Ivo the angel, and Finn's hitman, turns up to bundle me into a car

Finn suggests taking the train over the mountains

A Schwarzwalder Kirschtorte finally in Schwarzwald

Not just Osterhase but also Osterlamm, alongside the local brews.

Marveling at the inner workings of this 100 year old cuckoo clock

The city gates proclaim that they have joined Germany. For now.

Got the low-down from the ex-ober-ministrantin

Fritz proving that he actually did a semester of clockmaking back in the day

I got to don the Bauernhut and check out the classic tractor

Per cleaning out the ashes of this traditional Kachelofen

Finn is surprised I want to go on despite the storm

A fountain work from Donaueschingen, grudgingly allowed.

Who is here at Bräunlingen?

Apr 1–3, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

Huh... what? Finn is back!

I needed help with the storm planning, so Finn helpfully sent Ivo to bring Schopper and me to Katha's parents' home in Bräunlingen.

Fritz and Petra invited me to a lunch of yummy soup and Bärlauch Späzle and Reh-braten. Over lunch, Fritz told me of the proud history of this city, not village, of 6000 people going back to 1305. And the long-standing fight against the Prince of Donaueschingen, with help actually coming from the Habsburgs in Vienna! Then I learnt about the super house he built himself from Black Forest wood, and got to check out the classic Kramer tractor that was manufactured two towns over. This Alemannische wizard had so much to share!

Katha and Finn then took me on a tour of the most important city sights. I got to see how these Zähringer cities were built, with concentric walls and houses along them. Only 12 such cities exist in Europe.

This turned out to be a Schwarzwald festival! What a wonderful home, and pride in an utterly local and rich heritage.Read more