Two years ago, O.K. and I walked a circuit in the Black Forest near Durbach that was to include several remote farms, the Gebirge-Höfe-Weg (literally "mountain farms way"). Back then, we only really enjoyed the first half, as we were totally soaked on the second half. We knew that we wanted to repeat that walk under more favourable circumstances, and we did just that on the 12th of June.
Pictures and a description of that walk are here on my 2020 post.
This time, not a single drop of rain was in sight - it was very hot, and some of the steep uphill bits were a real challenge for me; I had to stop for breath a few times, and any bit of shade was very welcome. Much of the walk was in the woods, though, and that was definitely the best place to be on a day like that!
Back at O.K.'s cottage, after an afternoon nap we felt much refreshed and spent the evening on the balcony. O.K. grilled zucchini and aubergine for us along with merguez, and the well chilled rosé was perfect on that beautiful summer evening.
All week, I had been picking cherries through my kitchen window - enough to share with my elderly neighbour and with my parents, and a small bowl for me as dessert every night. The weather turned very hot then, and after a few thunderstorms with rain, my cherry season was over - plenty left on the tree, but overripe and rotting faster than we could pick them. Still, the ones I did have were great, and I gladly left the rest to the blackbirds.
Looks very pleasant walking country. I tend to remember walks and past locations well, even after 20 years. I say things like "they've felled all the trees that were here" and "we've done this section before - we joined here" and "this is where we went wrong last time" and "this is where I fell and hurt my leg". People don't always believe me.
ReplyDeleteFunny that you mention that, because I do that (sometimes), too. In this case, I thought I remembered the bench we had a piece of cake on, minutes before the rain started. It turned out that I was wrong, and the bench was a bit further along the walk. As soon as I saw it, I knew that was the right one.
DeleteI know what you mean about tree shadows on a hot day. Plunging into tree shadows can be like diving into a swimming pool. The Black Forest should be called The Green Forest!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a lot more green than black these days, and I enjoy every minute I am able to spend there.
DeleteYou are a trooper to hike in the heat. I just can't manage it when it is too hot. I do virtual exercise classes online to try to stay in shape! Your hike is much prettier and more scenic than my indoor workouts!
ReplyDeleteHow lucky to have a cherry tree you can reach from your window! They look like yummy!
They were sweet and juicy, really nice! And since we don't "do" anything with that tree (spraying it or so), the cherries even count as organic :-)
DeleteWhen it gets too hot, O.K. and I remain indoors and do precisely nothing! It was so last Sunday, when it was unbearable outside. We had the blinds drawn and were lounging in the darkened living room, reading, snoozing and talking, and drinking plenty of water.
Your cherries look delicious! Glad you managed the walk without being soaked!
ReplyDeleteThey were very sweet and juicy, we don't "do" anything with that tree, no pesticides etc.
DeleteIt was nice to repeat that walk and remaining dry (apart from sweating profusely on the uphill bits in the sun!).