Friday, July 19, 2013

Love Locks in Cologne & a local Sandwich Treat called "Halve Hahn"


Of the seven bridges that cross the majestic Rhine river (Rhein) in my beloved hometown Cologne (Köln), the Hohenzoller Bridge (Hohenzollernbrücke) is the most famous - thanks in part to its location near the majestic Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom). It is also the oldest bridge, built between 1907 and 1911.
Von den sieben Kölner Brücken über den Rhein ist die Hohenzollernbrücke nicht nur Dank ihrer Nähe zum Kölner Dom die schönste, sondern sie ist mit ihrem Baudatum 1907 auch die älteste.
An gleicher Stelle überquerte bereits seit 1855 eine Eisenbahnbrücke den Rhein. Die damalige "Dombrücke" verband den neu erbauten Kölner Hauptbahnhof mit dem rechten Rheinufer. 




Originally, the bridge was both a railway and street bridge, however, after its destruction in 1945 and its subsequent reconstruction, it was only accessible to rail and pedestrian traffic. Today, it is the most heavily used railway bridge in Germany, it now regularly has over 1200 trains pass through daily. A pedestrian walkway allows visitors who do not mind the constant rumbling of train traffic to cross the Rhine for a beautiful view of the skyline of Cologne. Due to its location near the world famous Cathedral, it is one of the most photographed landmarks in Cologne. The bridge is especially beautiful at night, when the large arches are illuminated.

The bridge is regarded as an important part of Cologne as it connects Cologne's central station with major European cities on the other side of the Rhine. The total length of the Hohenzollern Bridge is 409.19 meters (1,342.5 ft).
Nach ihrer Sprengung 1945, begann man bereits im selben Jahr mit einer notdürftigen Reparatur, die im Jahre 1959 mit einem weitgehenden Neubau abgeschlossen wurde. Heute wird die Brücke von einer unüberschaubaren Anzahl Fußgängern und täglich 1200 Zügen passiert. Auf dem Fußweg wird man mit einem wunderbaren Blick auf die Kölner Altstadt und den Dom für das konstante Rumpeln der Züge entschädigt. Die Hohenzollernbrücke ist durch ihre Nähe zum Dom eines der meist fotografierten Bauwerke in Köln. In der Nacht ist die Brücke besonders schön anzusehen, da ihre weiten Bögen farbig beleuchtet werden.

Die Brücke gilt als wichtiger Verkehrsknotenpunkt denn sie verbindet auch heute noch Köln mit den wichtigsten Städen östlich des Rheins. Die gesamte Länge der Hohenzollerbrücke beträgt 409,19 m.




If you happen to be bored with sending flowers and chocolates on February the 14th, also known as Valentine’s Day, you could express your love with a padlock instead. "Love locks" may have gotten their start in Italy, but the tokens of love are now all the rage in one German city, namely Cologne.

Rome is, without a doubt, a perfect place for romance. There, it is said, on the famous Milvian bridge over the Tiber, is where it all began. People started affixing lucchetti d'amore, or love locks to the Ponte Milvio, an idea which can be attributed to a popular book by Italian author Federico Moccia. Young lovers still flock to the bridge today to immortalize their love with an engraved padlock, throwing the key into the swirling waters below.

In the German City of Cologne, love locks are also all the rage, with hundreds of them clinging to the busy Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine. The locks began appearing on the pedestrian footpath across the bridge in summer of 2008. After the locks are affixed, the key is thrown into the river Rhine River (for safe keeping).
Wenn man von Blumen und Schokolade zum 14. Februar gelangweilt ist, kann man seine Liebe am nächsten Valentinstag vielleicht mit einem Vorhängeschloss ausdrücken. "Liebesschlösser" kommen ursprünglich aus Italien, sind inzwischen aber auch in Köln zu finden.

