These photos were taken at the Feldberg yesterday morning around 10:30. Mind you, if you do get as cold as these photos convey, bring suitable warm-ups with you (Glühwein in a thermos, heating pillows, etc.). The restaurants do not open before 11 a.m.

This is what you will see on the Feldberg:

Feldberg December 2010

Morning light at the Feldberg/Taunus

These photos are published with friendly permission by my friend, the photographer Boulkaye Klempin.

We have been having quite a bit of beautiful snow in the last couple of days.

Our apartment building is serviced by a snow removal company, the walk way gets salted, and everything I need is in walking distance. Winter shows only its pretty side to me.

Some early morning in Oberursel

Elderly lady braving a walk through last night's snow storm

7:45 the time kids walk to school (school begins at 7:55)

View from my computer desk

The scenery has completely changed again as heavy snow is falling right now, performing many twists in midair. The wind is chasing the snow sideways and even up again.

Nevertheless, I need to get to the supermarket as I promised my family Schweinebraten mit Klössen und Sauce (pork roast with potato dumplings and brown gravy), a good German winter food.

The snow we had for the past few days has mostly melted by now. But what little we had was perfect for our four-day Christmas market (which ends this evening).

Here are a few photos I took two days ago.

Marktplatz Oberursel Christmas 2010

Oberursel Christmas Market

Hugs at the Marktplatz Oberursel

Snow-covered bikes in front of a pub

This was one of the better Christmas markets as we had snow instead of rain!

In 2009, the city of Oberursel  set up a temporary ice skating rink for the first time. It must have been a success, as this is being repeated this year. It really compliments the city’s otherwise unused open area during the winter season. Oberursel on Ice is located right at the Epinayplatz.

It is good for the locals as they no longer have to take their children to Bad Homburg or Frankfurt to have some winter skating fun. The rink is adding a nice attraction to the city, but only for three weeks (20 Nov 2010 to 06 Dec 2010). Skate rental available.

Ice skating hours are:

15:00 – 19:00 Monday – Friday

11:00 – 19:00 Saturday

11:00 – 18:00 Sunday

More information at  Oberursel on Ice and  Photos from 2009.

Today is also the start of our four-day Christmas market. With the current low temperature of 2° C (36 F)  or – 1°C incl. the wind chill factor, the setting is perfect. One of my Facebook friends reported snow from the Feldberg mountain (Taunus) yesterday evening.

Another weekend in my hometown left us battling with even more snow coming down Sunday morning. 

We are also still hunting local guest houses for a taste of Doppelbock, which is only brewed and sold during the time of Lent. The locals are supposed to be fasting, but not in regards to liquid bread.

Please note the cyclists daring the roads. They were not the only ones riding bikes in the snow either.

Clearing the windshield

For a couple of minutes, we contemplated changing plans…

Road from Hambach to Dittelbrunn

Good ol' Hambach a.k.a. Hammich

Once I find a guest house offering Doppelbock beer, I will post again.