Tuesday, June 23, 2009

wicked wicker

A very special invention from Germany is the Strandkorb, a roofed wicker beach chair, closely connected with the cultural history of the North and the Baltic Sea, where you can rent them on all public beaches. They have little tables for your beach essentials! like books and drinks. More important: they have a roof, so you are protected against sunburn, rain and winds... and sometimes, it is a ruby red roof, just for Ruby Tuesday!

It seems the first one dates back to 1882 when a lady had a special request. She asked a particular basket maker for the production of a "seating accommodation for the beach as well as to protect her against too much sun and wind", because she suffered from rheumatism but didn`t want to miss the stay at the beach. After all, the fresh sea air with the stimulating climate is widely considered to be health supporting (...) Up to now beach chairs are distinguished between the rather angular and sharp-edged form of the North Sea and the roundish and swung form of the Baltic Sea.



The "roofed wicker beach chair" isn't only found at the beach nowdayas! it is also a decorative item I would love to have in our garden (prices start at around 350 euros / 485 USD, but then there would be a not-very-little transportation detail...) The one pictured below was at a restaurant's entrance. Doesn't it look inviting?



Tonight is the Midsummer Celebration and tomorrow is a holiday in Catalonia, not in whole Spain, though. The traditional midsummer party in Spain is the celebration in honour of San Juan (St. John the Baptist) and takes place in June the 23rd night with parties, bonfires, fireworks ( I love them) and firecrackers (I do not enjoy them!). On the Mediterranean coast, especially in Catalonia and Valencia, special pastry Coca de Sant Joan and a glass of cava, the Catalonian sparkler, are a must for the celebration! It will be a long night tonight!

23 comments:

  1. I must say your beach chairs look better from the front than the back.

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  2. Sorry, I was rudely interrupted by life in the middle of my comment -- those chairs also look very cuddly and comfy and are certainly much nicer than what our beaches offer!

    Enjoy your celebration. Avoid the fire crackers.

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  3. Cozy things !

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  4. Those are pretty cool. I'm not much on wicker however.

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  5. I love these Strandkörbe and really wonder why it only exists in Germany. They look so nice on the beach. I never sat in one, but I suppose it must be very nice.
    I finally arrived without problems at the Garda lake unfortunately the weather is not so stable, sunshine, and then cold and a lot of wind. But anyway I am busy with visits and already fat up! Dario is here with Marieken and she is freezing during the nights in their tent ! Tomorrow I will go with them and my best Italian friend to Venice. That changes a little the routine ! Last time I have been there must have been 25 years ago at least !

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  6. Those roofed chairs are such a great idea for the outdoors! Great photos!

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  7. What beautiful pics. They make me feel like I'm on vacation!
    And yes, they do look inviting and cozy.

    I celebrated the 23rd once on Fuerteventura. So much fun!

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  8. Great photos and excellent background story. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful Ruby Tuesday.

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  9. At first from the description and the upper photos I thought they must be horribly uncomfortable - but then when you showed the one at the restaurant, they actually look quite nice! I have NEVER seen anything like them before. They are NOT on American beaches - that is certain! And if they were... I can not begin to imagine what it would cost to rent one! An umbrella costs enough!

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  10. What a great concept....MUCH better than buying a beach umbrella like they have here in the states.

    This is my first time I participated in Ruby Tuesday. Mary kept hinting that I join in...today I got a chance to do some ruby red. Come on over if you can find some time. Happy Tuesday.

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  11. The last wicker is very cute and your celebrations sound like so much fun to participate in!

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  12. Great chairs...it would be nice sitting in the fresh sea air all cosy in a big comfy chair.

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  13. Very nice. Now that would be the way to stay at the beach.

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  14. those chairs look very comfy! I bet folks camp out in those all day! I sure would. I need to take my child to the beach...but alas there is no Gulf of Colorado. :(

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  15. The image outside the restaurant is so inviting!
    I'd love one of these in my yard but the price tag says I won't get one. :)

    Have fun at the celebration!

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  16. hi mar..thank you so much for your kind visit to my ruby tuesday!
    yours is something too..this is a real good history lesson and i agree with quilly that those chairs sure look cuddley and comfy!
    happy ruby tuesday to you!

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  17. What nifty beach chairs ... perfect for Ruby Tuesday!!!
    Hugs and blessings,

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  18. Hidden from the sun
    within the wicker beach chair—
    sand lover’s delight!

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  19. What nice summer and beach furniture and how interesting to read the history - thanks for sharing!

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  20. I learned something today! Thanks for sharing the information about the beach chairs...I haven't seen one IRL though. I love the first photo a lot...makes me think of a nice relaxing vacation..:)

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  21. What a great idea. You can be comfie while reading on the beach, yet still enjoy the ocean air and sunshione :)

    I learned something today. Thank you

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  22. I just love this kind of beach culture! Surprisingly here in the USA isn't much going on, go figure. But growing up landlocked in Switzerland, I'm happy to live by the sea!

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  23. That is a WONDERFUL thing for one's garden....I have a "glider" out on my deck and it is the most wonderful thing I ever hot.....Now, if this one you showed us only moved, too....lol!

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