Three Sundays ago, my Mum and I went for a walk. She suggested we climb the Asperg - the hill that has featured several times on my blog already, in different seasons. The last time I'd been there had been in March, when O.K. and I were only a few weeks into our relationship.
In late August 2014, I posted some pictures of the hill and the views from there here. The weather on that Sunday walk earlier this month was similar to that day, but the difference between late summer and autumn is obvious.
Approaching Asperg from where we live via the fields between Ludwigsburg and Asperg:
(This is also the area where my friend and I go running.)
Getting closer:
Climbing up between vineyards and gardens:
This part of the old fortress walls looks like a face, doesn't it? The "eyes" are bat houses.
See the openings in the wall down in the moat? The moat was always dry, never filled with water, and when there was still a garrison stationed at the fortress, the soldiers' horses were kept down there on the grass. Food and water for them was put in the troughs in the walls.
View from the top of the wall (where the bat houses are):
The opposite direction:
It was a challenge in the old days to get water up to the top of the hill. This pretty little building was a purpose-built pump room:
Leaving the fortress via its main entrance:
Vineyards:
We were out and about from around lunch time until late afternoon, taking a break at the restaurant on top of the hill and occasionally resting on benches in the sun on our way back. It was lovely, and I am glad we made such good use of the great autumn weather.
Beautiful pictures, you always find such gorgeous scenery. It is quite hot here in Sicily still.
ReplyDeleteIt was chilly in the morning but during the day warmed up nicely so that we ended up carrying our jackets instead of wearing them.
DeleteAh, you have to make hay when the sun shines and take beautiful golden autumn walks when it's golden and warm and you have wonderful places to explore. I love hearing about your mother daughter walks. I admire the little pump house and was fascinated to hear that the moat was always dry and set up to keep horses in.
ReplyDeleteYes, we try to take advantage of free time and good weather whenever we can. The times when we can't/don't feel like going out will be here soon enough!
DeleteWhat a beautiful day for that interesting walk - love that you and your mum are able to do things such as that together. Thanks dear for your comment today regarding Halloween in Germany. My thoughts are with you on this day, I know it must be hard for you.
ReplyDeleteI know how lucky I am to have my Mum not only nearby but also fit and willing to go for walks with me!
DeleteThank you for your kind words. It is not very hard for me anymore; I do remember, of course, but am not inconsolably sad - there is so much good in my life, a lot to be happy about and grateful for.
It's been golden here too, and very warm - my car said 19°C today! That looks like a beautiful walk. Great views from the top of the hill. x
ReplyDeleteIt could have been close to 19C that day, too, once the sun had warmed the land sufficiently. For the past two weeks or so, we have had cold nights and mornings with milder temperatures during the day, but a cold front is forecast from tomorrow onwards.
DeleteI love views from the tops of hills, or towers, or mountains... anywhere high, and I have to get up there!
I, too, am thinking of you today and of your dear late husband on his birthday. I'm so happy that you've found happiness and contentment in life. And beautiful photos, as always!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer, you are so kind!
DeleteYour trees look much greener this ours, Meike...? Good photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you! They were much greener then, as the photos were taken at the beginning of this month. Looking at them now is quite different.
DeletePS it is my late husband's birthday today, too. We would have been having curry; his favourite meal.
ReplyDeleteWhat a coincidence - Steve loved curries, too, and often made a large pot for us which would last us three nights.
DeleteWonderful weather always lifts the soul so to speak. I keep laughing at the fortress tower face. It reminds me of a children's cartoon character I've een but I can't for the life of me recall which one.
ReplyDeleteThe tower face is funny, isn't it! I wouldn't know which cartoon character it resembles, but it is probably a nice one, maybe a little daft :-)
DeleteWonderful - you're lucky to have that scenery on your doorstep - it looks stunning. And lucky to have that time with your mum - very special.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, I am lucky in so many ways!
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