Seven of us made the trip together, similar to 10 years ago, when we were there for her 40th birthday, and 4 1/2 years ago, when we spent a very summery weekend there in July 2015. I blogged about that weekend here and here - if you like, you can compare those summer pictures with those I took from the same place now.
The 800 km trip involved once again four different trains and seven hours of travel time. We arrived at the small train sation of Mölln mid-afternoon, walked the 10 minutes or so to our hotel and checked in. There was still some daylight left by then, making the decision easy about what to do until the party would begin in a few hours. O.K. and I both felt the need for some exercise after so many hours sitting on more or less comfortable trains, and went for a walk down to the lake and a little exploring of the historic town centre.
(Most of these pictures are O.K.'s.)
The water reservoir on the last two pictures was next door to our hotel, up on the hill above the town. It also features in one of my previous posts about Mölln, linked above.
The brick facades of the buildings are typical for this part of Germany, rather different from where I live.
We enjoyed our walk and had still enough time left for a bit of a rest before dressing and getting ready for the party, which was in the next village. A minibus/large taxi took us there, and we had a fun night with good food, drink, music and dancing and - most importantly - our friend.
For the next day, Sunday, storm Ciara (named Sabine in our parts) was forecast to hit in the early afternoon. We had been a bit worried beforehand about our trip home, but in the end we were so lucky in that the train we had booked anyway was one of the last long-distance ones to run that day. Shortly afterwards, all long distance trains and most flights were cancelled because of the storm.
We reached Ludwigsburg almost exactly seven hours after having set off in Mölln. Our small group of seven friends quickly dissolved; everybody just wanted to get home - which for O.K. meant another 1 1/2 hours' drive on the motorway.
It was a fun weekend, different from what our weekends are usually like, but I guess we'd all agree that we won't mind if the next such trip is in a few years!
Interesting architecture. It's good to stroll around and observe.
ReplyDeleteWe like to explore and observe, see how other people live, what their houses and gardens are like.
DeleteReminds me a bit of northern English Methodist chapels. You wouldn't have needed any exercise if you'd travelled on northern English trains. You'd have been standing up for four hours without anything to eat or drink.
ReplyDeleteYou are right about the red brick buildings; many in and around Ripon look a bit like that, such as the former Methodist chapel on Coltsgate Hill just down the road from us.
DeleteAs for northern English trains, I can not really confirm that; I have been on both the Transpennine Express and local trains from Leeds to Harrogate, from Harrogate to York, from York to Scarborough and so on, and have had varying experiences from the very comfortable to the opposite.
Those are amazing pictures of the buildings. The architectural style is beautiful especially in those doors and hinges. I love that statue too. It must be fun to take such a trip with a group of friends. I'm glad to hear you safely returned with the storm in the area. Thanks for sharing these pictures!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Bonnie - thank YOU for looking at then and taking the time to comment!
DeleteI have a "thing" for doors and doorways, and can hardly resist old, beautiful ones when I come across them.
Lovely to meet up with your friend again. Not so lovely to have this difficult train journey. I also am fascinated by the architecture of this city. Is the statue of the jester supposed to be Til Eulenspiegel?
ReplyDeleteYep, Kristi - it's Till himself! He is supposed to have lived in Mölln, and the town capitalises much on his legendary character.
DeleteThe train journey was alright; we weren't really late anywhere, it was just tiring - it is the other end of Germany from where we live, after all!
Love that crooked house with the green door, and also the following two close-ups of doors... :)
ReplyDeleteThat house is special, isn't it! The two doors are from the church opposite the crooked house.
DeleteSounds a good week end but I know what you mean about waiting a year or two before you go again - such long trips really take it out of you. I enjoyed the photographs - especially as the architecture is just different from ours which makes it more interesting.
ReplyDeleteThat short stroll in town made our quick trip feel more like a mini holiday, as it made us really see that we were in a very different part of Germany than where we live.
DeleteWith a quick Google search I discovered that you traveled just under 500 miles. That's a fairly lengthy trip! Lucky you to have good public transport. Everyone here drives....everywhere. Seven hours of total travel time isn't too bad. And I know the distance was worth it to see and celebrate with your friends!
ReplyDeleteMany people would argue the "good public transport" - more often than not, our trains run late, break down or are cancelled altogether. On my almost daily trips to and from work, I'd say something goes wrong 3 out of 5 times. But we were really lucky on this trip - also because we had enough time between trains to catch our connection even if the first train would be late.
DeleteYou are right, Jennifer - it was definitely worth it to see our friend! It is one thing to be in touch via email and the phone; really being with her for her big party was something we wouldn't want to have missed.
It does sound like a lot of fun but as I get older, I find that it is easier if I don't have too long a journey on either end! :-) I love the photos, so unlike anything I have ever seen before.
ReplyDeleteI wonder, will they have a storm named "Meike"? Let us know!!
Through my almost weekly trips to and from O.K., I am used to being on the road (or rail) for hours, but this one was the longest trip so far this year. Travelling to Yorkshire in June will take only a little bit longer!
DeleteAs far as I know, there has not yet been a storm named Meike. The naming follows the alphabet, and we've had Sabine... so it will be a while before M comes round, also because they alternate between male and female names from one year to the next :-)
That's quite a marathon trip for a party, but a tribute of affection to your friend who must be a wonderful person! I am glad you missed the storm.
ReplyDeleteWhen we asked what she wanted for a birthday present, she said it was plenty that we made the trip just to celebrate with her. She still got a present from us, though :-)
DeleteI've never been that far North in Germany but have seen similar brickwork in other places. The one thing that struck me more than anything else in your street scene photos was the pristine cleanliness. Unfortunately that is becoming rare in the UK. Mind you it's hard to find a street in the UK that is not colonised by cars.
ReplyDeleteSo Til Eulenspiegel live in Mölln. His musical merry pranks have fave been a favourite of mine for years. I would not have thought of him though and was going to ask so thank you, Kristi.
Mölln is very clean and well cared for even for German standards. The small town takes pride in its architectural and cultural heritage, plus they are a spa town (although without the name prefix 'Bad'). Somehow, spa towns always look extra neat, don't they; Harrogate is a good example.
DeleteI am surprised you are familiar with Eulenspiegel!
I am interested to know why there is a plaque to George Bernard Shaw?
ReplyDeleteIt has to do with Till Eulenspiegel, the legendary "Wise Fool" who lived in Mölln and is still very much present there. When in 1950 the town celebrated the 600th anniversary of Till's death, they asked Shaw - who had no previous connection with Mölln - to accept the title of Honorary Citizen, for his "far-reaching humourous merits" in satirical writing which the town's committee saw in true Eulenspiegel spirit.
DeleteApparently, Shaw was asked on a postcard by the Mayor of Mölln, and eventually accepted the honorary title. He was 93.
I think I've mentioned it before, you are really an excellent book reviewer. Even when I was in school I found it boring to review books and stories. The only books I like are the English and American classics. My favorite is Jane Eyre, and Mark Twain is my favorite author. The only modern books I have read recently are the Shopaholic series .... I can just imagine your face!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is something else we have in common, Francesca - Mark Twain is one of my favourite authors, too!
DeleteThe Shopaholic series? I think I have read the first book years ago and found it very entertaining.