A pink afternoon in the old town Stade outside Hamburg, Germany

The old town Stade was not bombed under the WWII and remains as it have been through the centurys.

Here in a pink version of a summer afternoon. This was the day before we had some serious rain, hail and thunder.

Below another afternoon version from the old harbor in Stade.

Cobbled street in old town, Stade

More from the net:
Stade is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, and part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region (Metropolregion Hamburg).

The city has a population of around 45,152. Administratively, it is the seat of the Stade district which covers approximately 1,266 sq kms.

Water plays the most important part in Stade, which becomes evident at the Old Hansa Harbour with its pretty 17th-century houses, where there is the Fish Market with its reconstructed wooden crane and tread mill, framed by the walls of the quay and some splendid half-timbered houses. In the streets of the old town there are monuments of almost all historical architectural styles, ranging from Gothic to post-modern.

The first human settlers came to the Stade area in 30,000 BC. The city was founded in 994 and, in 1209, Stade received the "Stadtrecht" (town privileges).

In medieval times (from the 1200s to the late 1600s), Stade was a prominent member of the Hanseatic League, but was later eclipsed by Hamburg. Stade was also occupied by Sweden from 1645 to 1712, and some of the buildings built by the Swedes are still in use today. In 1355 and in 1712, Stade suffered a plague epidemic which killed at least 30-40% of the city's population. During World War II, Stade remained completely untouched by allied bombings.

Relaxed city life in the old town Stade outside Hamburg, Germany

The old town Stade was not bombed under the WWII and remains as it have been through the centurys. Here by a cafe along the canal in the old town.

Another biker in the cobbled streets of oldStade

Old town by the canal in Stade - 2 photos stitched

More from the net: 
Stade is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, and part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region (Metropolregion Hamburg). The city has a population of around 45,152. Administratively, it is the seat of the Stade district which covers approximately 1,266 sq kms. 

Water plays the most important part in Stade, which becomes evident at the Old Hansa Harbour with its pretty 17th-century houses, where there is the Fish Market with its reconstructed wooden crane and tread mill, framed by the walls of the quay and some splendid half-timbered houses. In the streets of the old town there are monuments of almost all historical architectural styles, ranging from Gothic to post-modern. 

 The first human settlers came to the Stade area in 30,000 BC. The city was founded in 994 and, in 1209, Stade received the "Stadtrecht" (town privileges). In medieval times (from the 1200s to the late 1600s), Stade was a prominent member of the Hanseatic League, but was later eclipsed by Hamburg. Stade was also occupied by Sweden from 1645 to 1712, and some of the buildings built by the Swedes are still in use today. In 1355 and in 1712, Stade suffered a plague epidemic which killed at least 30-40% of the city's population. 

During World War II, Stade remained completely untouched by allied bombings.

The old town Stade in Germany

Just some 50km west of Hamburg you will find the  Town Stade - the old town is original from the 17th century as it was never bombed during WW II.

It is a pleasure walking the cobbled streets a fine summer evening.

With the washed out sky I like to use the coffee filter for some effect.

More from the net:
Stade is a city in Lower Saxony, Germany, and part of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region (Metropolregion Hamburg).

The city has a population of around 45,152. Administratively, it is the seat of the Stade district which covers approximately 1,266 sq kms.

Water plays the most important part in Stade, which becomes evident at the Old Hansa Harbour with its pretty 17th-century houses, where there is the Fish Market with its reconstructed wooden crane and tread mill, framed by the walls of the quay and some splendid half-timbered houses. In the streets of the old town there are monuments of almost all historical architectural styles, ranging from Gothic to post-modern.

The first human settlers came to the Stade area in 30,000 BC. The city was founded in 994 and, in 1209, Stade received the "Stadtrecht" (town privileges).

In medieval times (from the 1200s to the late 1600s), Stade was a prominent member of the Hanseatic League, but was later eclipsed by Hamburg. Stade was also occupied by Sweden from 1645 to 1712, and some of the buildings built by the Swedes are still in use today. In 1355 and in 1712, Stade suffered a plague epidemic which killed at least 30-40% of the city's population. During World War II, Stade remained completely untouched by allied bombings.

Water reflection in the canal in Stade

Biking in rain, hail and thunder. Stade, Germany

 

 In July I spent some nights in the small town Stade, just west of Hamburg.

One of the days I went for some biking along the river Elben - crossing it two times before returning to my hotel.

On the last river crossing it was clear that the chance for rain was overwhelming and arriving at "my side" of the river with still 15km back to my hotel I had some serious rain, hail and thunder - or in general a very wet return...

The photo above from the last river crossing as the clouds start to look threatening.

Under as I was seeking shelter at a gas station in the worst showers:

Sunset onboard MS Color Fantasy in Kattegat, Denmark

Returning home from the last weeks  with some 6.000km driving through Europe - the last leg is done with the great car ferry MS Color Fantasy from Kiel in Germany to Oslo (20hrs sailing).
In this photo pointing to the west we can see the low coast profile of Jylland in Denmark.

Be welcome also to a look at my album from those super ferries MS Color Fantasy and MS Color Magic:
www.flickr.com/photos/jrjohanson/sets/72157602110071643/

Find under another sunset variation from the ferry:

Storebelt bridge, Korsor, Denmark

Very difficult to have this 18km bridge in one photo. Even this stitch of 3 offer some "strange" lines here and there...

The photo is made from the aft deck of the big car ferry MS Color Fantasy after passing under the great bridge some minutes before.

Some more of the bridge from the net:
The 18 km long fixed link across Storebælt comprises two bridges and a tunnel.
Construction work on Storebælt took place from 1988-1998. The motorway across Storebælt opened in 1998 and the railway opened in 1997.
The construction costs for the entire Storebælt project totalled DKK 21.4 billion in 1988 prices.

Find under here another photo from the car ferry just after passing the great bridge.

Sailing out from Kiel, Germany - en route to Oslo, Norway

I am onboard the huge car ferry MS Color Fantasy on my last leg coming in my car from South of France en route to Oslo.  Taking this great car ferry saves me from driving the last app. 800 km...

Two ferries leaving at 2pm - one from Kiel, the other from Oslo. This photo is taken as we on such a fine day of September is going out to the more open sea from Kiel.

For more from these super ferries pls. visit my flickr album:
MS Color Fantasy and MS Color Magic

Find below a sharp sailer in full swing in the fine waters of the Kiel seascape

Photograping the sea -outside the coast of Denmark

On tour my last day was with the big car ferry MS Color Fantasy from Kiel, Germany to Oslo, Norway

...also other photg was in action..

 

 

ON TOUR - a day on the road ending in Cochem, Mosel Valley, Germany

 

I started monday on my long tour home in my car - from South of France to Norway is some distance to drive.

 

Today I left France and is tonight in the small and charming village by the banks of the Mosel river: Cochem in Germany. Still many tourists around in this popular village.

 

The main photo is a stitch of 2 - while the closer look is of the significant castle - Shloss Reisburg overlooking the little town

 

 

From the net:

Cochem is a traditional German town with half-timbered houses and an exceptionally scenic location on the Mosel river in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Population about 5,000 and a population of 8700 in a 7 km radius.

Cochem Castle, (Schloss Reichsburg), on its high elevation, overlooks the area. It dominates the town and is an impressive feature.