The Colour of Autumn

Few things conjure up Autumn than the colours and changes in trees etc. In Queensland, we don't get much of a seasonal change, but I recall vividly my first trip to Canberra and enjoying the vibrant colours of red, gold and rust of the fallen leaves. Here in Europe, Autumn has an intensity that is quite wonderful, and they celebrate seasonal change in a more profound way than we do in Australia.

Germany is a seasonal country - fruit and vegetables are generally only available during their growing season, not all the time like in Australia. In the south of Germany where I am currently, pumpkins are the big thing at this time of year and they perfectly show off the colours of Autumn. Hence, Ludwigsburg has a Pumpkin Festival, held in the grounds of a schloss (castle / palace) which in itself is a wonderful place to visit. Here you can see and sample the delights of the humble pumpkin. I had an absolute ball and really enjoyed the pumpkin fries, served hot with herb quarck (a sort of cheese). Each festival has a theme, this year's is sport. There was pumpkins depicting soccer, boxing, skiing etc, etc. I also learned that the German word for pumpkin is kuerbis and that pumpkins are very photogenic.

Ludwigsburg Palace and southern gardens

Pumpkins lining the pond

Multiple uses for pumpkins

Pumpkins come in all shapes and sizes

The colour of Autumn

Strange pumpkins - Turks Turban variety

Another strange pumpkin - Gremlins variety

A Fork in the Road

Firstly, my apologies for not updating the blog earlier. I was wrestling with my conscience and trying to find a reliable internet connection with little success.

Sunday - 29th September

I finally made it to Ponferrada in pouring rain and with my ever present foot pain on 28th September. Really annoying but I thought it would be okay after a rest. The downhill stuff is getting to be really painful. So, after getting some advice, it turns out I may have actually hurt my back, which may be the source of much of my severe foot pain. The rest of it is manageable with anti-inflammatories and regular massage of the foot. I was advised to cease carrying the backpack and rest to see if the pain subsided. Looking seriously at what I thought I could accomplish, I have made the difficult and disappointing decision to cease the walk.

Accordingly, I went back to Madrid to ponder my options and decided it would be best to contact my friend in Germany and see if I could visit a couple of weeks earlier than planned. That means, I will probably bring my flight home forward as well. All in all, I've had a wonderful trip since I left Australia in February and didn't have anywhere else in Spain I had a burning desire to visit just now. Apart from that, I can't walk very far, even not carrying the backpack, so I don't really feel like more sightseeing at the moment.  Also, if I have the opportunity to come back to Spain, I could finish the walk in about 15 - 20 days so do-able on a normal vacation. Perhaps subconsciously I just want an excuse to come back to Spain?

Monday, 30th September

Decision made. I'm off to Germany on Thursday via a 15 1/2 hour train trip - Madrid to Figueres; Figueres to Paris, change stations and trains and then train to Germany. Need to get up before 5 am to catch the train from Madrid. However, I'm staying in a part of Madrid I know reasonably well as I stayed near here in May with my friend Gillian. Great location and only 10 min walk to the train station. Now, if I can get my foot to cooperate, I can visit some favourite haunts from that trip.

Thursday, 3rd October - 10 pm

Finally in Germany. Very long day after getting up at 5am to catch the train from Atocha Train Station. Walked to the station in the rain to find the main entrance doesn't open until 8 am. No signage to alternative entrance. Walked around the building until I found a security officer who showed me where to go.

Train changes in Figueres and Paris easy. I took taxi in Paris, as I just can't work out the metro system. In Paris I had to change stations from Gare de Lyon to Paris Est. Seems simple on the transit map, but I couldn't find the information desk to ask how to manage it. Oh well, taxi not that expensive for piece of mind - only had 1 hour to get to the other station so not much time for mistakes.

Finally arrived at my friend's apartment at 10.00 pm, very tired and feeling a little sad at the end of my fabulous year.  However, I enjoy new haunts to explore and whilst I've been to this part of Germany before, there is much more to see and experience. Autumn in Germany. Should present some interesting photo opportunities.