Sunday a week ago was beautiful; sunny and so warm that many people we saw on our walk were showing off their (rather pale) bare legs and arms. A couple of young men, obviously fuelled not only by the sun's warmth, were even walking around with their shirts off - not really worth a second look, but they probably felt much more comfortable that way.
O.K., my sister and I walked to the ruins of the castle above Hoheneck and then down the hill into the historic center. I have told you about Hoheneck, the castle ruins and the book market before; the book market, usually a highlight in our town's year in September, has of course not taken place in 2020. But the seller of antiquarian books is still there, and with their outdoor shelves and a box for the cash, accessible all day, every day.
While my sister was browsing the shelves (and of course finding something to take home) and O.K. was sitting in the sun, I went inside the nearest restaurant - not open for patrons to eat there, but operating an order and pick-up service over the counter. We had not ordered anyhting, but it was possible to buy bottled drinks, and so I got us three bottles of shandy - always a welcome refreshment during a walk.
A friendly black and white cat kept us company for a while.
The sunny weather held all week, and I tried to get out between work calls or afterwards as much as the busy schedule allowed. On Wednesday, I only had a bit more than half an hour left before sunset, and by the time I reached the fields 15 minutes from home, both the moon and the sun were up in the sky. The milkiness came from the Sahara dust that had been around since the weekend.
I had lunch at my parents' on Thursday, and my Mum served home-made lasagne - the best lasagne I had eaten in a long time!
After work, my sister and I went for a walk together. It was a balmy evening, spring-like in spite of it only being the 25th of February, and the moon was beautiful to look at.
Friday was still sunny and beautiful, but considerably cooler. By the time O.K. arrived for the weekend at about 8:00 pm, it had become so chilly that I cranked up the heating, and we were glad about the spicy rice and vegetable wok dish I had prepared.
This month's Dalesman arrived just before the month was over; mail service between the UK and Germany has slowed down considerably since Brexit is beginning to show its full effects. I was of course delighted to see the cover:
All weekend (and this week, by the looks of it), mornings and nights were cold to the point of frosty. It didn't stop us going for long walks on both Saturday and Sunday, but especially on Saturday, a cold wind blew across the fields, and I was chilled to the bones by the time we were home again.
Sunday saw us more or less back to where we had been the previous Sunday, only this time we did not go down the hill into Hoheneck, but took the path along the top overlooking the Neckar valley.
Everything is pointing towards spring now, and we enjoyed the sunshine and clear blue sky very much.
O.K. drove home just before 8:00 pm, and rang from the car shortly afterwards to tell me to look at the moon - it was still rather low in the west, but appeared very large and yellow. This picture taken from my kitchen window can only give a very poor idea of it; it was much more golden than what it looks like here.
And now March is here, with a lot in store for me! Not just work, but many other things as well - more in another post :-)
Happy March! I can't wait to hear about your plans for this month!
ReplyDeleteLast night we saw the full moon rising and it was very large and golden. I didn't try to take a picture since I know from experience that I can never capture it with my phone camera. It sure was pretty though!
The past few days have been warm and spring-like here, but I'm sure we still have a few cold days ahead.
Happy March to you, too!
DeleteThat large golden moon (although not full anymore, of course) has been back every night, but I have sensibly given up on trying to take a good picture of it.
Evenings, nights and mornings are frosty; it warms up nicely during the day but my winter coat can not be washed and put away just yet.
They tell us here that when the moon looks very yellow that we are looking at it through pollution but perhaps that's not the same for you. Your moon photo almost sitting on the branch looks almost like mine from a recent post of mine!Your walks sound so wonderful, almost as good as your Mom's lasagne! What about your recipe for your vegetable and rice recipe,could you share it? It sounds good! Still might have some cold but Spring is on its way!
ReplyDeleteWe did have plenty of Sahara dust in the air, it remains on cars, windowsills and outdoor furniture until washed off, so I guess that had a lot to do with the moon looking so golden.
DeleteI can't really give a recipe for the vegetable and rice dish; I simply threw together what I had in the fridge, fried it in my wok on a basis of coconut fat, added red curry paste and stirred in leftover creamy sheep cheese. The rice was the main ingredient :-)
Happy you have a sunny week to look back on. Bright days are a mood lifter. Looking forward to reading about your March plans.
ReplyDeleteI open my blinds a bit earlier every morning now, it is lovely to look at the morning sky from my kitchen window! I just wish I had a better view west; the sunset is hidden by buildings and trees, and I can not always make it to go for a walk at the right time to catch it on the fields.