Zweifellos ist Rom die romantische Stadt schlechthin. Dort, so wird erzählt, begann alles auf der wunderschönen Milvischen Brücke über den Tiber. Der italienische Autor Federico Moccia schreibt, dass die Menschen "Lucchetti d´amore", also Liebesschlösser, an die "Ponte Milvio" zu ketten. Und noch immer strömen junge Menschen zur Brücke, um ihre Liebe durch das Werfen des Schlüssels zu einem gravierten Schloss in die Fluten unsterblich werden zu lassen.

In Köln sind diese Schlösser sehr beliebt, hunderte von ihnen hängen an den Geländern der Hohenzollernbrücke. Die ersten Schlösser erschienen wohl im Sommer 2008 neben dem Fußweg über den Rhein, in dem nach dem Anbringen auch die Schlüssel versenkt werden (sicher ist sicher).




Love locks (also known as love padlocks or wish locks) are a custom by which padlocks are affixed to a fence, gate, bridge or similar public fixture by couples, lovers, families at an increasing number of locations in the world to symbolize their love.
Liebesschlösser (auch Wunschschlösser genannt) werden von Pärchen, Liebenden und Familien an einem Zaun, einem Geländer, einer Brücke oder ähnlichem im öffentlichen Raum angebracht, um ihre Liebe zu symbolisieren.Dieser Brauch ist an immer mehr Orten auf der Welt zu finden.




Heidi and Hans (I just like how very German their names sound) were on the Hohenzoller Bridge in 2012...
Heidi und Hans waren 2012 auf der Hohenzollernbrücke...




...and so was this young couple that was admiring the locks.
...genau wie diese junge Paar, das sich heute für die Schlösser interessiert.




There are some beautiful locks with very pretty designs. The love locks can be intriguing for those walking past, or when viewed from the trains which sometimes stop while waiting for platform space at the main Cologne Railway Station.
Für Fußgänger gibt einige schöne Schlösser mit hübschen Designs zu bestaunen, die aber auch von den Reisenden in den wartenden Zügen zum Kölner Hauptbahnhof wahrgenommen werden können.




Some really heavy locks like this one with a salamander immediately caught my attention.
Einige richtig massive Schlösser, wie dieses hier mit dem  Salamander, weckten mein besonderes Interesse.




The love locks have already braved wind, rain, sleet and snow but also a threat by the The German Railway (Deutsche Bahn) to have the locks removed. Since it is responsible for the bridge, the company threatened to have the locks sawn off from the Hohenzollern Bridge but in the end due to public protest, relented, had a change of heart (!) and left the locks untouched.

There was a Inter-City Express (High Speed Train) or "ICE" crossing the bridge as I took this picture and while I took the picture, I noticed that someone had scribbled an interesting observation about a VIP visitor on the fence.
Diese Liebesschlösser trotzten bereits Wind, Regen, Hagel und Schnee, sowie dem Wunsch der Deutschen Bundesbahn nach ihrer Entfernung. Als verantwortlicher Betreiber der Brücke drohte die Bahn, die Schlösser abzusägen. Nach deutlichem öffentlichem Protest änderte die Bahn allerdings ihre Meinung und ließ die Schlösser unangetastet.

Hier überquert gerade ein ICE die Brücke als ich fotografiere und irgendjemand hat eine interessante Beobachtung über einen VIP-Besucher auf dem Zaun notiert.




There are bright red locks with the inscription of  "Forbidden Love" ("Verbotene Liebe")...
Hier hat jemand ein geheimnisvolles "Verbotene Liebe" hinterlassen...




...and there are more heavy locks like this beauty that resembles a tortoise (Schildkröte).
... und dieses schwere Schloss erinnert an eine Schildkröte.




Each inscription is different. Some are just initials written in marker pen, others have been more expensively engraved. And the love locks are not just for couples, close friends are also making use of these symbols of affection.

