Our last walk this autumn, before everything out there took on a more wintry look, was on the 21st of November. We spent that weekend at my place, and I wanted to go down to the river where I had last been more than two months ago. So, off we went with a rucksack full of good things and wearing warm coats, as it was a sunny but rather cold day after one of the first night frosts we'd had this season.
Most of the time, walking to the river means also walking along it, usually in the direction of Marbach, like in the post I have linked to above. This time, I suggested we walk somewhere less familiar, and we crossed the river on a foot bridge and went up the hill on the other side, through Neckarweihingen, which used to be a village in its own right but became a suburb of Ludwigsburg decades ago.
We stopped for our packed lunch at a sunny bench near the top of the hill before walking on through orchards and fields up there.
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| View towards "our" side of the Neckar |
I knew where we were but did not know each and every path, and so it was a bit of exploring until we made our way back towards Neckarweihingen, this time approaching it from its newest neighbourhood.
Foot bridge in the newest part of Neckarweihingen
Another foot bridge allowed us to cross the road, and from there, we walked downhill to the river and along it until we reached the bridge again where we had first crossed the river.
Once
we were on "our" side of the river again, it was a slow but steady
uphill walk almost all the way back home. 18 km and several hours after
we had set off, we arrived at my place in time for coffee and a welcome
rest. 
Foot bridge from Hoheneck to Neckarweihingen, where we first crossed the river
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| Back home through the deer park |
For our evening meal, I made shakshouka, and we tried a red wine new to us, a Syrah, from the Duke of Wuerttemberg's winery not far from home. It all made for a very nice Saturday in late autumn.
I shall look at your photos on the big screen this evening. I usually tell myself to do that and then the comment gets left but not today. I particularly love water as you know so being able to walk along the river would be marvellous for me. I'd forgotten what shakshouka is. My jury is out.
ReplyDeleteWalking along the river is always nice, and I would certainly go there more often if it were closer to home. It takes me at least half an hour just to get there, and that means a very quick pace and no stopping for photos or a chat with a squirrel.
DeleteI first talked about Shakshouka almost exactly two years ago here:
https://librarianwithsecrets.blogspot.com/2018/12/home-alone.html
This dish even has its own wikipedia entry! I really like it, and altough mine never turns out as beautiful as O.K.'s, it is something I can make without too many ingredients needed, and it is hot and filling - ideal for cold autumn and winter evenings, and a dark red goes very well with it.
I knew that you'd posted on shakshouka some time in the past. I'm glad that I took a similar view now as I did then!
Delete:-)
DeleteAs an aside - Graham, I am not sure I can really see what the fox is looking at (you know what I mean).
Meike, he is looking at tiny rabbit ears on the ridge between the fox and the little tree.
DeleteThank you, Graham - spotted them! Not easy to see with my bad eyes - next time I expect a magnifying glass :-)
DeleteVery much an "end of year" feel to those photographs. Cold to come, then we have to hang on until spring.
ReplyDeleteTrue; that was one reason why we wanted to take advantage of the sunny day.
DeleteWhat a difference a sunny day makes...no matter what the time of year. Lovely walk along the river.
ReplyDeleteYes, as long as it is dry and I keep moving, I can cope with colder temperarures for several hours. And coming home feels so good afterwards!
DeleteThat river looks so peaceful - I would enjoy a walk there (maybe not as long as yours)! I may try that recipe - it looks delicious! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt is a popular spot for walking and cycling - too popular on most weekends, but it was alright that day and not too busy.
DeleteI love a walk along water! You have some very nice photos and even caught a hot air balloon. What type of orchards are those? I have never eaten shakshouka but it does look interesting. Have a wonderful weekend Meike!
ReplyDeleteMostly, the orchards there have apple trees. There are some cherry and walnut as well, and pears.
DeleteThe hot air balloon looked much bigger to the naked eye than what my mobile phone's camera captured.
You too have a wonderful weekend, Bonnie!
I am envious of your long walks! Rather than the food, I am thinking of the red wine and I have to tell you that I am hopeful to find the red wine that you spoke about, the favorite of your grandfather. Was it Trollinger? I am not a big drinker of alcohol but I do like a nice glass of wine now and then. If I ever find this wine, I will raise a glass to you!
ReplyDeleteYes, Kay, it was Trollinger, a typical wine for my region. It is not what I usually have, but my Mum had bought some explicitly because it was her Dad's favourite.
DeleteRaising a glass to me... that has just given me an idea, Kay. Check your email!
I think I would love Shakshouka with all those spices - and I do eat eggs, but not meat.
ReplyDeleteYour walk looked lovely on that late Autumn day - wish I could walk that far . . . . . . . and not collapse!!!
What is on the hillside in pic #6 Meike. Is it a vineyard?
Shakshouka is one of those nice dishes that you can vary according to what you have at home and what you feel like; I am sure you'd love it.
DeleteYes, those are vineyards. Almost the entire length of the river's high bank is lined with steep terraced vineyards and orchards, at least between one town and the next.