Not really "Miles & More" as in the airline scheme, but in that I was zooming back and forth all over the place during the week from June 19 to 25, ending up with I don't know how many miles of train trips under my belt.
Also, it was hot all week, with temperatures in the low 30s Celsius (80s F) and only a brief respite on Wednesday, when it was a tad cooler at maybe 25 Celsius. But we had some very welcome and badly needed rain, too.
Starting on Monday (June 19) with a train trip to Kassel, roughly 350 km from my hometown; the trip was pleasant enough, taking me through towns and countryside I don't see often. Unsurprisingly, I arrived with a 40 minute delay, but had plenty of time before the start of my meeting.
My non-descript hotel room. Small, clean; good for one night. |
Views from my room |
The reason for the trip was a meeting with the German Association of Data Protection Officers, of which I am a member. The meeting was good - it usually is when you are with a group of like-minded people who want to do some serious work but also know how to have fun -, and there was even time for a short walk up to Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, a famous landmark not far from our hotel, before we all met again for dinner.
Schloss Wilhelmshöhe. I would have loved to explore, but there was not enough time for that. |
View from Wilhelmshöhe towards Kassel |
A cobbled courtyard near the hotel |
Another rainfall made for a slightly cooler Wednesday, the 21st of June. I was taking part in a seminar in Weilimdorf all day, which was good but as exhausting as such things can be.
Knowing it was technically the longest day of the year with sunset being a little after 9:30 pm, I marked it as my personal midsummer celebration and walked to Benningen, enjoying every step in the evening light.
For the third (and last) time that week, it rained during the night to Thursday (June 22), but warmed up again to 32 C during the day. I worked on-site in Weilimdorf again and was too tired (and it was too hot) for an after-work walk.
Sunset view from my Third Room |
Friday (June 23) meant an early start, because I was expected in Obertürkheim. It is only about 20 km from Ludwigsburg, but train trips are complicated right now due to construction works on the train lines, and it takes at least an hour to get there.
We had a good meeting with the regional group of my professional association; I gave two presentations myself and found the discussions and presentations of the others quite interesting.
After we'd wrapped up the meeting, I started to O.K.'s directly from Obertürkheim, making my usual Friday evening trip longer by about half an hour. A delay of 20 minutes meant I arrived in Offenburg at about 8:45 pm.
The evening was pleasant enough for us to sit out on O.K.'s balcony for our meal of bread, cheese and rosé wine - a lovely start into the weekend, and it could not come too soon for me!
We were at a wedding on Saturday, the 24th of June. Bride and groom are in the village band, so O.K. had to be in church in time to provide the music for the service. I went up a little later and sat with O.K.'s parents - the church was full, and much warmer than anticipated.
After the service, most of the congregation (myself included) went over to the vicarage garden, where the band played some more, and sparkling wine (and other drinks) were served.
At 30 Celsius, everyone was looking for shade, and I felt sorry for the band members in their full uniform - some of them were right in the sun, and visibly glad when they finished playing!
Those of us who were invited to the actual wedding party then took off to the venue about 17 km away. We had secured a ride with another family so that O.K. did not need to drive.
It was a good party, with delicious food, plenty to drink, only two "silly" games (I am not too fond of this part of most weddings), and a live band to provide music for the small dance floor.
The venue is right on the border of the river Rhine, next to a bridge crossing over to France. Views from there were beautiful, and around sunset, everyone tried to get to the top floor and take pictures.
We stayed until the family we were to ride home with left, and arrived at the cottage at 20 to 1 in the morning - a little early for a wedding, but it was fine by us; we'd had our fill of food, drink and dancing.
As usual after such a celebration, Sunday (June 25) was quiet. The day was too hot at 32 C to go for a walk or do much; we hung out at the cottage, went to see O.K.'s parents (they live just across the road from the cottage) and had a short nap in the afternoon.
The evening light drew us out for a sunset walk around the village, which was really beautiful.
We ended the day (and the week) by having our delicious meal of O.K.'s home made ratatouille and Apérol Spritz on the balcony.