This inscription reads "I fell in love with you. You are the best that could ever happen to me and the only one that really matters. I love you more than words can say" ("Ich habe mich verliebt, und zwar in Dich. Für mich bist Du das Beste auf der Welt, und das ist das einzige, was zählt! ich liebe Dich über alles!").
Jede Inschrift ist anders. Einge haben nur ihre Initialen mit Edding hinterlassen, andere haben ihr Schloss aufwendig gravieren lassen. Und nicht nur Pärchen haben ihr Schloss hinterlassen, auch "beste Freunde" nutzen diese Symbole der Zuneigung.

Die Inschrift aud dem roten Schloss liest sich so: "Ich habe mich verliebt, und zwar in Dich. Für mich bist Du das Beste auf der Welt, und das ist das einzige, was zählt! ich liebe Dich über alles!"





The tokens have also become an attraction for tourists, who stop to take a closer look at the messages inscribed on them or, like this family from Denver, Colorado, affix a padlock themselves.
Inzwischen sind die Schlösser auch eine Attraktion für Touristen geworden, die die Inschriften lesen oder, wie diese Familie aus Denver, Colorado, selber ein Schloss anbringen.




I really liked this lock that looks like a sun.
Ich mag dieses Schloss in Form einer Sonne wirklich sehr.




The inscription on this lock reads "We are so far apart but yet so close" ("Wie sind uns fern aber doch ganz nah").
Welche Geschichte sich wohl hinter diesem Spruch verbirgt?




Oh so very pretty.
Oh, wie hübsch!




Another favorite of mine, a vintage lock with keys attached.
Auch dies ist ein persönlicher Favorit, ein altes Vorhängeschloss mit Schlüsseln.




Bridges have always been symbolic places for lovers. Just like a relationship, they connect two parts. This would explain why love locks have been spotted on bridges all around the world, from Italy to Latvia, and even as far afield as China.
Brücken waren schon immer symbolische Orte für Verliebte. Wie in einer Beziehung verbinden sie zwei Teile. Das erklärt wohl, warum sich Liebesschlösser auf vielen Brücken der Welt finden lassen, in Italien und Lettland, ebenso wie im weit entfernten China.




And if you are into Urban Climbing, there are anchors set up at the top of the walls of the bridge that you may use if you have obtained a permission before climbing. You may climb here between the months of March and November (not during winter time).

The use of the climbing facility is free and therefore particularly interesting for youth groups and schools. The urban climbing facility is mangaged by the German Alpine Club DAV (http://www.dav-koeln.de) with the permission of the City of Cologne. The walls of the bridge are made ​​of limestone and allow climbing on "natural rock" in the middle of the City of Cologne.

The Hohenzollern Bridge is the only freely accessible climbing wall at a historic monument in Germany.
Und wenn man sich für Urban Climbing interessiert, dann findet man Haken an den Wänden der Hohenzollernbrücke, an denen man (eine Erlaubnis vorausgesetzt) seinem Sport nachgehen kann. Von März bis November ist hier das Klettern erlaubt, im Winter natürlich nicht.

Die Kletterwand ist kostenlos zu benutzen und deshalb auch für Jugendgruppen und Schulen interessant. Unterhalten wird die Wand vom Deutschen Alpenverein DAV (http://www.dav-koeln.de) mit Genehmigung der Stadt Köln. Die Pfeiler der Brücke sind aus Sandstein und erlauben so das Klettern auf einem natürlichem Stein mitten in Köln.

Die Hohenzollernbrücke ist damit die einzige frei zugängliche Kletterwand an einem historischen Bauwerk in Deutschland




The best part of the urban bridge climbing is the location right next to the Rhine with the breathtaking view. The sun shines all day on the Rhine and in the late evening the walls of the bridge are still bathed in the sunlight and have slowly absorbed the warmth of the sun throughout the day. So, obviously, it does not really come as a surprise that many sunbathers, sightseers and climbers adore the bridge and its surroundings.
Das Beste am Klettern an der Hohenzollernbrücke ist ihre Lage direkt am Rhein mit einem atemberaubenden Blick. Tagsüber scheint die Sonne über dem Rhein und auch spät am  Abend leuchtet die Abendsonne auf die erwärmten Steine. Und so, es überrascht nicht, findet man viele Sonnenanbeter, Touristen und Kletterer, die die Brücke und ihre Umgebung genießen. 




