Many moons ago I promised to share with you one of the favourite activities RISKKO and I use to keep trim on our summer weekends in the Alps.

Put quite simply we pop up the local mountain which is called the Schwarzenberg (or the ‘Black Mountain’). This takes about 90 minutes and although it can be somewhat strenuous the view of the Voralpenland (the Austrian/Bavarian Alps) when we reach the top is absolutely fabulous.

The photos below are taken from our last trip up the mountain and under each picture I have added a little commentary to explain the context. Not too many words because after trekking up and down the mountain a couple of times I do not have much time left at the weekend for writing. If you really would like to read something I have added a new section to the website where I intend to describe some interesting articles from the alpine press which are unlikely to get prominence in the English language media. These articles are intended to encourage debate and hopefully will give you some insight about issues and interests in this part of the world. If you have any comments please do not hesitate to share them. The link to the first article is here.

Now, let us get started on the journey up the Black Mountain or the Bavarian Schwarzenberg (there is more than one Schwarzenberg!). The mountain stream (actually it is more like a river) that runs past our apartment here rather conveniently runs alongside much of our route up the mountain. This stream or ‘bach’ is called the Osterbach and not surprisingly it has numerous waterfalls (one of which happens to be next to my kitchen).

After about 30 minutes following the Osterbach up the mountain we arrive at Thalhäusl were there is a lovely alpine chapel. After the Chapel we take a route through the forest.

If you are interested in finding out what is inside this little chapel I featured it in a recent blog. The link is here

After a short journey through the forest (actually its a short cut that few people know about) we arrive at a small plateau were there are often cows grazing and playing pleasant alpine tunes with their cow bells as they eat the grass. You will see from the background in the photo below that we are really on the edge of the alps – the flat land behind me stretches for hundreds of kilometers.

At the other side of this plateau is a small wooden bridge which marks the entrance to the more challenging part of the journey. From this point the trail follows a combination of different kinds of routes ranging from very steep and slippery paths which when it rains turn into streams, to very pleasant forest paths surrounded by wonderful plants and the occasional forest animal.

Just before the Schwarzenberg summit we reach another plateau. For me this is what makes the journey worthwhile. Here you can enjoy fantastic views of the Voralpenland including the Wendelstein and Breitenstein mountains. Actually the mountain view from the plateau is better than that from the summit. The Schwarzenberg summit has trees on the alpine side which obscure the mountain view. However the view of the plains on the other side is also remarkable. On a good day you will see a very long way.

One note of caution. Sometimes cows graze on the plateau and they may occupy the space between the end of the forest path and the Schwarzenberg summit. I would recommend that it is a good idea to leave these cows alone – they have a very important job making alpine milk. If you try to walk through them at the wrong time of day it is quite likely they will think you are going to take them for milking and before long you will have a herd of enthusiastic alpine milk producers running after you.

The pictures below were taken as we followed the trail back down the mountain to the smaller plateau which we passed on the way up. I often have noticed deer grazing here and today was no exception. A perfect finish to a perfect day!

If you are interested in reading my other health focused articles try the following

Torture In The Shower – Face and Body Soap Allergies – Main Suspect: Pears Transparent Soap

Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

Is Alzheimer’s caused by the Gum Disease Bacterium P. Gingivalis – A Dementia Prevention/Treatment Breakthrough?

Toxic Chemicals in Sex Toys – 18 Vibrators, Cock Rings, Love Balls Tested – Only 3 Get All Clear

My T-shirt Made Me Sick – Textile Allergies – Sinusitis From Your Underwear

I am changing the location for this week’s blog article from the south of Spain to the northern part of Germany known as the Ruhrgebiet. This is often described as the industrial heartland of Germany and is well-known for its many factories and the associated infrastructure which allows them to get raw materials from, and to transport end products to, other parts of Europe and the World. However within this industrial area I was still able to get close to nature in the centre of the City of Bochum by staying in a hotel (Marriott’s Courtyard Bochum Stadtpark) which is next to the city’s park.

However, before I share my Bochum experiences with you it would be remiss of me not to mention the UEFA European Football Championship and in particular my respect for the thoroughness with which our German friends ensure their national flags are properly cleaned. I visited Bavaria at the weekend to see my son Pascal and as I popped down to the bakers to get the morning rolls I was met by the vision which I captured in the photograph below.

