Near the Lorelei

Weisel: with slate walls and a sun-shine tree. (View up Altpforter Stree)t

History marks people, even centuries later.

Our last stop in Europe was in Weisel, a small village 5 km from the Lorelei on the Rhine River. There is a slate pit in the gorge leading to the Rhine and many of the houses in Weisel have slate walls as well as roofs.  It is a neat and tidy place. The few shops hidden away in houses just have a small sign indicating that there is a bank, a hairdressing salon or a shop within. Last time I was here the bank was housed in a cow stall; now it has a more salubrious setting on the town square. All the houses are inhabited, but you would never know if you just walked through.

We were at the end of a history tour of Germany, a history of invasions and battles, often battles fought between invading armies on German soil. The old Germans fought the Romans here and the Swedes swept through as they fought Napolean, finally sending the Napoleonic army packing. My friend in Weisel tells me history that has marked the local community and that it is no wonder people barricade themselves in their homes and are wary of strangers.

If you are in the area Weisel is worth a visit - especially as there is a good restaurant hidden away here.  It is called Hannots and is housed in a quaint old building in Altpforter Street (picture) one of the main streets in the village. Hannots  is as welcoming as anyone could wish. The cook knows his trade and attracts people from surrounding areas. It makes a nice change from tourist restaurants on the Rhine. If you do visit, make sure you go upstairs to view the paintings of the Weisel and the Kauber Platte which hang on the upper floor.