A family weekend in Germany

Yesterday was a holiday here, Pentecoast. We came back to Basel after having spent the weekend with C's aunt and uncle that live in Berlin. They moved to Berlin from Sollentuna in Sweden about 7 years ago. We met up in the small village of Muchenlock in the Neckar valley of Germany (located about half an hour drive from Heidelberg). It is here that C has his family origins as his grandfather was from here. Above is a picture of Muchenlock that I took Saturday morning when we went for a nice morning walk up the hill. One of those small typical German villages. I would guess Muchenlock has a population of approximately 1000 inhabitants. A small village with it's own charm. C's relatives run a Gasthaus and a butcher shop here.

I had been here previously with C back in the days when we had just met. I realized it was about 13 years ago since I was here the last time. Time sure flies.

We drove Saturday morning from Basel and the drive took us about 3 hours. It is so incredibly lush and green here in the Neckar valley where the Neckar river meets the Rhine. The ferrys run up and down the river taking people on cruises from Heidelberg and then turning back here as they reach the dam further down. Another more distant relative of C actually owns and runs one of these river cruises. This is his very own boat that we caught here as we were admiring the view over the river and the valley.

We had a lovely Saturday afternoon sitting and relaxing at this Bier Garten enjoying the sunshine, the view of the river and just catching up. Saturday was a nice warm and sunny day. Perfect to sit in a Bier Garten and have a few beers or sipping a glass of cool white wine as I did.

Love these small towns with their pretty houses and buildings.

This Wisteria looks so beautiful overhanging the entrance.

This is C's family Gasthaus. They live in another house even if there is an apartment directly above where you can live. Not sure if any one lives here currently. They run the Gasthaus as a restaurant that is open three days a week and the rest of the week they are busy running the catering service. We had Sunday dinner here and the place was packed with people. A popular spot in the village.

 Sunday we drove into Heidelberg. A nice city with plenty of old history. The Heidelberg castle overlooks the city from a cliff above. We had a nice stroll a long the main shopping street even if everything was closed. The weather was not as great for the rest of the weekend as it had been Saturday when we had arrived, chillier and windy with a hint of rain in the air. 

Well now we are back home in Basel. It was nice that the drive home was not more than 3 hours. A much longer drive back for C's aunt and uncle to Berlin. It is a rainy day here in Basel today. It sure makes the city green that way.