And if all the sightseeing and urban climbing has left you hungry, here is the recipe for the most traditional of Cologne sandwiches, the so-called "Halve Hahn" (literally meaning "half a chicken") a rye double bun called Röggelchen”, with a rather dark exterior. Two pieces are set together in the oven so that when they are broken apart, there is a soft spot on one side. The split buns are slathered with yellow mustard and topped with thick slices of  medium ripe Gouda cheese.

There are many legends why this bun is called this way and somehow they all revolve around the Cologne dialect and guests at a local pub or customers at the bakery having ordered or asked for only "half" a bun, not "half a chicken".

If you do not manage to travel to the Rhineland, to get a Halve Hahn in one of the Pubs and order a “Kölsch”, the typical beer from the Rhineland, here is a simple recipe for those lovely dark buns.
Und wenn man durch all das "Sightseeing" und Klettern hungrig geworden ist, dann habe ich hier ein sehr traditionelles Kölner Rezept, den sogenannten "Halven Hahn". Das ist natürlich kein halbes Hähnchen, sondern ein Roggenbrötchen ("Röggelchen"). Diese außen recht dunklen Brötchen werden immer zu zweit nebeneinander im Ofen gebacken, weshalb sie eine weiche Stelle bekommen, wenn man sie auseinander bricht. Die aufgeschnittenen Brötchenhälften werden mit gelbem Senf bestrichen und dick mit mittelaltem Gouda belegt.

Viele Legenden ranken sich um die Entstehung des Namens "Halve Hahn". Letztlich geht es immer um Eigenheiten des kölschen Dialekts. So soll ein Gast in einem Brauhaus ein Röggelchen bestellt haben, jedoch nur eins von den beiden zusammen gebackenen Brötchen. Als der Wirt mit beiden Röggelchen erschien, soll der Gast gerufen haben: "Isch wollt doch nur en ´halven han´!" Und so soll daraus ein geflügeltes Wort geworden sein, eben der "Halve Hahn".

Falls man jedoch nicht ins Rheinland reisen und deshalb keinen "Halven Hahn" mit einem Kölsch in einem Brauhaus bestellen kann, gibt es hier ein einfaches Rezept für diese leckeren dunklen Brötchen.




Recipe for Röggelchen (Dark Rye Buns)

Ingredients for the Buns
  • 500 grams rye flour
  • 1 package dry instant yeast (7 grams dry yeast or 42 grams fresh yeast cake)
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 200 ml milk (I use 3.5 %)
  • a little milk for brushing


Preparation of the Buns
  1. Place the flour in a large bowl dish, creating a well in the middle.
  2. Add the yeast with 1 tsp sugar and the warm milk and pour it into the well.
  3. Stir some of the flour together with the yeast and the milk. Cover and let prove for about 15 minutes.
  4. Then stir in the remaining flour and the salt beat vigorously with a wooden spoon until the dough is elastic and comes together.
  5. Let the dough prove for about 40 to 50 minutes, covered with a kitchen towel.
  6. Then take bun sized pieces (about 50 g in weight) from the dough, form patties, then buns and place two buns close together on the flowered baking sheets (or use baking mats or parchment paper).
  7. Cover and let prove for an additional 15 minutes.
  8. Preheat your oven to 210 degrees Celsius.
  9. Brush with warm milk and bake for about 18 to 20 minutes at 210 degrees Celsius until they have a deep brown color brown.
Rezept für Röggelchen

Zutaten

  • 500 g Roggenmehl
  • 1 Paket Hefe (7 Gramm Trockenhefe oder 42 Gramm frische Hefe))
  • 1 Tl. Zucker
  • 1 (gestr.) Tl. feines Meersalz
  • 200 ml Milch (ich benutze immer 3.5 %)
  • Etwas Milch zum Bestreichen


