In a snowy Hofgarten

It's just over a year ago that I shared my first visit to Munich's Hofgarten here on the blog, despite our visit having taken place some six months earlier. It's a lovely central space and one that's well used by visitors and locals alike. So when the coach dropped me off just around the corner from the Hofgarten on my recent visit to Munich, I knew that my first stop would be to see how it looked in winter, and how it dealt with the snow.

As I arrived at the arched entrance I was half expecting to see the cheery guy who'd been there before, but no such luck. There were though fabulous blue skies, blue enough to rival any summer's day. The temperatures were something else entirely, and that's in the negative, I had my big woolly scarf though to keep me warm.

The view down the avenue of trees was breathtaking. It was good without the snow, but somehow better with it. And yes, this is still me writing this, the snow-detesting me. But look, and I'm sure you'll see what I mean.  

I looked over to my left and the central pavilion glistened in the snow and sunlight. I remembered how its inside was clad partly in shells and hoped to get better pictures than on my first visit.  

But first, I'd spotted some swaying on the branch of a tree. And yes, that's a snow topped bird table.  

It's great isn't it, and hopefully its visitors and/or inhabitants welcomed the greenery as well as the food supply.  Onto the central pavilion. I think with the clear blue skies, and the snow it was even more stunning than on my first visit.

On my tentative walk along the path I stopped to capture snow resting on the top of the hedge, and like the picture of the frost on my fence, I was amazed at how much detail my iPhone picked up.

Sadly the pavilion was chained off so I wasn't able to improve on my existing pictures. I learnt that leaning in and around to get a picture didn't work and after a couple of attempts I gave up and decided to head towards the strange dome shape in the distance. As I approached I remembered that under the cover was probably a fountain, and sure enough when I got closer it was obvious that the cover was made from wood. And covered with snow. Looking back at my photos confirmed they were fountains, and that gave me an idea for a future post comparing a summer and winter shots. I wonder how many of the same shots I've got...

What I liked about the garden in the winter was the starkness of it. The snow definitely gave a blank canvas and the lack of greenery on the hedges and trees gave a clear idea of the garden's structure. And the importance of that too.

By now I'd covered half of the garden and it was getting chilly, so with the shops calling my name I headed back towards that central avenue and back towards the centre of Munich, but not without first stopping to admire the ironwork.

You really didn't expect anything else did you?

* While this post isn't in collaboration with Viking or Stihl, it was only possible because of the UK press trip arranged by them. 

Anticipating Spring in a snowy Munich

On Friday I spent an hour in Munich, which all sounds rather decadent doesn't it? And in some ways it was, I had an hour to myself to do with what I wanted and so after checking out a snowy Hofgarten - more on that another day - I headed towards the shops. 

I was in Munich, and Kufstein in Austria the day before, as part of the Viking and Stihl UK press trip, their first, so that was a real honour and a pleasure too. We were treated to great hospitality at the Viking factory in Kufstein, which I'll share more of later, but first back to that hour in Munich.

My plan was to buy some chocolates to bring home, because well, chocolates it's the rules right. But somehow I found myself wandering around Depot in one of the smaller arcades. It was their window displays which drew me in, full of Spring colours and flowers and well, I couldn't help myself.

Magnolias, ranunculus, apple blossom and tulips. All realistic, apart from one thing - their scent. But a real treat to see on a snowy day, maybe a little early, but maybe when the temperature is -10 and lower, you need that hope earlier than we would in the UK. And those temperatures, strangely the cold wasn't unbearable. It's true I had two scarves on, the extra one a big wooly one over my coat, but the air was dry and I think that helped. I wouldn't have given up either scarf though...

MAGNOLIAS

RANUNCULUS

APPLE BLOSSOM

TULIPS, I THINK... FRILLY ONES.

These fleecy throws were a nod to the weather outside. The colour was bright and the blanket stitch detail made me smile. It was lucky that my hand luggage was already filling up, otherwise this shop would have sorely tempted my resolve.

FOR THOSE COLDER SPRING DAYS

NAMASTE

It's amazing isn't it, how Spring-like this display is. But I think we're at least a month away from the real thing 

TULIPS AND BUD VASES

But I did notice there were plenty of butterflies about. In all kinds of colours. Ceramic butterflies, butterfly garlands and butterfly motifs. I've not noticed that here, but then again I've not had a mooch around the shops here either. Are butterflies a trend for this Spring? Have you seen the decorative sort?

BUTTERFLIES

BLOSSOM AND BUDS

These budgie-like birds - I think it's the yellow, green and blue that prompted that memory - made me smile. These were a strong contender for coming home with me, maybe one or three, but I resisted. Mainly because there was a chocolate box shaped space in my bag, and that's all.

THESE REMINDED ME OF BUDGERIGARS, THE COLOURS I THINK

And these butterfly motif tea lighters were gorgeous too, maybe I'll look out for something similar here. Or plan another flying trip, this time for shopping!

BUTTERFLIES FOR YOUR TEA LIGHTS

HOME SWEET HOME

Yes, it's definitely the kind of place where you can make your house a home, and their bags, have I think got it spot on.

THEY'RE NOT WRONG THERE!

Oh, and if you're wondering, of course I bought some chocolates. They were well received but apparently I should have left a larger space in my luggage for a bigger box. Something else to remember on my next trip then!

* While this post isn't in collaboration with Viking or Stihl, it was only possible because of the UK press trip arranged by them. 

Looking around the Bogenhausen district in Munich

Apart from sightseeing and people-watching, one of my favourite past times is to wander around the non-tourist trail parts of a city. And when we were in Munich last year, it was no different. We spent one morning at BMW World, which is way more interesting than it sounds (and I'll share more from there in a future post) and wanted to spend the afternoon outside, so we took the train from the Olympiapark towards Bogenhausen which our guidebook told us was "a charming place full of lovely mansions of the wealthy."

Well if you're going to look around part of the city that's off the beaten track, it might as well be one of the fancier parts. As we emerged from the station, it was already looking promising...

NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A CHERRY!

As much as I would have liked to stop, I was also keen to see more of Bogenhausen. As i looked up, I knew it was the right decision, just look:

How could you not want to explore an area with statues like this on the roof. I love how they look to be surveying the area, and watching what's going on below them.

We peeked through iron railings at the large houses behind them, marvelling at the arches, the lamps and the ironwork at the windows and the balconies.

There were gates and wide leafy avenues.

There were smaller details too, the iron rose among the lusciously coloured rosebush, and mosaic pillars.

And everywhere, there were bikes.

There really was something for everyone.

As we wandered some more, aimlessly it must be said and soon found ourselves in this square. Using it to get our bearings we turned right and headed back towards the river and our hotel.

So quite a wander, with lots to see. Do you head off to other parts of cities when you visit them, or is it just me?