Holsatian Switzerland

Jurgen's family church where he was baptised, confirmed and married.

The area surround Jurgen’s home consists of rolling hills (the highest elevation is the Bungsberg at 168 metres or 551 feet) and many lakes.  This eastern part of Holstein is called the Holsteinische Schweiz (“Holsatian Switzerland”) and is the former Duchy of Lauenburg (Herzogtum Lauenburg).  It really is quite beautiful.  The lakes and estates, the pastoral  feel with fields of rasp, grain and corn, and the ocean side all make for a holiday destination for many Germans.

"I'll be back" (in the tone of Arnold Schwartzenagger

It was quite the gift to be able to see this part of Germany through the eyes of a resident.  Jurgen was able to show me “gems” and areas that I would never have been able to find on my own without a tour guide.  He was born and raised in this region and has a wealth of history when showing me the area.  It is very interesting to also see how details of the second world war still linger for the Germans and are such a significant part of their history.  Jurgen was able to tell me things that I had no idea about.  And certainly hearing about the history from the German perspective is valuable.

The Hasselburg Estate gatehouse. http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gut_Hasselburg

Jurgen took me to Neustadt first and foremost and then we went to a number of estates, which are called Schloss in German, which means chateau.  These estates area interesting because they generally have the manor and then the various farm buildings.  Also associated with the estate would be the houses of the farm workers, all owned by the estate owner.  When we were in Jurgen’s church situated in Altenkrempe, there were these plaques commemorating those individuals from the local communities who died in the war.  Jurgen showed me the names of communities, which are really these estates, which had a significant number of individuals who died.  He noted how these would have been the sons of the farmworkers of the estate.  Often there would be up to 4 or 5 sons from one family who had died.

The Hasselburg manor.

The manor houses were always quite lovely and the surrounding buildings persisting in their presence and history.  Always a gatehouse, farm buildings, walled and contained, and a kitchen garden.  This one estate uses its old barn for musicals and other festival type entertainment.

The massive barn at Hasselburg with its thatched roof.

We then went to another estate, Sierhagen I believe, where afterwards we visited a converted palm tree greenhouse which was now a cafe.  And the cake was excellent.  Near Jurgen’s home is a tower, Goemnitz, that afforded me views of the countryside.

Jurgen and Candy at the base of the tower on the hill of Goemnitz

View of the countryside from the top of the tower

Well after such a full day of site seeing, we ended the day at the seaside wondering along the promenade and enjoying the full moon.

Doing a handstand amongst the beach baskets which are everywhere - you rent them - at the Gromitz seaside.

I used to be a werewolf, but I am alright nnnoooowwww!