Larochette

SO...Yet again, I've been approached with the Landscaper's Dilemma. I received two more offers for landscape gigs recently. Seriously - the first request was for mowing someone's lawn. I'm over 40 years old - seriously. Now, the second offer is a bit more intriguing...I've been asked to take a look at a cottage in the Burgundy region of France. I hope to get down there in the next couple of weeks, so I will keep you posted on this project. What a great way to see the world...

What do people think an International Man of Leisure gets up to in his spare time!!? Mow Grass? Au contraire, mes amis! I go and find Castles to explore!

Today's Castle is the Chateau Larochette

There's even a Larochette hat you can have your picture taken in...let me tell you, balancing that sucker was pretty tough!

The Chateau Larochette is also in the Mullerthal region of Luxembourg, and consists of a main house situated on a sandstone bluff as well as a lower 'Outer Works' all framed with a fortress wall. The spire rising out of my head in the photo above is the interior gate separating the main Castle from the lower works (to the right). The ruins were passed on to the Grand Duchy in the 1970's with the Manor House being completely restored over the years. The entire site is now a gallery for local artists. There are sculptures throughout the grounds, and inside the Manor House paintings and other framed art adorn the walls.

Local art hanging in the Great Hall.

I threw the boys in the Mini Cooper and together we zipped up to Mullerthal which is only a 30-40 minute drive from the Ville. The village of Larochette is quite nice with a main plaza that hosts events all year round plus many restaurants and shops. Equipped with my Luxembourg survival kit (i.e. raincoat, sunglasses, umbrella and dog snacks) I proceeded up to the castle bluff with Toby and Jonas leading the charge. Rather than drive up we took the ancient route from the town which led through terraced homes and felt just a bit more authentic. The online directions state you can walk up from rue de Mersch "next to house no. 48." Sure enough the path leads right along several of the villagers' garden gates.

...and we're off!

As we approached this particular ruin, it really became apparent why Luxembourg was able to remain independent through the centuries. You'd have to be absolutely nuts to try and storm this place...and this was just one of the vassals of the Grand Duc!  The original fortress dates back to the 12th century with the main Manor being built around 1350. Archeological excavations in the vaults below the castle have revealed Celtic artifacts at the site dating back to 5,000 BC! The ruins are an excellent example of medieval architecture. You really can see how {privileged} people lived, and Chateau Larochette must have been quite a nice place to live...if you were the Lord of the Manor, that is.

Inside the Outer Works looking toward the Main House.

 Toby had some difficulty staying still for his picture, so this was the best photo I could take. The grassy expanse inside the Castle wall would be a fantastic place for a picnic. I tried to capture this beauty with the boys as my subject, but takes 1 through 5 of the Pooches Portrait looked more like this...

Some of the gardens within the castle grounds - with one of my favorite's 'Solomon's Seal'

The Manor House of the Chateau has been completely rebuilt and is a great place for a gallery. Currently there are paintings, sculptures, photography and mixed media displayed. What a great use of space, and it's also an excellent way to ensure this space will remain relevant for generations to come!

Close up with the Manor House

The throne room in the main house - now a fantastic display area.

The vaulted 'basement' of the Manor House.

View of the Village of Larochette - can you spot Vicki?  ;-)

We decided to take a scenic route back to the village. This part of Luxembourg is truly beautiful, and as an added bonus there are miles and miles of hiking trails. The dogs and I hopped on an adjacent trail and wound our way down to the river valley and eventually back to the town square. The walk was nice, and we came across some very interesting things along the way! Up next on my Cavalcade of Castles is Luxembourg's Valley of Seven Chateaux...stay tuned!

The rock formations not only make a formidable barrier but also make for some awesome hiking!

I want NatGeo to try and explain this one?

...and yet another super cute PONY!!!!

Much nicer without ma biggol heayd in the way!

Spring found us!!

Tulips in our local park - Parc Tony Neuman

At long last, spring finally decided to arrive here in the Grand Duchy! I do realize this has been a strange, outlier of a year so far, but I am grateful nonetheless. I mean it was snowing just the other day...in CENTRAL SPAIN! 

I know I tend to complain (a lot?) about about weather, but boy-o-boy when the weather is bight and sunny, there may not be a prettier place in Europe. I will keep this in mind the next time I'm tempted to comment on the cold, cold gray skies. Sorry - just crept back into that dark place for a moment ;-)

With the advent of springlike weather, our local market is now in full swing. I popped down this past weekend to see what looked good...and, of course, most everything looks good. There's more to come at future markets since we've had such a late spring all across Europe, but already the produce has me longing for summer's bounty.

