Day No. 196 - In the wine country - Pleisweiler-Oberhofen

When we wake up this morning at our forest parking lot in Spessart - 48°55'11.0″N 8°25'38.2″E - the sun is already shining. The birds are chirping. Incidentally, this is something we already noticed at our last forest parking lot. Of course, we know birdsong from Cologne. But this is more the cooing of pigeons or the chattering, not to say deafening clamouring and scolding of green collared parakeets. But here we hear familiar, native sounds, real bird calls, not from a tape recorder. We identify a woodpecker, blackbird, blue tit and even an eagle owl. - However, we do not hear or see the thrush, finch and starling, as in the Heimatlied. - Home, we haven't missed you yet. But it's exciting how rich you can be.

The sun also brings the odd walker to our parking lot. Incidentally, the photo above shows a car driven by autonomous people. - Yes, that's right, it's our Hector. Because just as I was walking for little boys, walkers came up to me and asked if I was one of the Autonomen and I pointed to Hector. 

The question is not meant in a negative way at all; it turns out that the couple have been driving a T4 themselves for many, many years. I'm reassured, as I was briefly worried about being pelted with stones.

We also want to stay as far away from crowds as possible today. That's why we look for a parking space near Landau. We find a recommendation via park4night. Next to a former tennis court, outside the small village of Pleisweiler-Oberhofen - 49°06'59.0″N 7°59'21.9″E - and on the edge of a nature reserve. The last 500 m there are only restrictions for residents. But we have a concern. When we get there, another walker is parked there, taking his dog for a walk. We limit ourselves to a friendly greeting from afar.

The location allows us to go for a little walk without encountering people. A small stream flows through the valley. The trees at the edge of the path are very mossy. In general, the area here is more reminiscent of a fairytale forest. Wild ferns, fallen trees, dense undergrowth. Two road signs, just behind the former tennis court, indicate a restriction in both directions. A nature reserve in one direction, only permitted for vehicles in the countryside and the German army in the other. But we don't want to enter either the nature reserve or the other direction with our Hector.

A walk in the fresh air is good for us. Just take a deep breath again. Will we be able to get used to Cologne's smog again after this fresh air? Oh yes, maybe there is no smog at all. Because, at least in theory, there should be fewer vehicles on the road. A little further on, we discover an old "Bundeswehr research station" - 49°07'09.2″N 7°58'43.7″E - apparently the facility has not been used for a long time. The fences have fallen into disrepair, but the guardhouse and the signage are still reminiscent of the Cold War. Sting's lyrics come to mind spontaneously.

"...On either side of the political fence

We share the same biology, regardless of ideology

Believe me when I say to you

I hope the Russians love their children too..."

Towards evening, we darken the windshield and put up the roof tent. We don't want anyone to think we are camping. We only interrupt our journey to regain roadworthiness 😉

It comes as it had to come? - A few minutes later, a four-wheel drive vehicle drives past and brakes. I look out of the door and am approached without a greeting. "Don't you know you're not allowed to stand here?" No, we don't know. - To be honest, we don't think so either. Nevertheless, I wish them a good evening. My response is, "You're not allowed to stand here, can't you see you're in a nature reserve?" - I refrain from lecturing the gentleman because, at least according to the signs, we are standing in front of, but not in, a nature reserve. I say again that we're sorry we didn't know that. The flippant reply: "You'll be gone in the morning, won't you?" As I don't want a discussion, I say nicely and kindly that we will be leaving tomorrow morning, which is what we intend to do. I even thank him warmly. And have a good day. Instead of an answer, the window goes up and he drives on.

Regardless of whether it was a forester, a hunter or just a concerned citizen, this did not cast a good light. Yes, this side of Germany has us again. - The fact is that neither in the Netherlands, France, Portugal nor Spain have we ever been treated like this. Even from the GNR or the Gardia Civil, we have experienced such a tone. On the contrary, we can only report positive things.

But our place here in the old tennis courts is really beautiful. - There is pure, undisturbed nature here, no radio or data network penetrates this valley. - We can take a deep breath, even from the flood of coronavirus information. - Tonight we're having lentil soup, not only with bacon but also with ginger. Torgit also adds turmeric and garlic. Funny, I know that the former strengthens the body's resistance, but I would have thought that the latter helps against vampires. O.k. if we had to go to the supermarket, it might also free up space.