Category Archives: Aachen & Euregio

Charlemagne’s Warriors

Posted on April 30, 2014 by moselman

A haunting spectacle could be viewed in recent days behind Aachen’s ancient octagonal cathedral; ranks of solemn, stately figures could be seen lined up in neat rows, oddly reminiscent of the terracotta Emperor’s Warriors or the Lewis Chessmen. The figures celebrate the 1,200th birthday of Charlemagne, the Dark Age … Continue reading →

Posted in Aachen & Euregio, History & Culture, In Europe, Urbanism | Tagged Aachen, Aachener Dom, Charlemagne, Charlemagne's Throne, Emperor's Warriors, Euregio, Lewis Chessmen | Leave a comment

Spring Woods of the Eifel

Posted on March 22, 2014 by moselman

Spring really has sprung ! …at least here around Aachen and in the sheltered woods and glens of the Eifel, an upland plateau area which lies between Aachen and the river Mosel. This is a great time of year to be out and about in nature in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Aachen & Euregio, History & Culture, In Europe, Trees & Greenspaces, Wild Places | Tagged Aachen, beech, forests, Heimbach, herb paris, Monschau, mosel, oak, Ruhr, sawmills, wildflowers, wood products, woodlands, Zweifall | Leave a comment

Nature’s Children

Posted on August 14, 2013 by moselman

Keeping kids amused in the summer holidays can be a chore but you don’t need to fly your 4-year-old half way around the world to Disneyland to have fun; forget theme parks, computer games, TV and all the organised attractions … Continue reading →

Posted in Aachen & Euregio, Family, In Europe, Trees & Greenspaces, Wild Places | Tagged Environmental Art, environmental education, families, Green Networks, nature, outdoors, Urban Forestry, wellbeing, woodlands | 1 Comment

Green Cities of Europe

Posted on March 22, 2013 by moselman

European countries including Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium have become renowned in recent years for their progressive environmental planning policies which have helped to create some of the world’s most attractive and livable cities. It is therefore no accident that European cities including Vienna, Zurich, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aachen & Euregio, In Europe, Trees & Greenspaces | Tagged Aachen, Berlin, community gardens, Ecotowns, Emscher Landschaft Parc, environmental education, Euregio, Freiburg, germany, Grünmetropole, green infrastructure, Green Networks, Green urbanism, healthy eating, Karlsruhe, Low carbon, Münster, organic growing, renewable energy, Ruhr, Salzburg, sustainable development, trams, urban agriculture, Urban Forestry, Urban Greenways, urban planning, Urban transport | Leave a comment

“Baumhaus”: Radical art down in the woods

Posted on February 28, 2013 by moselman

In a recent summer, something very strange could be seen down in the woods at the “Dreilander Punkt” outside Aachen at the meeting point of Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. Weird shapes and constructions (featuring the most outrageous colour schemes imaginable), graffiti art and … Continue reading →

Posted in Aachen & Euregio, In Europe, Trees & Greenspaces | Tagged Aachen, Dreilanderpunkt, Environmental Art, environmental education, Euregio, nature, Recycling, Sculpture, Treehouses, wellbeing, woodlands | Leave a comment

Carnival in Aachen: Vanquishing the spirits of winter… ?

Posted on February 25, 2013 by moselman

Joie de vivre, frivolity and “letting your hair down” are not characteristics most often associated with the Germans (with the possible exception of the well-known Munich Octoberfest) who are better known for their more sober traits including “attention to detail”, a sense of … Continue reading →

Posted in Aachen & Euregio, History & Culture, In Europe | Tagged Aachen, Carnival, Euregio, Fasching, Germany travel, Rhineland, winter festivals | 1 Comment

Winter market

Posted on November 18, 2012 by moselman

Warming scenes from the “Weihnachtsmarkt” in the medieval old town of Stolberg near Aachen. Gluhwein and crepes with African music ! All of a sudden Christmas seems nearer…

Posted in Aachen & Euregio, History & Culture, In Europe | Tagged Christmas markets, Christmas traditions, germany, gluhwein, history, Stolberg, Stolberg weihnachtsmarkt | Leave a comment

Enchanted Forest

Posted on November 16, 2012 by moselman

We stay next to the Aachener Wald, a large area of mixed woodland located a few just a few minutes walk away from where we live. At this time of year the low angle autumn sunlight shining through the beech leaves gives … Continue reading →

Posted in Aachen & Euregio, In Europe, Trees & Greenspaces, Wild Places | Tagged Aachen, autumn colours, beauty, Enchanted Forest, wellbeing, woodlands | Leave a comment

St Martins Fest – heralding the start of winter

Posted on November 14, 2012 by moselman

One of the joys of living here in Aachen are the many and varied festivals which occur here throughout the year. One of my personal favourites is the St Martins festival which is held every year around the 11th of November. … Continue reading →

Posted in Aachen & Euregio, History & Culture, In Europe | Tagged Aachen, lanterns, legends, seasons, St Martins, winter festivals | Leave a comment

Living in Aachen: Ancient Capital at the heart of Europe

Posted on October 24, 2012 by moselman

Introducing Aachen: Over a year ago, I moved from Edinburgh to the City of Aachen located in the “Euregio” on the border of Germany, Holland and Belgium. Living in Germany’s most Westerly City has given me a great opportunity to learn about the history, … Continue reading →

Posted in Aachen & Euregio, Current Affairs, History & Culture, In Europe | Tagged Aachen, Charlemagne, Culture shock, Euregio, germany, history, legends, outdoors, travel | 7 Comments