Zubereitung

  1. Mehl in eine Backschüssel geben, in der Mitte eine Vertiefung eindrücken.
  2. Die zerbröckelte Hefe mit 1 Tl. Zucker und etwas lauwarmer Milch in die Vertiefung geben.
  3. Mit etwas Mehl zum Vorteig verrühren. Abdecken und zirka 15 Minuten gehen lassen.
  4. Den Vorteig mit dem restlichen Mehl und dem Salz verrühre und kräftig mit einem Holzlöffel schlagen, bis sich der Teig von der Schüsselwand löst. 
  5. Diesen dann mit einem Küchentuch abdecken und 30 bis 40 Minuten gehen lassen.
  6. Dann brötchengrosse Stücke (etwa 50 g schwer) abteilen, zu Laibchen formen und auf dem bemehlten Backbrett gehen lassen (man kann auch Backmatten oder Backpapier verwenden).
  7. Die Laibchen auf das gefettete Backblech setzen, abdecken und erneut zirka 15 gehen lassen).
  8. Den Backofen auf 210 Grad vorheizen.
  9. Längs einschneiden, mit lauwarmer Milch bestreichen und bei 210 Grad zirka 18 bis 20 Minuten backen bis die Röggelchen eine dunkelbraue Farbe haben.




Legend tells us that if a lock with the initials or an inscription of two people in love is affixed to a bridge, they will return together to this bridge and their love will be forever locked.
Die Legende besagt, dass zwei Liebende, die ein Schloss mit ihren Initialen oder einer Inschrift an einer Brücke anbringen, gemeinsam dort hin zurückkehren und ihre Liebe für immer bestehen bleibt.



45 comments:

  1. Andrea, this has to be one of my favorite post to read of yours so far. I love the idea of the "love locks". So glad to hear the German Railway had a change of heart. Amazing they let you climb the bridges! I can so see my nephew out there! Thanks for sharing such a lovely story. Your rolls look delicious - these my husband for sure would love, rye is one of his favorite breads. Have a good weekend!

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    1. Cathleen, that is such a kind and wonderful comment - it is certainly quite rewarding to read that you enjoyed this rather lengthy post that took me quite a while and a lot of patinece to put together! I truly appreciate your support! Vielen Dank, dear friend!

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  2. beautiful shot, interesting post, thanks a lot for sharing with us

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    1. You are quite welcome - glad that you enjoyed this post from my lovely hometown and about one of the places that I really like to visit with my family!

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  3. Andrea - this post is amazing! It has been many years since I have visited Köln - and that was also many years before Love Locks! I look forward to returning someday to see these declarations of love. And I will be making the Halve Hahn breads, but will think of them as Love Buns because of this post which combines them with the love locks. Herzliche Grußen aus (immer) sonnigen Tucson! ~ David

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    1. David, of course you know that next time you will be travelling to Cologne who your tour guide will be! There are some fabulous new bakeries and coffee shops and restaurants and theatres and museums...How funny that you call these buns "Love Buns" - when I wrote this post I was thinking kind of the same, their shape reminds me of a "couple", two persons that belong together. How fun that we had the same association!
      Ein schönes Wochenende und lieben Dank für deinen tollen Kommentar!

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    2. I have been wanting to get Mark to Germany for many years now - he needs to see my old haunts in Heidelberg and then Köln, naturlich! W will keep you posted!

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    3. David, now that would be fun. You know (of course) that Heidelberg is such a beautiful place and Cologne too - I think I will start putting together a "things to visit while in Cologne" list...and do not forget to buy a lock, have it engraved with both your names and then bring it to Cologne with you when you visit!!!

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  4. What an enchanting article! I had heard of the Love Locks in Rome, but I did not know the tradition had spread to Germany. Nor had I any idea of how positively beautiful some of the locks are. I had no idea couples engraved them. What treasures. Frankly, I would have had a very difficult time leaving some of those locks behind. Many are true works of art. It must be love.

