A new beginning

After an unpleasant year it is finally time to restart the walks and restart life with a whole chapter, or perhaps a second volume. I spent a superb weekend in Germany with the wonderful Christine Deufel.

It was my first visit to Baden, a long strip in the south-west corner of the country facing France to the west and Switzerland to the south. There was no major walking this time, but the trip marked a new start in every way.


Our first visit was to the great city of Freiburg, home of the majestic Catholic cathedral with its fabulous twin spires.

Freiburg is also known as Germany's greenest cities, with bicycles in use everywhere and enviromental initiatives that put London to shame.




Our next foray was to the ruined castle of Hochburg. An impressive hilltop location with fine views of the Black Forest, the medieval castle has many fascinating features.