Let Them Eat [More] Cake

We recently enjoyed five days staying with friends in Konigstein, near Frankfurt.  It seems  to have become a regular place to visit at the really-fed-up end of the winter – also known as February!  It is great for us because the travel itself is easy and – shock horror – this time even getting through security at Birmingham airport was quick.  Also, when ensconced in Konigstein there is no pressure to ‘do’ anything – just let each day unfold.  Naturally that ends up having a good catch-up (including whinging and moaning about the world in general) and having a giggle, as well as mainly eating and drinking!  Depending on the weather we might venture out for a restorative walk, returning via the incredibly fantastic Café Kreiner.  It is an archetypal German café with beautifully presented pastries, cakes and torte – defined as a rich, usually multi-layered, cake that is filled with whipped cream, buttercreams, mousses, jams, or fruit.  It is also the place where the great-and-good of the town meet for afternoon tea – with their handbag pooches clutched underarm or dressed in gaudy ‘coats’ looking bewildered and embarrassed by such frivolous and ridiculous embellishment.  So… if that is the local canine population – can you imagine the get-up of their (usually more mature) owners?!  Konigstein is known to be a fairy wealthy town and I would surmise that the Botox and facelift providers, and beauty spas have a brisk trade!

Anyway, I digress – check out the sweet treats on this website: Konditorei Kreiner | Königstein im Taunus

We did manage a short touristy excursion to a small town called Bad Camberg  which is located in the eastern Taunus in the Goldener Grund (“Golden Ground”) some about 44 km northwest of Frankfurt.  It seems to have a fixation with goats as there were sculptures and artworks of these animals all over the town – however, I don’t know why!  As a spa town its mineral spring waters, fed from the outlying centre of Oberselters, are well known as Selterswasser, translated as “seltzer” in English.
The old town is attractive and steeped in history – with quite a number of elaborately decorated timber-frame houses mainly built between the 15th and 18th centuries…. good for a photo opportunity in between stopping for more refreshments!