    I have never had a bun made of rye flour. I bet they are wonderful with the mustard and cheese you describe. Thanks for the inspiration and for the truly heartwarming story of the Love Locks of Cologne.

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    1. Adri, the first time I saw the Love Locks, I was a bit shocked myself (in a rather positive way), I never thought they were so pretty and so very numerous. I had a ball researching this post, taking the pictures and coming up with some "food" to go with this post. While I was taking pictures, I was asked by some US tourists about these locke, they were so enchanted, I sent them to the next locksmith, they run off into the sunset to have them engraved and wanted to come back with locks in their hands to affix them to the bridge. This was a wonderful late Friday afternoon.

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  5. Andrea, I forgot to mention that I enjoyed the shot of the fellow climbing the sheer stone wall of the bridge. He looks like he is striking a pose from "Afternoon of a Faun."

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    1. Adri, I must admit that I had to consult someone regarding the "Afternoon of a Faun", I believe that you are referring to the ballett, so I do take this as a lovely compliment - Mille grazie, Adri!

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  6. Brilliant. Amazing. Interesting.

    ---your food blending into the scenery is Faaaaabulous.

    & those locks. I LOVE! I want to put on my own! WOW.

    Loved this post. Xx

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    1. Kim, thanks so much for the nice comment - next time I will visit the Hohenzollern Bridge, I will have to put up on these lovely Love Locks as well.

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  7. What a great post. Love locks have only just begun to catch on here.

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  8. What an interesting story of the bridge and the love locks. I have heard of them before, but your photos and description are lovely. Thanks for
    sharing.

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    1. Nana, you are quite welcome, nice to read that you enjoyed this post.

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  9. Awesome post and I loved the detailed photos of all the different locks - very beautiful. The rye bread looks delicious and I would love to give it a try, can you let me know how many grams of yeast in a packet - cheers.. Karen

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    1. Karen thank you so much for the lovely comment - it make me very happy that some of my readers enjoy this post which is very very dear to my heart...

      I did add the information that you requetsed to the recipe - I did a bit of research this morning, it does seem that dry yeat packages in different countries have different weights: 7 grams it is in Germany which is the equivalent to 42 grams fresh yeast - I hope that helps, let me know how the buns turn out if you get a chance to make them! The rule beign: 7 grams of dry yeats or 42 grams of fresh yeast to 500 grams of flour.
      Liebe Grüße - Andrea

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  10. Andrea, A great post! I loved visiting Cologne with you! The love locks are fascinating! Your rye bread looks perfectly delicious. Wish I could have had a place at your picnic….lovely!

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    1. Kathy, I am sure that you would enjoy a stroll along the Hohenzollern Bridge, a visit to the Cologne Cathedral and a visit to a local Pub at the end of the day - you could order a "Halve Hahn" there and I am sure you would enjoy everything about your visit.

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  11. Andrea, I loved the post...not only your wonderful writing but the photos as well. We will be in Germany again this fall...so near and yet far from Cologne. This year we will be as only as far north as Stuttgart. I was going to ask if you had a lock there but I read in the comments that you will do that on your next visit. I know I would like the dark rye buns for the sandwich you made.

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    1. Karen, I just told my husband about an hour ago that I was asking myself whether you would be travelling to Germany again this fall - how nice to read that you are in fact going to be visiting - well, Stuttgart is not Cologne or Bonn but I should mange to at least get in contact with you there. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  12. Andrea, what a lovely, fun post! I have heard of this before but never had the pleasure of a private "lock" tour. Your photos are wonderful and express thousands of thoughts and emotions. Now I HAVE to visit Cologne again! Your bread looks so yummy and that German cheese is making my mouth water!

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    1. Chris, vielen Dank, of course you will have to visit and then you will have to take a look at quite a few different interesting places like the "Chocolate Museum" and taste best Lindt chocolate there and then affix a lock to the Hohenzollern Bridge and take tons of pictures (and I shall be your personal tour guide).

