The Black Forest is a wooded mountain range in southwestern Germany.
As our tour bus passed by I snapped some pix...while moving..hence a tad blurry..
Similar to other forested regions, the Black Forest has had areas that were annihilated by mass logging.
The forest mostly consists of pines and firs, chiefly a mixture of the European native Norway Spruce and American imported Douglas Fir and White Pine.
**************
Wood-carving is a traditional cottage industry in the region and carved ornaments now are produced in substantial numbers as souvenirs for tourists.
Cuckoo clocks are a popular example; they have been made in the region since the early 18th century and much of their development occurred there.
In the past singing bird boxes were produced as well.
we watched a terrific demo of how the clocks are made piece by piece.
*************************
The Lenster and I spotted this most unusual clock (below).
It is NOT a cuckoo clock...in fact, it is the original type of clock used before the cuckoo clock and was the prototype for the cuckoo.
All the internals are wood. It runs on the concept of a rock pulley. Has a single hand which tells the hour and markings between each hour for quarter of the hour minutes.
and, because we have other art in our house that has 'rocks' as part of their design we fell in love !! WE BOUGHT IT. I used my 3 magic words... "DO YOU SHIP" and it was a done deal !
*************************
Glass Blowing is another art from this area.
and what would Germany be without a stein ?
****************
The unmarried ladies of the Black Forest wear "Bollunhuts"..red pompom hats.....I had to have a snap...No, I didn't buy one ! I'm married...they wear black pompoms!
Even our guide had on traditional dress !
On the half hour you get a lovely visual as the dancers go around the balcony and the cuckoo comes out of the window.
********************
and then it's back to the boat where the swans are there to greet you...
and dinner is waiting
and goodbyes are said ...with our FAAAAABULOUS waiter Juraj
and we say so long for now to our besties from California
and we head for home !!!
WHAT A FABULOUS TRIP WITH FABULOUS FRIENDS !!!
and guess what....we're gonna do it all again when we head out to Russia with them in May 2014 !! STAY TUNED !!
Comments