The Arrival of Christmas 2

A few days ago we posted a video about giant Christmas tree to be errected in Strasbourg.

Here, the second installment: the arrival of the tree in Strasbourg.



Le grand sapin, épisode 2 : l'installation place Kléber
envoyé par VilledeStrasbourg. - Regardez les dernières vidéos d'actu.

Admiring the details

Today, we will take you around the Rue de la Synagogue:

Before we walk around the semi-circular street, let's just pause a moment and think what it would be like to sit here on a warm summer's day:

On the right hand side is a rather unusual sign to see in this part of the world, and next two it, an Alsatian couple, perhaps spending a quiet Sunday afternoon maybe 100 years ago?

Looking at them more closely:

and here, the gentleman:

Because it is autumn, the abundance of chestnuts in the region need to be stored properly. This is how it's done:

And last but not least, a little imagination and fun with what can be done with clay pots:

and meet this young lady:

Let your mind roam

Walking around a small town like Lembach is also really about putting aside the daily routines and whatever fills your mind. It is an opportunity to let the brain take a holiday as well, without switching it off. And this is what happens when you come to the the grandest building in Lembach - the small château.

It might be important for the local history journals, but not for one's self - so who might have lived here? Was is some local count or earl, with a small profitable estate? What might have his normal day been like some 250 years ago? Did he have any daughters he needed to marry off? And were there any eligible young royalty in the region - maybe as far as Strasbourg?

And how would they have used the large garden at the back? Grow vegetables or keep it as a nice lawn to be used in summer months and have meals outside?

After a while, letting your mind roam, the imagination run wild, you lose all sense of time. Just staring into the grounds and transporting yourself into a different world.

Walking further down the road, you might see this wonderfuls sight:

Lembach and Outer Space

Lembach is a small village with about 1600 inhabitants. Small and quiet as it may be, it does have some fascinating sides to it. But first, here a first impression looking from the west.

The first mention of Lembach was back in 754 during the Gallo-Roman times. The river Sauer flows through Lembach and during the middle ages it was a divided town. On the right bank of the Sauer was an administrative area "the Flecken" - a fief granted by a lord to a vassal. And on the left bank, a village with land, free of any obligations.

This week, we are in the "Flecken" side of the village.

Walking along the Rue Disteldorf from the Marie, which is pretty much the centre of the town, you will see a sign leading the way to the "Flamme de la Paix". It is a stone statue, depicting flames and dedicated to peace, something which is prevalent in Lembach and erected in 1995.

Equally interesting, perhaps, is what happened 10 years later.  A second plaque was placed next to the statue:

The plaque was inaugurated by Russel L. Schweickart, the Apollo IX astronaut and who's grandparents were born and raised in Lembach.

Follow us please

You can go in all directions from Pfaffenbronn, but before embarking on long journey, it does pay to explore the one or other little street in nearby Lembach. Some little surprises - starting here tomorrow.

It's warm today

We are experiencing extremely warm temperatures for this time of the year so the wood, piled high at Fleckenstein Castle just a few miles from Pfaffenbronn, will not be needed. Not yet, anyway.

One eats well here

We were made aware of this restaurant by Clotilde Dusoulier in her blog http://chocolateandzucchini.com. She had visited the http://www.restaurantburestubel.com/ back in 2004. Now, some six years later, we were not dissappointed. It is located just north west of Strasbourg but it could seem light years away. A pretty courtyard gives a good hint of the summer ambience. The menu is Alsation cuisine, perfectly cooked dishes and some gems on the wine list. Reservations essential, even mid-week.

92 Years Later

Today is a holiday in France as the country remembers those who fell during the First World War. It is now so far back in history, those who lived through it, experienced it have passed on. But maybe this harvested cornfield might serve as a memory of what it must have been like in those trenches, 92 years ago.

Autumn Fire

The eastern gate in Wissembourg is a blaze of red leaves in the autumn.

Who says cliches can't be charming?

It is almost the typical definition of life in France - a cult car, the 2CV and life in the country not to mention all the other trappings in this part of the world. Maybe cliches aren't such a bad things sometimes?

Durable

Change is always evaluated on the basis of whether it is necessary, whether it provides a true advantage. And while the Alsace is a highly modern and industrialized region of France, why tear down an old wooden barn just for some modern structure?

Cross Border Artisanal Market

Once every autumn, there is a cross border producer and artisanal market in Wissembourg. Producers and specialists from both Germany and the local region in France set up shop. So it was again today. You are warmly encouraged to touch, taste, discuss, learn and buy their goods. This is not the usual farmers market which takes place every Saturday - this is the higher end of the local food culture.

The Arrival of Christmas

Le grand sapin, épisode 1 : la coupe
envoyé par VilledeStrasbourg. - Regardez les dernières vidéos d'actu.


Preparations for the giant Christmas tree to be placed in the centre of Strasbourg.

Transitions

The transition from one season to another. While the freshly harvested grapes slowly become wine, the wood collected many, many months ago is used to heat the houses. Life moves from being outside to retreating into cosy indoors - drinking the wine from past vintages, the mirabelles, the eau de vie. Not to mention the change in foods. Whatever the transition, the pace is always unhurried - because one would not enjoy the moment.

The Wine Expert

He is 76 years old. Satisfied. Also with the grape harvest this year. Not as good as the one in 2009, but "I'm still satisfied" he said.

End of season

Not much has been left. Everything has been harvested and the fields are now bare during the winter months. The occasional corn cob can be found, but it was grown as the winter feed for the livestock in the area.

Sunrise

We have had a few wonderful sunny days here. Some breath taking sunrises, like here, just north of the Weintor on the German side of the border.