Chestnut Festival

As mentioned in my previous post, this fall I attended a Chestnut Festival in the City of Annweiler.  Approximately 45 mins to an hour from where we live.  It was a beautiful day to enjoy outside and a wonderful atmosphere.

Enjoying A good Bubblie!!

This was Columbus Day weekend so a three day weekend, so Sunday we were out at the festival all day knowing we had Monday to prepare for the week. The previous day I was in Stuttgart for the Volksfest.  Today Sam was able to join us, and was willing to be our driver so the rest of us could enjoy Neuer wine, as well as the chestnut beer, and likor.  All was very delicious.







Brooklyn joined us for our trip.  This is her getting a good view of the festival!!
 

Accidentally Photo, turned out pretty artsy!! Nice Job Sam




Another great weekend in Germany!!  Doing our best getting in a lot of traveling an festivals before the cold weather is here. 

Volksfest

The end of September and beginning of October bring many new things to Germany.  Colder temperatures, pumpkin festivals, chestnut festivals, changing leaves, and best of all Beer and Wine.

So far this year I have been to a pumpkin festival, chestnut festival, beer festival, and enjoyed a number of drives seeing the beautiful changing leaves.  This post I have a number of pictures I would like to share during our time at this years Volksfest. 

The Volksfest took place in Stuggart Germany about 2 1/2 hours from our area.  This I would say is very compariable to the October Fest in Munich, and maybe even better.  Last year Sam and I took the party train to Munich for October Fest, It wasn't wuite what I expected but what ever is. 

Rich, Svetlana, and I outside the Festival

 Svetlana and I both decided to wear our Dirndl's to the Volksfest, good thing we did (I would normally not link to Wiki, but did a good job of describing the Dirndl's).  For the most part we fit in.  No one else had worn the stockings, but I'm happy I did as it did get a bit chilly later into the evening.

New Facebook Profile Pic, Don't worry about that guy in the Background, No idea where he came from

At the Volksfest there were a number of food stands as well as carnival rides.  There was just about anything you wanted to eat.  All sorts of food and sweets!!

In Stuttgart, we were able to enjoy a good German beer anywhere in the fest area, unlike in Munich, beer could only be enjoyed in the large tents. Here I have myself a drink

 

Hope everyone is enjoying there October, more photos and fun to be posted on the blog, the next day after the Volksfest we went to a Chestnut Festival.  Post coming soon.

Rambilings

Sam's Birthday last weekend we had a great time going out with friends!!  Happy 27th Birthday to Sam!!!

Saturday we spent most the day at home, and Sunday I went out to the Pumpkin Festival.  Enjoyed once again some delicious food, didn't get a chance to try the pumpkin soup this year, but all was very good.  I was able to purchase some pumpkins to decorate our place and now have them throughout the house. 

This weekend we went to Neustadt Weinstrasse and enjoyed a great wine festival only about 40 mins from home.  Right now the wine of choice is the years Federweisser or new wine. This wine has about a 4% alcohol per volume.  A delicious wine all over in this area this time of the year.  Yesterday in Rüdesheim am Rhein we also had Federweisser. 

Back in May Sam and I went to Rüdesheim and enjoyed the Rhein River Cruise and the view.  I unfortunately forgot my camera so only took a few pictures on my phone, two below you can see the view and a picture of Brooklyn and I.  

Stopped at the Torture Museum a unique history.

Brooklyn and I using Instagram.

Rodenbach Wine Walk

Rodenbach, small village about 10 mins from our home had a culinary wine walk a few weekends ago.  This is the second time I have attened the wine walk.  Had a great time enjoying some very good wine and food along the walk through fields and trails and viewing the countryside.

I honestly can say I don't recall any of the wine's that I tried, all sweet wines.  We had all sorts of few such as fish sandwich and BBQ beef.  All was so good, never is there anything missed on the food here.  Above is a variety of photos of us all walking.  Sam unfortunately couldn't make it out with us, but we had a great time!!

Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt

 The Bad Dürkheim Wurstmarkt and wine festival begins every year in Mid-September.  Sam, Rich, Svetlana, and I went on September 8th to enjoy the festival.  This was my second year visiting the festival.  The city is approximately 45 mins from our house and in the middle of Germany's Wine street.  Every year around this time a number of wine festivals take place both in the Wine street area as well as along the Mosel (Bernkastel) and Rhine Rivers. 

This first photo show a picture of the entire area, from on top of the Ferris Wheel, the only ride I went on.  You can see on the left all the similar shaped tents.  These were all filled with wine sellers and seats filled.  It is always difficult to find a place to sit, and when you do no one wants to get up in case of losing there seat.  The larger tents had live bands, and more drinking.  We spent most of our time here dancing and having a good time.  There was all sorts of food to include 1/2 chickens, ham sandwiches, crepes and much more.

Sam and Rich with there Liter Beers.

Here at the festival all wine is served in half liter glasses.  We all got wine that was half mixed with sparkling water.  This is the only way to survive the wine fest!!

Svetlana and I

We had a great time dancing to a lot of German songs, having no idea what is being said.  It was Great!!

Sam and I on the Ferris Wheel

To check out more about the  Bad Dürkheim Festival click this link= Wine Festival. 

Greece

 I made it to Greece!!!  A place that I never thought in my life I would have the oppertunity to go until moving to Europe.  When many think of Greece, there first thought is Athens, and the Greek Islands.  I went to neither.   We spent four days in Halkidiki.  To see where this is check out the Map here.  Halkidiki is a part of Greece more eastern of Athens.  We stayed in the city near Koipingi, but traveled to many near by cities to see.  Most of our time was spent out on the beautiful beach enjoying the beautiful sun and water.  Our hotel we stayed at was along the beach a 40 second walk from our room we were on the beach!!

 A view from our room!!

Dinner one night, shrimp, potatoes,  Fried Zucchini (Kolokythakia), and feta!!

 Svetlana on the beach enjoying a Frappe, a common coffee for the area!!

  The beach, Beautiful!! Wonderful weather the entire time we were there!!

We spent the weekend with Svetlana's good Friend Angelina.

 Staple of very meal!! Greek Salad with Feta cheese and Tzatziki.

Me out at dinner enjoying our shrimp dinner and Ouzo!!!


We all had a great weekend!!  While Svetlana and I were in Greece Sam and Svetlana's husband Rich spent the weekend in Austria rafting and canoeing.  I think we choose the better trip as the water in Austria was very cold and not as enjoyable as our time on the beach, food, and party!!

FC Kaiserslautern

It has been a few weeks, but August 26, Sam and I enjoyed our first FC Kaiserslautern Fußball (Soccer) game.  We ended up getting tickets in the family section so was not part of the big action of the fans.  We were though in a great place to see the game and get some photos of the fans.

It was a bit chilly in the stadium, so not the most comfortable game.  The game lasted about an hour and half, and unfortunately neither team won.  FC Kaiserslautern was playing the Munich team.  The season is still in the beginning and we hope to go see another match this year.