 I first went down to Place Guillaume II (the usual site of the market) to see what I could procure, but apparently things were moved around as this is a largely religious time of year. Luxembourg hosts the annual Octave at end of the Easter Season. The Octave is a tradition celebrating the Virgin Mary dating back to the 17th Century. The two week long pilgrimage ends with a carnival at the Ville's main square. Therefore our market was moved over to the Gelle Fra at Constitution square. Maybe not the most practical site in town, but certainly a beautiful one!

The spring carnival at Place Guillaume II

Market square was full of flowers, annual plants, fresh vegetables and of course local cheeses and cured meats. It can almost be overwhelming. One of my favorite parts about shopping at the Luxembourg market is, after the initial "Moien", when the vendor closes his eyes half way, cocks his head to the side trying to decide weather to launch into Luxembourgish, French or German. All right that's a slight exaggeration...it not really a verbal OK Corral around here, but due to my nondescript blend of western & northern European roots I tend to confuse a lot of people. When I shrug my shoulders and hold my hands out perpendicular to the ground (the universal sign for 'I-dunno?'), my true nature is revealed. This leads to much good-hearted confusion.  At least on my end of the negotiation! I find pointing and grunting works wonders!

Just look at these! The colors are absolutely stunning.

Also, I found this little cutie at the market as well. I mean how perfect is that? I found a single serving Cauliflower! That never happens at the supermarket. That said I do miss Jeni, tons! I know she's ready to get back for some much deserved Rest & Relaxation, and I am really ready to start cooking for two again!

...and speaking of Jeni, here she is at 'Ice Station Zebra.'

...and finally the obligatory shot of our cliff. Note the 'wild' lilacs cascading down the face of the rocks :)

I can handle it...

There are certain universal truths in our world. The Pick-up Truck Paradigm, for example. Anyone who's ever owned a truck has or will haul something (or indeed move an entire household) 'for a friend'. Conversely there is the Boat Rule; Never buy a boat, just find a friend with a boat...saves a lot of time and money. French cheese is superior - it just is.

I will share with you now the universal truth regarding Landscapers - which I am/was (a Landscape Designer that is) for many years. This undoubtedly comes up in conversation at all sorts of social functions, and the most common response when people find out I'm a landscaper is, "Oh my husband has some leaves that need to be raked up" or, "Why can't I get grass to grow in - fill in the location -?" To which I usually reply, "Oh, OK" or, "Probably too much acid in the soil." The acid thing always works because no one will ever actually test their soil. I'm sure there have been numerous backyard BBQ's where someone has said, "Yep, grass won't grow there 'cause the soil is too acid-y. We had a Landscaper out here last year." 

I know the Landscaper's Dilemma is a universal truth because it keeps happening to me here in Luxembourg...with Americans, Canadians, French, Luxembourgers, etc.  That said, I am an old softy at heart, and because I actually enjoying gardening I usually cave in and lend a hand to those who ask. I learned long ago that when working for friends...always work for beer (or wine as the case may be). When you toil for beverages, folks are much less likely to be critical. I have way too many get-togethers ahead of me to risk the story of, 'When Brian planted a Japanese Maple - and then it died.' Water your plants in the summertime people, and get those leaves up before your wife starts griping at me...you know who you are. Just a couple of free tips from a grizzled old gardener.

Will Work for Bordeaux.

 I recently popped in my first garden here on the Continent. While it won't win any awards, my 'Client' is pleased. Christian (yes, with the over-sized Caddy. I promise a proper photo soon - the dude is super camera-shy) just moved into a new apartment, and as many people do, he purchased a myriad of plants without realizing he had no way of actually getting them in the ground. Here's where I come in...for a day's worth of labor and years of professional experience I received a free haircut and a few bottles of French wine. Pretty good deal if you ask me. 

Not too 'Whiskey Tango' - at least he didn't make me sit in the front garden.

A popular Luxembourg aesthetic for gardens is what I shall call the 'Ratatouille Method'. In other words, buy one of everything (clear out the pantry), smash them into the same space (or pot) and see what comes up in the spring (ahem). I certainly understand the desire to purchase everything at the garden center, but when faced with the challenge of squeezing six pounds of flour into a five pound sack there are bound to be some issues. Fortunately I was on hand to talk Christian out of some rather dubious additional purchases ;)

Fig. 1-You recall this Luxembourg Garden Center, right? This is what a pro came up with!!?

Fig 2.-'Let's put this skinny green thing as close to that cherry tree as humanly possible.'

While not all gardens are this crazy, there really is a certain look to many of the green spaces around here...so, this was what we were able to come up with for Christian's back yard.

PSYCHE!

I shall get some more photos once things fill in a bit more...rumor has it there's to be a house warming party next month!