galathea: (Default)
galathea ([personal profile] galathea) wrote2012-06-10 06:20 pm
Entry tags:

Picspam | Odenwälder Weininsel

Once upon a time, I promised [livejournal.com profile] llywela13 a picspam about the area where I live, and since we had a gorgeous day today and I had nothing urgent to do, I decided to make good on that promise.

I hope you enjoy the picspam, hon!





I live in a small town (population ca. 11.000) situated at the foothills of the Forest of Odes - about 50km south of Frankfurt - in the middle of a wine-growing region. It's a pretty idyllic town with a historic city core, surrounded by orchards and vineyards, which is why it is called 'Odenwälder Weininsel' (wine-island of the Forest of Odes) by the locals. I took the walk up to the vineyards today - it's a 20 mins walk from my flat - and I think the pictures speak for themselves ...














_________
This is my first shot at a panorama. It's put together from three photos. I think it works pretty well.

And here are some pictures from the historic city core. Unfortunately I am not very knowledgeable where the history of the city is concerned, so I can't tell you much about the buildings. I do know, however, that the town's roots reach back to 125 A.D. Parts of the Roman city wall and Roman gravesites are still preserved.


____________
This is the city hall. It's a Renaissance building, the foundation stone dates back to 1604.




____________
Most of the old buildings in the city have been carefully restored. The pictures above show the old vicarage and surrounding lordly leaseholds, dating back to the 1600s. In the second picture you can see the old Roman city wall in the back.






[identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com 2012-06-10 08:34 pm (UTC)(link)
PRETTY GERMANY!!!! ♥ How long have I been waiting for these photos? *G*

I love those buildings - the architecture is so different from what we have here. Learn more about your town's history! I bet it's really interesting. Now I want to see the Roman city wall and graves...:):):)

I'm so jealous of that blue sky (we had rain again today). And that you have such a pretty walk so close to home. ♥

Thank you!

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 07:26 am (UTC)(link)
ROFL you waited way too long. But hey, better late than never, right?! :D

Yeah, the architecture is very different from what you have. I think that every time I am in the UK. There is really not that much to see from the Roman city wall - it's a wall! It's mostly integrated into the restored buildings, like in that one photo. The other Roman archaelogocial finds are in a museum of local history, which I have never actually visited. LOL I am just not that much of a history buff.

It was a great day and not too hot either, so it was perfect for a walk. It's a really pretty walk, but the climb up the vineyards is also very steep, so I usually only venture up there when I have visitors. You know me, it's way too difficult to get me away from my computer anway. LOL

[identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 07:32 am (UTC)(link)
Okay, so one day I will get my passport renewed and come and visit you and make you take me to your museum of local history. And then you'll know all about it. *G*

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 07:41 am (UTC)(link)
LOL you'd have to visit me this year though, since it is very likely that I have to move next year - maybe even this year. /sigh My boss wants to relocate the firm closer to where he lives, and it'll be impossible for me to drive there every day; it's just too far away. So I'll either move with the firm or I'll have to look for a new job - and I like my current job!

[identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 08:01 am (UTC)(link)
Eh, nothing is ever easy - and moving is a nightmare! We'll have to have a proper chat soon and you can tell me all about it!

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 08:03 am (UTC)(link)
God, I hate moving. I moved way too often in my life and I was really ready to just settle here. I love my flat and I love living here, so the thought of moving really sucks!

Yeah, we can have a chat next weekend. I have no plans so far. :)

[identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 08:04 am (UTC)(link)
It's a date!

[identity profile] bowtrunckle.livejournal.com 2012-06-10 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
So gorgeous. You live in a beautiful area! Your walk looked lovely. Thanks for sharing, it brightened my day. :)

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 07:13 am (UTC)(link)
I am happy I could brighten your day. :) The walk is beautiful, it's a shame I don't do it more often, because it's just too difficult to get me away from my computer. *g*

[identity profile] lindahoyland.livejournal.com 2012-06-10 11:10 pm (UTC)(link)
It looks beautiful!

