seasonal

seasonal

From a pumpkin festival in Southern Germany some years ago.

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!

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!