The HIVE Tour - Episode 35 - One more palace in the heart of Germany

It's an overcast day here in the heart of Germany and as long as it's not raining I find it a great chance to explore the surroundings. You see, this is not just my longest trip (time wise at least so far) but also my coldest summer ever so whenever the weather doesn't really suck I feel obliged to "carpe diem".

So, here I am in my lovely neighbourhood for another walk around:

I take a gravel shortcut to lead me out of this small village:

And since the village is small I'm out of it soon:

Who loves cloudy skies over fields? I do and I got you covered:

And that's not even the most scenic part of my walk (wait for it later). I'm just walking the cycle track next to the 3048:

You see that scarecrow in the middle?

I could massage my eyes looking at those fields here all day:

In one of my far from rare Forest Gump moments I wonder "how much snow has this barn seen over the years?":

I'm already walking for quite a while and I finally see the next village that hosts my destination. Ladies and gents, this is Rauischholzhausen in the background:

Last "fields and sky" shot before I enter the village:

And that's my first steps in it:

The local canal creates its mini jungle:

I guess for locals that's just casual but I find the village rather cute:

That's the gate of my destination actually:

So, where am I? Here:

All Germany to me (and most of you) once again but that's the local palace and from the very first steps it feels like one even though I haven't seen the main building yet:

Oh there it is in the background:

I hope you feel the serenity this place offers with its shades of green, the idle water and the absence of crowds but I am more than happy to help you with my images just in case:

I take this road which will lead me up to the palace:

That offers me more views to that little lake:

And the houses behind:

This place feels like it pauses time:

That previous Forest Gump question about the snow can easily apply to that tree as well:

Or these?

This one has definitely seen the arty touch of someone who I I don't know and chances are I never will:

Pretty odd right? I'd really like to know when this was done.

A small canal formed by stones:

And a nice statue next to it:

I always like to take the chance of picturing when trees are in charge of the framing:

The serenity of idle water:

Ι'd like to see this at night:

Finally I've reached the palace:

I pass a couple of royal bits on my left and right:

Before I aim at the palace itself:

This one is now dry and far from its prior grace:

Guesthouse? Hmmm I'm intrigued to be a guest here:

I struggle to picture this side of the palace as the sun tries to kill my attempts:

This is actually the rear side of the palace. Time to see how things are on the front one. To do so I have to pass the cafe/restaurant that is now hosted here:

And a few steps later I am finally more than happy to be able to share with you... this:

Lovely isn't it? The same goes for this slope next to it:

I make a few steps back to capture the whole thing:

Here's its fountain where I also shoot a few super slomo videos (wait till the end):

This is its West end:

Royal beauties:

I'm intrigued to see where these steps lead to:

Unsurprisingly I don't regret it:

The main building again this time from further back:

And by back I mean South cause that's where I'm heading to now intending to explore the rest of the forest:

As you can imagine it's a bit of a jungle here and the rays of the sun can't even make it to the ground due to the dense vegetation:

Chainsaw scars on this old piece of wood:

Following this little stream will (hopefully) lead me to the local lake:

A bit too young to die but R.I.P.:

And the path goes on and on:

Until I reach this bridge:

Which of course is here to bridge that stream:

It's getting obvious that this uphill is the last part I have to walk before I see that lake:

And that's true - ladies and gents this is Bütteich, right at the South end of this forest:

The overcast doesn't help with differentiating the countless shades of green that lie around here but I hope you get how it feels to be in this serene place. Walking towards the west end of this lake I find its drain:

And here's the outlet:

Which gives two scenarios: Either the lake is natural and they make a drain to prevent flood or it's an artificial one hence the drain. My German don't help me to cross check this with the locals but your input is more than welcome.

Last look at the lake from this privileged bench,

and time to start making my way back. I've already walked double digit kms and I have as much to make it to my place. Wish I had my mountain bike at this point but now I don't even have hiking shoes:

Wondering where is this looking at?

There you go:

This bench is actually tagged but no idea how come:

One more "watchtower":

Now you want the view too right? Be my guest:

I like this agricultural composition despite the struggle to find the best lighting compromise:

No idea what exactly they do with this installation here in the middle of nowhere:

Trees framing trees:

Fields on a cloudy day is a thing I can watch all day:

The watchtower challenge goes on with this one:

Brace for its view:

Feel free to vote for your favourite watchtower in the comments below🙂

I still have way to go to make it back:

And sometimes I face dilemmas like this:

Can't complain in a place like this though:

Even though I have to walk this unused trail to make it back:

Here's a video from the palace and the lake that you can enjoy in 4K:

I hope you enjoyed this rather long walk of mine, have a rest and see you on the next one!