Hattingen

Being that spring in Germany has now definitely “sprung”, the Budman and I decided we were going to get out of the apartment on Sunday and drive somewhere...anywhere. After all, "aall work and no play makes Budman and Hachie Gal a dull boy and girl." The destination was not really important, but rather we just wanted to enjoy a clear blue sky, the beginning of trees budding and flowers blooming, and visit a little Germany town somewhere in the vicinity of Dusseldorf. On a lark, we picked Hattingen.

Really, there is not much to Hattingen, especially on a Sunday. I mean, nothing was open, but because the weather was so fabulous, everyone was out in full fore, walking their dogs, window-shopping, eating ice cream, and sipping cappuccinos in little sidewalk cafes. No place to go and nothing to really do was actually quite nice.

Before I leave you with the false impression that there is nothing going on Hattingen, I should probably correct you. Lots of half timbered houses, winding cobblestone streets, a couple of old, old churches, and Castle Balkenstein awaited us. Just enough to be a nice outing…the Mexican food lunch at Amigos restaurant was the bonus.

Half-timbered houses in Hattingen.









The old Rathaus in Hattingen.



The castle of Balkenstein and views of the Ruhr River.









View of Hattingen from the tower of Castle Balkenstein.