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 07:10 am (UTC)(link)
Thanks, glad you like it. :)

[identity profile] nikkimisplaced.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 09:16 am (UTC)(link)
So beautiful! I want to come visit! *hugs*

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 09:52 am (UTC)(link)
Heh, you're always welcome! *hugs*

[identity profile] uglybusiness.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
*spent her whole life in a coal-mining, steel-casting industrial monster with a history of whole 143 years and population over 1.7 million* *dies of envy*

How pretty!

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, I can't imagine living in a place like that. I've always lived in rural regions. I like to have bigger cities nearby for my cultural needs, but I would never want to live in a metropole. Since this region mainly lives from agriculture and wine and fruit cultivation, there is little industry around and I prefer it that way.

You never thought of moving somewhere else?

[identity profile] uglybusiness.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm honestly not sure where to. I have health condition that limits my abilitiy to work, plus, I need treatment that's not available everywhere, plus, I am kind of permanently broke because of all of the above. *sigh* Also, I suppose I'm lazy/scared of changes? LOL.

Still, I would love to live in some quiet place with lots of fresh air, and grass, and trees. Not to mention, with ancient history. :)

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 06:15 pm (UTC)(link)
Aww, man, I am sorry that you feel so limited in your choices due to illness. *hugs* I do get the 'lazy/scared of changes' thing. It's easy to get stuck in a rut. I've moved so often these last 20 years, I feel really ready to just settle down somewhere and never leave. LOL I thought this town was it, but as I told Jo, I might need to move for my job next year anyway. /sigh

And you would probably appreciate living in a town with ancient history more than I do. LOL I am not a history buff and I never really take in the history of the towns where I live.

[identity profile] fotw-sv.livejournal.com 2012-06-11 11:56 pm (UTC)(link)
OMG Chris, those pics are sooo beautiful! I love the landscapes and the beautiful sky views. So pretty. Love the historical buildings too. My Dad's family is from Germany back in the 1800's so I'm enjoying seeing my family homeland. Love seeing beautiful pics like that. Thanks for sharing them. Bought 4 grape vines of my own this Spring but still need to build the arbor...lol

Hope you are well. I'm not on here much anymore post Smallville. RL is pretty busy so I really don't miss it all so much anymore. Going from an apartment to owning again keeps me away from the mac. Nice to see you still posting though. *Hugs*

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-06-12 08:53 am (UTC)(link)
Hey, hon! *hugs* Long time no see! :) Glad you like the pictures. I was lucky that it was such a gorgeous day - the cloud patterns really give some of the photos a lovely 'dramatic' atmosphere. *g*

I am very well, thank you! It's understandable that a busy RL keeps you from your online activities. Of course, fandom is a strong motivator for online activities and once you drop out of fandom, online time will inevitably be reduced - unless you get into a new fandom, that is. LOL I am not sure what will become of my LJ once SPN is over, but from the looks of it, that might still take a while. :)

[identity profile] fotw-sv.livejournal.com 2012-06-13 03:51 am (UTC)(link)
To be honest, I'm not looking for another fandom. I'm bored with most shows these days and enjoy learning/history channels more when I do get to watch the tube. I have a small show list since I spend more time in the garden. Not enough spare time to be online like I used to but occasionally I'll come around to see some familiar places and old friends. ;)

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-06-13 07:57 am (UTC)(link)
That's okay. Maybe SV was it for you and you will never find something else that will capture you in the same way. Or maybe you fall for a new show when you least expect it. :) I am glad you drop by from time to time. My online friends have become such an integral part of my life that I can't quite imagine that I'll ever quit my online life for good, no matter if I am in fandom or not.

[identity profile] rosely.livejournal.com 2012-07-17 07:58 am (UTC)(link)
Oh wow! That's a wonderful area! It's like you're on holiday every day there <3

[identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com 2012-07-17 08:07 am (UTC)(link)
Heh, yeah, it's pretty peaceful and idyllic. Of couse, like more people who live in idyllic places, I probably don't appreciate the beauty of it as much as I should. :)