O.K. and I spent the weekend after our holiday at my place, and on the 16th of May, we finally went to the gardens.
Restrictions were and are still in place: No more than 2,000 visitors at any time are allowed; face masks have to be worn around the entrance/exit area, where it can be difficult to keep a distance; not all of the small shops and kiosks are open. But none of this was a problem for us. When we arrived on that Saturday, we were aware that we might not be allowed in, in case the max number of visitors was already reached. But our season tickets were checked and we were let through the gates.
In the park, there were visitors around; not too many to make it feel uncomfortably crowded, but not so few as to make it feel eerily empty, as in "I should not be here".
As you can see, the it was as beautiful as ever!
Ludwigsburg Palace is large and old - meaning it constantly needs work done. The closure of the grounds was also used to do some renovation on the facade:
We saw several of these beautiful flowering shrubs dotted around the gardens and didn't know its name until we found a sign attached to one of them:
This is about as crowded as it got:
For lunch, we decided to support the local economy and bought burgers (very delicious, but messy to eat when you can not sit at a table) from one of the food stalls.
We concluded the day with a cup of coffee on my sister's balcony and a visit at my parents' (all with the proper distance, of course); my parents had not known that we were coming, as it was a spur of the moment decision. All the better that O.K. was able to help with carrying something too heavy for either my parents or myself.
Another good day that felt a bit like a holiday once more, and now that I can go to the palace grounds again, I shall put my season's ticket to good use for at least some of my after work walks.
Good to see that you're able to b back in the Palace grounds. Obviously I enjoyed all the flowers but I was particularly pleased to see the flag irises. They are a long way from flowering here.
ReplyDeleteEverything feels rather far ahead this year. Cherry trees in some places look almost ready for picking!
DeleteLooks so very relaxing - glad you can walk around there again.
ReplyDeleteSo are we! It is also nice to see families with children being out and about in the park again. My friend, who has two little girls of 4 and 2 years old, was very happy when she and her husband could take the family for an outing a few days after the re-opening.
DeleteDo you ever walk round large public gardens and imagine you own them? I'm afraid I do.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, absolutely! As I live near enough to pop over briefly after work with my season's ticket, I can go there at times when few other visitors are around. That helps with the self-delusion :-)
DeleteI am so happy that you can walk in the palace grounds again. It seems very safe. Outside is better than inside and they are limiting the number of people. Sorry the burgers were messy!
ReplyDeleteThe burgers were HUGE and very well filled, which made it really rather hard to eat them without needing a complete change of clothes afterwards!
DeleteIt is nice when the crowds stay away but you can still do what you want.
ReplyDeleteIt is! I expect more and more people are going to rediscover the park, now that is open again.
DeleteGood for you! I'm happy for you and those gardens are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThey are, aren't they!
DeleteWhat good timing that the palace grounds opened after your holiday. Extended that holiday feeling and now gives you more options for after work walks. Beautiful grounds.
ReplyDeleteThey are beautiful in all seasons, but this time of year everything is in bloom and the roses give off so much scent it is almost overwhelming.
Deleteso glad you had such a nice time and then were able to see your sister and parents. thank you for reading my blog. I haven't done a post today but will tomorrow. best wishes
ReplyDeleteUsually, I make sure to see my parents about once a week, and my sister maybe twice, depending on how I can time my after work walks and other activities.
DeleteHow wonderful that you can visit the grounds again. The gardens are beautiful. It looks like a relaxing place to go.
ReplyDeleteIt is, most of the time. We try to avoid it on the days when there are typically busloads of tourists there, as we have the choice to go any time. Some weekends, we have counted close to 20 buses on the parking lot next to the palace, but these days, all that space is empty.
Delete