Well, by now it’s almost over again. But I sent out my father to take some photographs for you to enjoy the feast of colors for a little bit longer. Unfortunately, he doesn’t venture very far from home (I hope I don’t get the same disease or whatever it is when I’ll be old myself), so all the photos are from the Upper Palatinate and the Bavarian Forest regions in Bavaria.
Because this is Bavaria, there must of course be castles, ruins and Medieval fortifications.
The rivers and lakes are perfect for a walk or for relaxing with a book and a cigar at this time of the year. There is still sun (on some days), but the mosquitoes have already disappeared.
And you can find mushrooms in all colors and sizes.
I knew that my home county of Amberg-Sulzbach had a partnership with Argyll & Bute in Scotland and that there was a student exchange, but I didn’t know that there is also a cattle exchange.
And when the weather and the mood turn more gloomy, there are always cemeteries, like the Jewish cemetery in Sulzbach-Rosenberg.
By the way, one of my father’s books about the Upper Palatinate region has also been published in English.
The Happy Hermit 
Very nice pics!
That cemetery looks pretty run down. Do you know how old it was?
i tried to read the dates but the pic wasn’t sharp enough.
It was established in 1668 and it was in continuous use until 1936 (the latest grave). The tombstones are in rows with the oldest in the back and the newest in the front, so it’s easy to establish a timeline. The ones from the last 150 years or so can still be read quite well: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/86/Sulzb-Rosenb-DSC_0228.jpg (They are also usually in German instead of Hebrew).
What I found striking was how the families of the deceased (men) stressed the fact that their late husband/father had been a soldier in the German military, particularly those who had fought in the wars in 1866 and 1870/71 and then in World War I, almost like trying to prove the level of assimilation.
How interesting! Beautiful cemetery – reminiscent of the one in Prague, if you’ve seen that?
The level of assimilation was strongly felt and a huge part of the experience of being a German Jew for some families in the early 20th Century.
My grandfather – later a refugee from Nazi Germany – fought in the German Army in WW1 himself. His children – my mother and late uncle – felt very much assimilated Germans (until the effects of the Nazi era no longer allowed that perspective).
Yes, I have visited the Jewish cemetery in Prague. The one in Sulzbach-Rosenberg is much smaller of course, but on the other hand, one is almost always the only visitor there. (It’s in the forest far outside of town.)
Your photo captured the dense atmosphere beautifully.
There is something very profound about such places, I think – especially when you have it to yourself …. J x
I’ll strengthen what Jacqueline wrote – among Jews, the German Jews are always held up as an example of those who were most assimilated into their host countries. For a nice short novel which illustrates that, I like Reunion, by Fred Uhlman.
I have now read Fred Uhlman’s “Reunion”, indeed a poignant and moving little book.
Which just proves that one doesn’t need to travel far afield. Fab photos!
I just searched your dad on Amazon. Stopped counting at 10 books. I think I have found Christmas / New Year / [Insert any holiday HERE] gifts for several people.
PS – Havent followed the blog for a few months. I take it you’re in Germany now? Where to next?
Yes, I am in Germany for the time being, also because I have just taken up studies at university.
I am just trying to find a place in the Balkans for the winter.
With such beauty right on your doorstep, what need to go further afield to get some beautiful autumn photos. Thanks for sharing these.
He hasn’t lost his eye for a photo!
Hermosos lugares y un excelente fotógrafo tu padre, tengo la impresión que los alemanes gustan de la fotografía, Aquí en Tarija (Bolivia) tenemos una familia de alemanes amantes de la fotografía los Methfessel. Ah! la arquitecta Mechthil Maria Kaiser también alemana afecta a la cámara, aunque creo que se debe a la profesión.
Qué pequeno es el mundo. Tengo una de las senoritas Methfessel con amiga en Facebook, aún no la conozco personalmente. Realmente tengo que pasar más tiempo en Tarija la proxima vez cuando sea en Bolivia!
Realmente, esperemos que así sea Andreas.
Stunning photos; such beauty! I am also amazed at the cemetery placement on such a steep slope. Thanks for sharing these pics.
There is actually a much steeper part of the cemetery. Your comment made me think of that aspect and read more, and it seems like the area used to be more flat, but then part of the ground caved in because of mining underneath it.
“….. but the mosquitoes have already disappeared.” (Thanks to your Cigar, I guess)
That helps indeed. :-)
Beautiful time indeed. I spent the last few weeks in Germany and was stunned by the beauty of this time all over again. Your photos take me back to last month.
I think you picked the best time to visit Germany!
Just darn beautiful!
But now, a month later, it’s very depressive, at least on rainy days. No more colorful leaves, everything grey, and no snow yet.
And that’s why I will move to Montenegro in December. :-)