Tuesday 15 April 2014

Cherry Blossoms in Frauenstein, Weisbaden

We learnt very soon after our move to Germany that shops are all closed on a Sunday, as it is a day of worship and rest. It is also forbidden to hang washing outside, mow the lawn and wash the car on a Sunday!

So we have embraced what the locals do and head out for a walk in a forest. Last Sonntag (Sunday), we headed over to Frauenstein Village which is surrounded by vineyards and cherry orchards as the cherry trees were in bloom. Was lovely to walk amongst the trees, light breezes sending flurries of blossoms all over us.

On a warm, sunny day it was a popular destination but the area has many walking paths to wander along. We mostly had the area to ourselves and were free to enjoy the last of the season's blossoms in a serene environment. 

Cherry Blossoms in Frauenstein, Weisbaden

Cherry Blossoms in Frauenstein, Weisbaden

Cherry Blossoms in Frauenstein, Weisbaden

Cherry Blossoms in Frauenstein, Weisbaden

Cherry Blossoms in Frauenstein, Weisbaden

Cherry Blossoms in Frauenstein, Weisbaden

We then followed a track up the hill and into the forest. The vibrant green of the new spring leaves stunning and bright. We followed arrows to what we thought may be a restaurant. We delighted in the fresh air and walk amongst the trees.

Forest Walk in Frauenstein, Weisbaden

The arrows led us to a lovely clearing with no signs of a restaurant, just a sign that we couldn't read and a bench to rest on. We let the dog of his lead and threw him a ball for a while before we headed back down the hill.

Forest Walk in Frauenstein, Weisbaden

When we got home I put the text that was on the sign into Google Translate, expecting it to be some sort of camp site. This is what was translated:

"This place is a funeral site, therefore please only enter sunrise and sun-down transition. Please leash dogs. Please do not smoke. Cycling and horse riding is forbidden"

We had inadvertently wandered into a 'Funeral Forest' where the ashes of the deceased are buried in biodegradable urns amongst the roots of the trees and we had let the dog off the lead. I profoundly apologise and will step up my study of the German language. We are certainly learning something every day, often by mistake.

I really hope that these guys were the only ones who saw this mistake!

Forest Walk in Frauenstein, Weisbaden

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