After the Rain

After the rain had stopped early Saturday afternoon, it did not return that day. Since it was the first time this year that I had come to the allotment, of course I had to go and check on "my" Grassy Path. I can't even tell you what exactly it is that makes this one of my favourite places, it just holds a special attraction for me.

So, off I went, armed with my Mum's camera, as the batteries in my own camera were flat and I had stupidly not brought along the replacement ones.

The first two pictures are from another allotment near my parents':

As soon as I left the allotment area, I noticed the building crane. It is at the site of a venue for courses and seminars related to business studies. The site was deliberately chosen so remotely - far from all distractions, in order for those who go there to teach and learn to fully concentrate on their courses. It has 50 single rooms for the students, a large dining area, auditoriums and class rooms of various sizes and is run by what I can roughly translate as "Educational Institution for the Economy of Baden-Wuerttemberg" (B-W being the federal state of Germany I live in).

I've always found it curiously attractive (although not a beautiful building in the way I usually find buildings beautiful) and now wanted to have a closer look. And look I did! Seems like the venue is being extended substantially:

There was nobody around; it was not even fenced and gated off, and I went inside a few steps. You can tell it had been raining quite a lot!

After that, I walked further on and up the hill to reach my favourite spot. You've seen very similar photos on my blog many times already, because I keep going back there and always find it worth taking pictures.
Something was different this time: For the first time since I made this a "must visit" whenever I come to my parents' allotment, I met other people on the path!
Two young ladies on horses came riding along. I stepped aside to let them pass and admired the beautiful horses with their shiny coats, one black and one chestnut. The ladies politely greeted and thanked me, and we exchanged a few words about the weather and how good it was to be out here on a day like this.

Again, I wish I could transmit the scents of elderflower and dog rose around me!

On my way back, I took only a few more pictures - you've seen this village before, too:

I joined my parents again at the allotment about 1 1/2 hours later. We sat and chatted for another while on the patio before packing up and driving back to Ludwigsburg.
Later, I went running with a friend (my hometown's City Run is only 4 1/2 weeks away!). After a shower and something to eat, I was so pleasantly tired from all that exercise and having been outdoors nearly all day, I went to bed nearly two hours before my usual bedtime :-)

The next day was going to be Sunday, with O.K. visiting and the Horse Market procession to watch. But that will of course be the subject of another post.