Sunday Walk

After it was snowing a week earlier on Sunday we had to make good use of the sunshine and milder temperatures this Sunday. It was great weather for a walk in the woods - this time from Ziegelhausen along the mountains in the Neckar valley back to Heidelberg.
At one point one has great view of the city

We ended at the Philosophers way which is famous for its view of the city

There was also a brand new playground

Cold Sunday

The beginning of Spring is only a few days awaybut if feels more like the middle of winter. Good thing we hae enough warm hats

The snow was not quite enough for a snow man

Ice Skating

It has turned cold again with freezing temperatures and an icy wind. Luckily the outdoor ice skating rink in Heddesheim which is a 15 minute drive away was open for the last weekend of this winder.
The ice was perfect and it was not very crowded.

When they re-did the ice it was a god time to warm up and Mia had a curry wurst

Our neighbor and her  daughter joined us as well

Bike tour to Schwetzingen

Since there was some nice and sunny weather in the forecast - at least until 2 pm - we decided to spend some time outside after more than a week of cold weather with freezing temperatures. Luckily our neighbor had the same idea and met us for a bike tour. Once we were on the road we made up our mind to go to Schwetzingen which has a nice castle and a great playground - the first one of the Alla Hopp ones in the region

Close to the castle we discovered a great ice cream place

At the playground the adults had a beer and all shared some french fries

 Adults can excerise as well

Children's University

The Heidelberg university offers a weekend with lectures and workshops for 9-12 year old children and since the main campus is only a 10 minute bike ride away we signed Mia up for a few lectures. One was on meteorites, one on Romans in the region and one on China.

At the end Mia used the sculptures outside for some climbing - the first warm and sunny afternoon after a week of freezing temperatures

Birthday Sunday

Nice to have a birthday on a Sunday: One can sleep in and has time for a nice breakfast and to unwrap the presents

Then we did a walk to the river Neckar where more than four dozen people went for a swim at -2 C outside and about 4 C water temperature

The swimmers could warm up in a portable sauna

Then we also stopped at the family game afternoon at the cultural center around the corner. Mia likes the dog of the man who runs the wood workshop and walked her a bit around she could warm up.

Then we had some German cuisine at a place down the street
 

Carnival Parade Heidelberg

The carnival parade in Heidelberg is on Tuesday and started just around the corner from our place. So we went to have a look and to meet with some friends and neighbors
It was a bit different from the ones in Cologne and had regular musical groups that it also part of non carnival events or a local American football team

But it was nice to watch everything in a group

There were also the witches that a are part of carnival  in the very south west of Germany

 They are a bit mischievous and paint noses for example

One group handed out local wine - a nice surprise

Some groups would have also fit in in Cologne

Some not

Later we met with friend at home for pizza and a movie and Mia got some help with sorting out her candy