DeleteDarling Meike,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderfully positive post, filled with the joy of everyday things. This is surely a recipe for future happiness, taking pleasure in the commonplace, noticing the tiny details of the natural world, having patience to wait for the things one really appreciates and, most of love, truly appreciating the love of friends and family.
March is now here and, in Budapest as with you, clear blue skies and sunshine are greeting us most days. How well your images have captured the excitement that one feels when anticipating the full glory of Spring. Yes, all will be well.
Dear Jane and Lance,
DeleteI have always managed to find joy in small, everyday things, and even the most banal jobs can be fun and satisfying (to a certain extent). It would all be rather dreary without friends and family, though.
Spring is definitely here but winter is not going away entirely just yet. I still need my winter coat; the sunshine can be deceptive but then out on the fields with a sharp wind it gets really cold, and this morning the weather app on my phone shows temperatures below freezing point.
So good that you can get out and about and take advantage of the weather and the rural area where you live. I was told that the full moon at the end of February was known as the Snow Moon.
ReplyDeleteHadn't realised that the Dalesman was still going. It was may late father's favourite reading matter and I have seen the publishers who are situated in the picturesque Yorkshire village of Clapham where my friends live.
My sister gave me another year of subscription to the Dalesman for Christmas. It is a bit of comfort reading and a regular fix of Yorkshire when we can not travel there ourselves. The address is given as being in Skipton, so maybe they have moved from Clapham.
DeleteSnow Moon is a term I have seen on other blogs, but was not familiar with until recently.
So happy to see the signs of Spring as the snow keeps melting here in Illinois (USA). My daffodils are peeking out of the dirt with their spear-like leaves and I have been seeing more birds.
ReplyDeleteNow I am excited to hear your news! I will watch for your post!
Gardens still look relatively bare here, but small primroses, crocus and snowdrops make them look pretty already. We are in for a rather cold weekend apparently, so I hope what is already out won't feeze to death (also small animals and birds).
DeleteNice to see you still read The Dalesman!
ReplyDeleteThis year's subscription (like last year's) was a Christmas gift from my sister. It allows me to have at least a tiny bit of Yorkshire in my life when I can't travel there myself - I don't see it happening this year, either.
DeleteWhat novelty! To have The Dalesman popping through the letterbox, then a walk above the Neckar Valley. Frequently I am in several places at once, at least inside my head.
ReplyDeleteYou must often think of Yorkshire while living in the moment.
Glad to see that all your readers are getting ready for Spring.
*The winds of March that made my heart a dancer* (These Foolish Things) as the song goes.
J Haggerty
I miss my friends and family in Yorkshire, and don't think I will be seeing them this year, either. Good job I have my parents and sister close by and can see them frequently!
DeleteIt is still frosty, and winter coats, scarves etc. can not yet be packed away. But the sun is already powerful during the day, making it a pleasure to be out and about.
You have such wonderful weekends with your walks and time spent with O.K. That antiquarian book store sounds like a place I would love to visit! I love the pictures of the moon through the trees. You always get such beautiful moon photos. You leave us with a hint of something special this month! I can't wait to hear what it is. You deserve only the best!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bonnie, you are so kind!
DeleteWell, one of the special things this month is my birthday coming up, but of course there won't be a party - we are still restricted to meeting just one person outside the household.
I need those walks and time with O.K.; balance is so important in life.
It's the Snow Moon - and last night it was so bright and awesome right outside my bedroom window through the leafless trees.
ReplyDeleteYou've had a busy week with some interesting walks.
Now I'm wondering what news is in store for us ahead - I'm impatient so hope you share soon!
Re: magazines from the UK - my Country Living is taking soooo long - haven't received Jan. or Feb. issues yet let alone March! They come to Canada and then onward to the US. I was told they are coming via ship rather than air now due of course to the pandemic.
Have a great week Meike - hugs, Mary
Thank you, Mary, you too!
DeleteWeek after week I hope it will be less busy, but somehow it never happens! Without my walks for balance, I would go insane.
The time for hope is here; there’s March and spring to come, days are getting longer and vaccinations are promising freedom. It’s very cold at night here but the days are milder, we’ve had some gloriously sunny days last weekend.
ReplyDeleteYour walks will keep you fit and healthy and sane, too.
Here’s hoping we will all see happier times soon.
Thank you, Friko! I sign that last sentence of yours - happier times for all of us, and soon.
DeleteNights are just below freezing point right now, making for a wide range of temperature within 24 hours; anything from frost to 15-16 Celsius. Colder days are ahead, and (hopefully) some rain.