The Burg - Day 8

25 August 2008
We visit a Burg
I had a look at a booklet that listed ancient monuments. Among the Schlosses and burgs there was one listed very close by. It looked like it would be a nice woodland walk so off we went. We zoomed up the Weinberg in our cars through the forest roads.

From Backnang 2008

Soon we got to a crossroads and a roughly surfaced car park. We hopped out and found our bearings. A wooden shelter with a picnic table sat across from the car park. We headed down along a restricted road that seemed to indicate the way to the burg. There was plenty of nature to see on this woodland road including slugs, caterpillars and mushrooms. The cool, dark forest road started to descend and the dense trees gave way to a sunny orchard and further down we came to a farmhouse. By the side of the road was an hollowed out tree trunk fashioned into a rustic horse trough. A couple of mountain bikers came down the road and turned the hairpin going deeper down into more forest.
In a clearing was a small information board explaining the history of the Warthof burg starting from 1117. Wart means "watch" so it was some sort of watch tower and it had a moat still evident by looking at the earthworks. It had fallen into disuse by 1438 and all that was visible was a bit of wall. A small but thick stone section was all that was left. Inside it was built a much more recent barn and since it was on private land that was the closest we got to it.
Having done the burg we should have turned back but instead we continued on the road that descended at quite a pitch and zig-zagged down into more dark damp forest.

From Germany 2008

A tiny stream splashed down the valley and I could see a bridge far below in the distance. We followed the stream down until we got to a bridge. We had descended an alarming amount and now the only way was up. After a little consideration at this crossroads it seemed that the most likely direction was up the other side of the valley.

From Germany 2008

It was indeed a hard and stony climb not suited to a buggy. We emerged back onto the public road not far from the car park. Sitting at the wooden hut we saw an eagle do a few circuits above the tree tops making the screeching call that you only normally hear in adventure films.
We went back to Allmersbach briefly and then went to Kleinasbach where Mick was due to arrive. We got to the hotel but no sign of Mick or car yet. We strolled down to a restaurant. It seemed to be the day for the old folks as the restaurant was full of them having a big party. Plenty of singing going on too.
So there was no room for us inside but there were shaded tables outdoors. We watched the street from this vantage point looking out for a Golf containing Mick. A group of brightly Lycra clad cyclists went by. Swallows were working hard going in and out of their nest boxes bringing lunch for their chicks. Huge trucks went by loaded with the local mineral water. Mick soon joined us. I tried the Kutteln which turned out to be a somewhat sour tripe dish. The rest of the Chalkhill clan chose dishes with considerably less offal content. At regular intervals we heard singing pensioners having a fine time.
Afternoon saw the convoy head up to the graveyard and it was quite a festive air. We gathered around the grave and cast our minds back to long gone summers when we visited the same spot when it was just grandfather in the grave.

From Germany 2008

The children had no such memories and set to work cleaning the gravestones with sponge, squeegee and watering can. Orange bugs swarmed over the stones.

From Backnang 2008

Flowers were purchased too and arranged around the dahlias and chrysanthemums that were already there..

From Germany 2008

From Backnang 2008

In the evening we went to a grape themed pub in Großaspach. Afterwards the locals asked us if Theo and Rosie were adopted, not being obviously related to anyone in the party. We walked back to the cars while scooter gangs were buzzing around the tight bends in the main road.