Knock to enter the new year

Knock to enter the new year

To see in the New Year, door knockers on the main entrances of churches. The first is at Holy Trinity in Stratford on Avon. The others in Cologne and Trier.

Partnachklamm, Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Partnachklamm, Garmisch-Partenkirchen

The deep gorge of the Partnach stream near Garmisch-Partenkirchen. The stream is fed by the meltwaters of one of the glaciers on the Zugspitze mountain, and cuts through the limestone of its lower slopes.

Gentians, Oberammergau

Gentians, Oberammergau

Spring flowers (seen early one May) in one of the alpine meadows between the villages of Oberammergau and Unterammergau.

Crow, Englischer Garten, Munich

Crow, Englischer Garten, Munich

The Englischer Garten is a huge public park near the centre of Munich, known among other features for a large beergarden, a standing wave on the river Isar which is a mecca for surfers, and a section of the park where nude sunbathing is allowed. It’s also a haven for wildlife.

Here a carrion crow, patronising a spot which looks like there is regular food left out for birds.