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Category Archives: In Europe
“Scotland: Landscapes and Legends”
For anyone in Aachen and surrounding area; I’ll be making a presentation at the Volkshochschule in Stolberg on the 16th May entitled “Scotland: Landscapes and Legends”. I’ll be talking about exploring Scotland’s wild landscapes on foot and by canoe (including many of the locations mentioned on … Continue reading
Posted in History & Culture, In Europe, In Scotland, Mountain Treks, Wild Places
Tagged Canoe Trips, Highlands, mountains, nature, outdoors, Scottish History, sea kayaking, spirit of place, walking
2 Comments
Green Cities of Europe
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
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“Baumhaus”: Radical art down in the woods
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
Carnival in Aachen: Vanquishing the spirits of winter… ?
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
Seeking the Good Life: In the Karwendel Alps
It used to be that virtually all my “holidays” involved being on a mission of some kind or other; whether it was exploring a new part of the world by bike, going on a mountain trek or on a badly planned kayaking adventure in hostile weather conditions. … Continue reading
Posted in Family, In Europe, Mountain Treks, Wild Places
Tagged Alpenpark Karwendel, Alpine trails, Alpinewelt Karwendel, Bavarian Alps, family holidays, Innsbruck, Krün, Mittenwald, mountain walks, Tyrol, Wallgau
1 Comment
Picos de Europa: On foot through Spain’s Costa Verde
It’s mid January and at last we’re snowbound here in Aachen after seemingly weeks of damp, mild winter weather. During these dark, winter days thoughts start turning to sunnier months spent exploring Europe’s wilder places. I’m always amazed by the sheer … Continue reading
Posted in In Europe, Mountain Treks, Spain, Wild Places
Tagged Asturias, bears, Cabrales, Cantabria, Costa Verde, Europe, Fuenta de, Garganta del Cares, Llanes, mountains, nature, Northern Spain, Picos de Europa, Potes, Santander, trekking, Urrieles, walking
3 Comments
Black Forest Mist
Aachen is buffeted by many of the same Atlantic pressure systems that also give the British Isles its renowned damp climate. These weather fronts run up against the foothills of the Eifel plateau (an easterly extension of the Ardennes) and deposit … Continue reading
Castles, Vineyards and Ancient Villages
In the shadow of Burg Thurant: The austere twin towered fortress of Burg Thurant stands impressively on a hill top overlooking the winding streets, ancient houses, inns and vineyards of Alken, a medieval wine village situated on the lower Mosel. This dramatic scene symbolises everything … Continue reading
Posted in Canoe Trips, History & Culture, In Europe
Tagged Bernkastel Kues, Burg Eltz, Burg Thurant, Cochem, cultural heritage, Enkirch, folklore, Germany travel, history, Hochmosel Bridge, kayaking, Koblenz, mosel, Mosel Radweg, Mosel wine villages, Punderich, Riesling, St Aldegund, Traban Trabach, Trier, Vineyards
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Winter market
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…
Enchanted Forest
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
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Off the Beaten Track 