11 November 2006

Schwarzwald Fun

We’re back in Dubai for 2 weeks and already loving the warmth after colder Germany.

Before we came away, J had a business meeting in the southwestern city of Karlsruhe which is an hour away from Stuttgart.

We have friends just out of Stuttgart who we visited over New Year, so this was a perfect opportunity to take the ICE train a day earlier than the meeting to stay overnight with P&M in Herrenberg.

ICE trains are a superb way to travel the country. Travelling at up to 250kph, they're comfortable and a much easier way to get around Germany rather than running the over-hyped security insanity and paranoia which rules air travel nowadays.

Leaving the new Berlin Hauptbanhof Railway station at the ungodly hour of 5:30am, the ICE train made short work of the distance and we arrived in Stuttgart to change trains; finally being met with open arms and big hugs by P&M at the Herrenberg station at 1pm.

It was another perfect autumn day, so after dumping our gear back at the apartment, we headed out into the countryside fringing around the Schwarzwald, aka the Black Forest. After eating lunch at a superb traditional German restaurant, we walked it off by trekking up to a schloss in the woods, revelling in the cold air and marvelling at the beauty of Mother Nature who was busy turning the greenery into yellow, orange and gold.


After walking off lunch, we were hungry again! Next stop was a Wasserschloss, or water castle, where we piled into the teahouse to order cake and coffee.


Luckily we only ordered 2 pieces – look at the size of them - those are fullsize dinner plates!


It was the most delicious Black Forest gateau and Cherry torte that we have ever tasted. What made it even tastier was being in great company with good friends, having yet another amazing adventure!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey you Guys, welcome back into town. The Black Forest looks too tempting, makes me feel like grabbing it right out of the screen.

The fiery sky above the Wasserschloss is too beautiful a sight to describe in so many words.

Beautiful pictures as always :)

Dubai Sunshine said...

Welcome back to sunny Dubai! So where's our next brunch?

Keef said...

That sky in the last picture looks totally unreal!

Melissa said...

Some of the pictures on this site are just beautiful! I'm really jealous :-)

Please keep them up...

halfmanhalfbeer said...

Nzm: welcome back! Absolutely stunning pics. The cherry torte looks amazing!

HMHB

Shaykhspeara Sha'ira said...

Beautiful sky! what a pallette?

Must be good to be back :)

Mise said...

Welcome back guys :D ... Lovely photos brought back memories of the only two times I visited Germany ...both at Halloween ... and the one dessert I really love is Black Forest Gateau ..and that looks absolutely delicious! :D

* said...

Welcome back. (I keeping the home fires burning in AbuDhabi for you)
The pictures are sooooooo BEAUTIFUL. I love this time of the year ,when the leaves are turning gold..

Taunted said...

Great pics, I love Germany, the Mosel valley is spectacular too

Anonymous said...

It 9am and now I want cake. Thanks a lot! :)Beautiful pics. At least you were able to see some autumn colors before returning.

Pandabonium said...

You guys can finish the cake, I'll go for a walk in that forest - gorgeous.

Paresh said...

Holy crap that cake is big.

No. Seriously. It's BIG.

Momo the Wonder Dog said...

I have some questions about ICE trains.

Are they cool? Do you have to dress warmly to ride them? Are drinks on the train served "on the rocks"? Do the tracks ever get blocked? Can you cut a hole in the floor and fish? Does the conductor wear skates?

And finally, is it true that there's a milk train to Cologne - called the ICE Cream Cologne?

clayfuture said...

I just love your pictures. Those trees look so beautiful! and those cake slices... WOW!!

nzm said...

Thanks for the comps on the images!

Momo: you have waaaaay too much time on your paws! Go play with Horsey or get Pandabonium to take you on one of his nice long bike rides!

AM said...

Loved your fall pictures ... :)