Bohemia: Big Stones, Dark Forests, Old Villages

Gallery21. August 2019 hikemindedLeave a comment

Our next hike went from Kyjov (Khaa, Langengrund) trough the valley of the rivers Krinice (Kirnitsch) and Vlci Potok over the village of Vlci Hora and back to Kyjov.

Bohemia: Mystic Pravčická Brána And Edmundova Soutěska

14. August 2019 hikeminded6 Comments

Prebischtor, Edmundsklamm, Wilde Klamm

The hike to natural stone bridge Pravčická Brána (Prebischtor) and through the canyon Edmundova Soutěska (Edmundsklamm, Wilde Klamm) along river Kamenice (Kamnitz) is probably the most famous trail in Bohemia and it is famous for a reason. The beauty of nature is breathtaking and everything looks like it directly jumped out of a fairytale. Tourism there already started in the early 19th century when (rich) people discovered nature as source of recreation. Frequently they didn’t hike themselves but were transported in palanquins through the mountains. The picturesque tavern “Falkennest” (Sokolí hnízdo, falcon nest) was build in 1826 and is still a marvelous building to visit and to have a break with traditional bohemian food. No wonder, that the Chronicles of Narnia where filmed there.

Up the mountain to Pravčická Brána

Location: Mezna Louka – Wilde Klamm – a bit by boat service – Edmundsklamm – by boat again – Hrensko – Prebischtor – Gabrielensteig (Gabrielina Cesta) – Mezna Louka / Distance: 22,5 km Weather: 20 °C, sunny, cloudy / Camera: Nikon D500, 18-105 mm lens

Bohemia: Hrad Tolštejn – Ruins Of A Castle

12. August 2019 hikeminded3 Comments

(Burg Tollenstein)

Built around the 13th century the ruins of the castle of Tolštejn is today a very famous touristic destination. Go there by car or hike from Jiřetín pod Jedlovou (Sankt Georgental).

Old picture of the castle (more history and pictures on Naturwunder in German):

jewish cemetery Berlichingen Jüdischer Friedhof

House Of Eternity: The Jewish Cemetery in Berlichingen

5. August 20195. August 2019 hikeminded5 Comments

Beth Olamin or Bet Olam is the Hebrew word for cemetery, meaning house of eternity. Unlike Christian cemeteries, the ground where the dead are buried should not be disturbed and graves should not be cleared. This means, that jewish cemeteries from the day of their inauguration, are keeping the memory of every community member for all times and are eternally growing. Eternally growing at least is not true for this sacred ground situated in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. The first burial here was probably in 1586, the last in 1936. Jewish life was nearly extinct from the region before and during WW2.

It’s this history of course which is on my mind when letting the special atmosphere of this place resonate with my small self in this vast forest and fields in the middle of nowhere far outside the village. But as well something more. Eternity is beautiful and visible here and makes me reflect on evanescence and being reclaimed by and becoming eternal nature one time.

Other jewish cemeteries:

Kloster Schöntal: A Baroque Architecture Gem

3. August 2019 hikemindedLeave a comment

Kloster Schöntal is situated picturesquely in Schöntal (“Beautiful Valley”) in Baden-Wurttemberg between Heilbronn and Würzburg. The main structures were built between the 12th and the 17th century, amongst them a baroque abbey and a rococo convent.

Kloster Schöntal / Schöntal Monastery

The Abbey of Kloster Schöntal

A stroll through the forest along Jagst river

On our way home

Kew Gardens: Welcome To Fantasyland

10. June 2019 hikeminded8 Comments

At the beginning I thought, there is quite some cheesiness in the glas sculptures of Dale Chihuly exposed in Kew Gardens in London. Bright colors, excessive forms – just an overdose of everything. But than I remembered plants I have photographed in the last years. Nature is like that. Exagerated, colourful and immoderate. So I’m quite d’accord with the artists title “reflections on nature”. Take a look and decide what you think is art and what is nature.
Definitly a must-see.

Red

Blue

White

Yellow

Green

Pink

London Like I Would Never Have Expected It To Be

Gallery8. June 2019 hikeminded9 Comments

A visit to Ottolenghis Restaurant And the best dinner with friends

Night Walk In Islington

Gallery7. June 2019 hikeminded4 Comments

Bright Sunshine And An Angelic Choir In Cambridge

6. June 2019 hikeminded3 Comments

We made an excursion to Cambridge which is a wonderful and very well arranged accumulation of British architecture. Our time was short and so we doubted at first if we should visit King’s College Chapel where there was a service accompanied by the famous King’s College Boys Choir. It would have been so wrong to miss that. The architecture of the chapel and the otherworldly chants impressed us deeply.

Our second favorite thing was the ice-cream we got from a Jack’s Gelato on Bene’t Street. Yummy Earl Grey and prunes flavor. Could it get more British?

English Gardening

5. June 20195. June 2019 hikeminded8 Comments

England is not only the place, where the gras is greener but also paradise for gardeners. We have been to a wonderful show garden with stunning plants from all over the world.