After the crowds and noise of a day at Legoland, we were looking for peaceful places to spend the day, without venturing too far from our base at Blaustein.  I already knew that I wanted to visit Kloster Wiblingen, with its spectacular library.  And our host suggested that the Kleine Lautertal nature reserve was a great place to go for a run, with very few people likely to be around.  It sounded perfect.

We were at Wiblingen for opening time.  I made my way into the cloister courtyard, found the right entrance, and climbed two flights of grand stairs.  I was directed through the small museum, which was all in German.  I moved through this quickly, looking at the displays but not pausing to translate the information. 

At the end of a short corridor, I went through the double doors, and stopped in my tracks.  Unfolding in front of me was the stunning rococo Library, the colours vibrant and the shelves of books exuding that wonderful smell that only ancient volumes can.  Best of all, I was the only person in there!  I couldn’t believe my luck – I was expecting a throng, but it was just me.  Quickly I took photos while I had the chance, then took my time examining every nook and cranny.  I craned my neck upwards to admire the painted ceilings.  I peered at the spines of the books, trying to figure out just how old they were, and whether they were arranged according to Dewey.  I took it all in, enjoying my rare minutes of solitude.  Even when others joined me, it was only a group of four, with a softly spoken guide.

Reluctantly I dragged myself away, and we headed further south.  Our destination was Erbach an der Donau, and we saw the famous river.  Parts of Erbach are on an extensive flood plain.  Ian’s German ancestors on his father’s side emigrated from here to Albury; we don’t know any more than that.  We went to the Catholic Church at the top of the hill, figuring that would be the closest to what Erbach might have looked like in the 1800s.  The nearby schloss is now a wedding venue, and there are a lot of new houses and industry in the town.

We had lunch at home, then set off again, this time to the Kleine Lautertal.  It’s only a 15 minute drive from Blaustein, but as soon as we parked the car next to the little church, we felt like we’d stepped into a hidden world.  The Lauter Valley is home to juniper heathland, steep slopes scattered with karst formations, a handful of quaint buildings, river meadows, forest trails, and the spring that forms the source of the crystal clear Lauter river.  We barely saw a car, and were passed by a handful of cyclists and walkers.  It was blissfully peaceful, and seemingly no-one knows about it except for a handful of locals.  I hope it stays that way.

It’s been a quietly beautiful day.