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  13. What a beautiful tradition! I enjoyed seeing all the photos of locks that you posted. My husband was in Cologne a few years ago and still talks about how lovely it is.

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    1. Beth, thanks you so much for the comment- how nice that your husband had a chance to visit my lovely hometown a few years back - lots has changed there in the last few years but lots has also remaíned the same - and it is always interesting to pay a visit to Köln.

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  14. You Germans are such romantics!
    What a gorgeous idea. You found some beautifully unusual padlocks, too.

    The buns look lovely. Your recipe looks so easy. I've gotta try this in the next
    few days. Thanks, love. xo

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    1. Colette, my friend, lovely comment! You make me happy when you let me know that you like this post that happens to be one of my favorites (ah, I am so biased...) and you make me smile when you write that the Germans are a romantic peolple...no often that I hear that!
      Hope all is well with you!

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  15. Was für ein interessanter Eintrag. Das Rezept sieht köstlich aus und die "love locks" Tradition ganz romantisch.

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    1. Lieber Frédéric, ganz herzlichen Dank für deinen netten Kommentar. Es freut mich zu lesen, dass dir der Beitrag gefallen hat und ich bin mir sicher, dass dir der "Halve Hahn" auch ganz wunderbar schmecken würde!

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  16. Always adore your photograph,
    this is worth to visit when i've got married.......hehehe

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    1. Dede, next time you will travel to Cologne you should affix a lock newly wed or not - friends, children and families are also very happy with putting up these locks. There are romantic but also fun.

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  17. What a great post. I love reading about the bridge and looking at all the pretty love locks. It would be awesome to visit one day.

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    1. Thrishie, thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed this post - this bridge is fun to visit and I will make sure to put up a lock there next time I am visiting.

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  18. Wow you found some very unique locks!!! What a great post!

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    1. Thanks so very much - nice to read that you liked this post!

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  19. Every time I visit your blog I learn something new--and not always about baking! Love, love, love the locks--how fun. The buns look yummy too.

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    1. Cindy, how wonderful that you enjoy visiting here and do not mind my little excursions about "all things dear to my heart" - it feels great to have your much appreciated and kind support!

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  20. WOOOWWW What a lovely post:) and your blog Is SO cute.

    Check out my new blog post and have a fab week dear:)

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
    (sweden)

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    1. Maria, thanks so much for visiting and so nice of you to let me know that you not only enjoy this post but also my blog - I will make sure to hop over to your blog!

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  21. Great place. Love locks on the Rhine River, the Dom Cathedral, Hohenzollern Bridge is a breathtaking sight. Yesterday I visited and shared here.

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    1. Özer, thank you so much for stopping by, glad that you enjoyed my blog post from my lovely hometown, Cologne! I shall take a look at your post about the love locks now!

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  22. Liebe Andrea,

    als Bildredakteurin für Axel Springer Corporate Solutions betreue ich das kostenlose Deutsche Bahn/Einkaufsbahnhof Magazin „Dein Bahnhof“.

    Im Rahmen der neuen Ausgabe haben wir einen Artikel zum Thema „Sonntagsfrühstück.“ Wir würden uns freuen, wenn Sie uns erlauben, Ihr schönes Halve-Hahn Bild zu zeigen. Wäre es möglich? Wir würden sehr gern als Quelle The Kitchen Lioness erwähnen.

    Vielen Dank im voraus! Ich freue mich auf Ihre Antwort und verbliebe mit besten Grüßen

    Anni Tracy
    Bildredakteurin – Axel Springer SE
    annitracy@gmail.com
    anni.tracy@axelspringer.com

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    1. Liebe Anni, sehr gern dürfen Sie das Foto in dem genannten Magazin verwenden. Über ein Belegexemplar würde ich mich sehr freuen.
      Viele Grüße aus Bonn,
      Andrea
      andrea@thekitchenlioness.de

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