Signs

It's been a while. Although winter has been cold I didn't find the time to write in my blog. Today I want to share with you some of my pictures of SIGNS I took on various trips  I always like to take pictures of the different signs hanging above shops etc. Sometimes they are very beautiful or original, often with a lot of details.

These ones were taken in France, Savonne:

This one is from Strasbourg:

These ones are from a small cute village along the wine route:

And these ones from Germany, Speyer:

Fichtelgebirge:

French Food

The best thing of travelling through France, is the food. The French just know how to cook. We really were in food heaven. At the end of a sightseeing day, we ate very well. Here some examples of our food discoveries:

salmon on vegetables

Choucroute... a very big portion of Sauerkraut with different meat and sausage on top

Choucroute is a specialty of the Alsace and a dish adapted from the German Sauerkraut and Eisbein. We also saw variations like choucroute au poison (on fish) and was also available in glasses.

And of course a dream desert .... amazing  chocolate cake a la maison with ice-cream.

 The dessert buffet at the hotel.

A good French breakfast, coffe and croissants. 

 Gugelhupf is famous for the Alsace.

 A good wine is a must.

 Escargots -  snails in garlic sauce

 Fish, sander in delicious sauce and with noodles

 Creme brulee

 A morning in the shopping market: We were amazed at the variety of  fish, sushi, cakes, pastry, cheese, bacon, salami, meat of course wine ...

The only problem with French food seems that it's rich and you have to take care not to eat too much :-)

Summertime - Vacation time

Finally the summer has hit Europe and the temperatures are more than what most people might have hoped for. ... We had around 30 C and even up to 38 C. Even though it cooled off the temperatures will rise again.

I'd enjoyed  my summer trip.
First point: Saarland

The famous "Saarschleife". The river Saar makes a loop. There is a view point up by Cloef which offers a beautiful view from top onto the river's loop. Of course you can also climb up but need proper closed shoos because the way is slightly dangerous, some loose stones etc. For us for a hot day and we didn't wear proper shoos, therefore decided to drive up to enjoy the view. The Cloef Atrium also offers a place for events and a restaurant. It so happened it was a tour of COBRA and lunch time for the drivers. The cars were on exhibit.

Next point: France... Vive la France!  Metz

Metz

The Saint-Stephen Cathedral 

 La porte d'Allemande

 This petite train takes you around the city. With the help of an audio set you'll get some information about the city. Was kind of fun, especially on such a hot day. :-)

On our route to Strasbourg we stopped for a coffee in this sweet little place Saverne

 Next point : Strasbourg
Strasbourg
The tower of the  famous cathedral can almost be seen from anywhere, so tall it is. Inside are two beautiful rosette window designed and a complicated astronomic clock.

 At Kleber place

 And la petite France

Next point: Wine route in Alsace

It's extremely beautiful to explore the route du win but not so easy. The sings are small and sometimes not visible on the first view.