Needless to say in the bakers I was quick to congratulate my Pretzel Fräulein ‘Flitsy Ann’ regarding the thoroughness of the Bad Feilnbach football supporters. Not only had they washed this huge flag but they had also found a way to hang it up to dry which avoided it getting any creases in it. German ingenuity at its best! I did point out however that it was perhaps a titsy bit expensive to hire a crane and install it in the middle of the village simply in order to save having to iron the flag she didn’t seem to get my point.

So moving back up north to beautiful Bochum (where they just hang the flags out of the car windows to dry – a reflection of the more down to earth industrial types). The photos below are taken from inside, or around, the Stadtpark. If you need to visit Bochum this is a great place to enjoy some greenery (especially if you are wearing a pedometer), and it is full of wildlife (especially rabbits). There is even has a zoo next door where, on sunny days, you can sit in the beer garden and sip your beer while watching the pink flamingoes do their stuff. The Stadtpark has some interesting metal sculptures and I particularly like the old houses around the edge which were built by the city’s wealthy merchants around the beginning of the last century. The Lutherkirche (Lutheran Church) and the Bismarckturm (Bismark’s tower) date from the same time (ca. 1910).

One word of warning. If you don’t like rabbits the Stadtpark is not for you – there are hundreds!

If you are interested in reading my other health focused articles try the following

Torture In The Shower – Face and Body Soap Allergies – Main Suspect: Pears Transparent Soap

Poison in your Washing Machine: Allergic Contact Dermatitis from Laundry Detergents, Softeners, Conditioners and Whiteners

Is Alzheimer’s caused by the Gum Disease Bacterium P. Gingivalis – A Dementia Prevention/Treatment Breakthrough?

Toxic Chemicals in Sex Toys – 18 Vibrators, Cock Rings, Love Balls Tested – Only 3 Get All Clear

My T-shirt Made Me Sick – Textile Allergies – Sinusitis From Your Underwear

While you read why not listen to my album ‘Electro Baroque‘ (all tracks are also available on iTunes using the link here)? Classical music using modern instruments:

or if you prefer to listen to my electro/techno album ‘Studio Valiumm‘ here are the videos (also on iTunes using the link here):

More info about my music is at the dedicated website www.TRANSFORMATES.com

This week I am going to continue with the indulgence I started in my previous blog article. This report will focus purely on the wedding of my sister, Helen, and therefore if you are not interested in weddings or participating in the global Duggleby past-time of ‘spot the facial characteristics to see if they look like us’ you might find this article a bit over the top.

Helen is not one to rush things unnecessarily and her engagement to Ignacio has lasted about 20 years. This meant they had plenty of time to prepare things properly, especially the seven home-made bridesmaids and page-boys. If you are in any doubt about these children’s Duggleby Viking heritage just take a look at the preponderance of blond hair and blue eyes (not surprising when you look at my sister but perhaps something of a rarity in southern Spain).

Needless to say I am sure you don’t want to waste time reading my commentary so I will let the photos do the talking. For context I have added some brief comments underneath each one. These pictures focus mainly on the official ceremony (the international paparazzi were not allowed access to the church). I have tried to capture some of the intimate events which would have escaped the formal photographers. My son, Alex, also flew in from Vienna and took some more (professional) pictures, particularly of the evenings festivities. You can see these by using this link. And if you are worried about my trusty dog RISKKO, don’t! His Spanish holiday blog can be found here.

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STOP PRESS!! Have you tried the YouTube Playlist featuring all of my compositions for the TRANSFORMATES? Here it is:

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This week I am going to dedicate the blog to the Spanish members of the Duggleby clan. So if your interests lie elsewhere thanks for taking the trouble to visit and please take a look at the blog again – I intend to cover a varied selection of topics.

For my own branch of the family tree this Viking conquest of the Mediterranean has being managed under the leadership of my sister Helen. She keeps pretty busy teaching aerobics and looking after the next generation of Spanish Dugglebys (no mean feat since there are seven of them). However it has been possible to squeeze into this hectic schedule a couple of important family events and this blog features one of them. Her two latest children were Christened last weekend in a pretty church in the South of Spain on a lovely warm day. The following pictures capture this event for the proud parents, god parents and this ever-growing Viking clan (and if you are in doubt about their northern heritage take a look at the blond hair and blue eyes – something of a novelty in Southern Spain).

If anyone is wondering what my steadfast guard dog RISKKO was doing during all of this excitement please take a look at his dog blog. He now has a separate page featuring his Spanish holiday (and a little accident with a cactus!).

Christening – arrival of one of the stars

“I am not sure that I really like this”

Heaven’s gates are prepared for another couple of angels

The senior helpers

Another beautiful day for the Spanish Dugglebys draws to an end