2020-02 - Blog Posts

merpmonde

2 months ago

Busy week done! Lots of work especially on Wednesday, and helping Vent d'Est organise their mah-jong tournament on Sunday to cap it off. We were on the boat in the foreground of this photo taken a few years ago - yep, still there today. A more flattering angle for the river, at a greener time of year, below.

February 2020 was weird

In my mind, visiting Oberkirch mid-February 2020 as my last outing before lockdown in Europe. Actually, that's not true - late February I went to Western France and Paris... but this was indeed my last solo excursion. I went for the carnival, which did take place, but Covid was very much on the horizon at that point. So there's something special about looking back at seeing people at the castle, enjoying the views and nature while it was still possible.

Likely father and two children taking in the view of Oberkirch town from Schauenburg castle ruins.

Likely couple sitting on a low castle wall, seen through the door opening of the dungeon.

The Covid epidemic would be very positive for this black carpenter bee and others of its kind. Fair weather and less human interference made 2020 a great year for honey.

Last look at the winter vineyard beneath Schauenburg castle.

Ruine Schauenburg

My hike in July took me to the South side of Oberkirch, while on the North side sit the ruins of Schauenburg castle. It's a short, but steep, climb from town centre (or you can drive up).

The castle was built at the end of the 11th century by the Duke of Swabia. It saw action mainly in disputes between local lords, most notably after much of the land around the castle was sold to the Margrave of Baden-Baden, around 35 km to the North. It became a ruin following a French invasion in 1689.

Today, a restaurant sits beside the ruin. When I was last there, there was a camera stand to take a clean selfie - you know, the one where you set a timer instead of holding at arm's length. That's where my photo on my professional website comes from.

As is the case from the South side, the castle has a good view of the Rhine plains, and Strasbourg cathedral sticks out. It would have stuck out even more back in the day, without the modern tower blocks. The lords of Schauenburg would have seen the massive gothic cathedral and its monumental spire being built... over the course of a few centuries.