Stein am Rhine

Summer Day Excursion 

This little walled town is notable for its painted buildings. Historic murals adorn many of the old facades. 

The approach

The entrance, on foot only


First view


Note the fountain in front of the shop. The water is drinkable, and got used. It as a murderously hot day.

The town takes its flowers seriously.

Yes, tourism is their business 


Note the bug


Another fountain


Mary was here!





Painted buildings!





No longer politically correct, but still historical, “The Moorish King”


A happy sun

And all of these have stories….




Mosaic in the cobblestones….


….at the hotel of the eagle…..


…..with a restaurant.


More to come…

Ittingen, Continued

Former Monastery

We came to the gardens and greenhouses.

It’s cherry season


Lots and lots of herbs for sale


How to support hydrangeas (called Pentecost Roses here)


Love’s labor


A long landscaped walkway with seasonal flowers 















A beautiful trumpet flower tree filled with happy bees

A less beautiful pond with happy dragonflies




And then a stop in the shop for some Mirabelle Schnapps for our lady, some herbal salt for my kitchen, and other delicacies made on the premises. 


Next, onward to Stein am Rhine.

Summer Blooms

Look What Opened

This is re-bloom of an Amaryllis that Maria gave me last year.

Happy July

Hot, HOT, HOTTER 

As we all swelter in the high temperatures, enjoy a garden view from Mary.

More to follow.

Neuchâtel 

Sightseeing at a Monastery and on the Rhine

Ittingen and Stein am Rhine

Yesterday we went north. First stop was at a former monastery of the Carthusian Order - called Karthauser, in German, or the Order of St. Bruno. The order was founded in 1084, in France, growing to about 280 monasteries in Europe and few other places, most of which are not now in use. The one in Ittingen is now a retreat/symposium/concert center. They also have an agricultural focus, both dairy, and horticulture. They have vegetable and herb gardens, flower gardens, and greenhouses. And they have notable brewery.

Old and new










Note the crows

Big trees




Covered walkway between residence rooms and dining hall




Note the waterspout

Beautifully wrought hinges


Retreat rooms


Some sort of art project


Mary was here. 😀 

Pull out your Latin: “A little door out to…..”


One of our trio liked this best. 





To be continued…