering through the castle grounds

there is much to see, but we only spent a few hours there before heading

back to catch our shuttle to the hotel.

Of Like Mind!

It's always great fun to run into a fellow artist!  

This weaver was selling their wares in a street faire

look it's only two harness but quite workable

Notice the selvages--very firm threading--this was cotton warp 

I love seeing all the 'stuff' around the loom and

the racket for tightning is first rate

Such a setup!

Bobbins wound and ready for throwing

Here are plenty of woven items to pursue\

price--I didn't look

Everything you could want on your shopping trip