I am going to start this post in my usual way with some thoughts from James. He is asking a question: ‘What if you look in a mirror and then forget to clean your face? ‘
He then continues in a positive way by saying: ‘ Well if you look at the perfect law of freedom, and then continue in it and do the deeds, you will be blessed in your deeds.’
He then gives this specific example: ‘ Pure religion before God the Father is this; to visit the fatherless and widows in their distress and (keep yourself unspotted by the world) maintain your moral and spiritual purity by actively rejecting the corrupting values, sins, and ungodly behaviour of secular society.’
Then this: ‘ If people seem religious and don’t control how they speak about others, they deceive themselves, this person’s religion is in vain.’
Sandy has made it her own read it is in James 1: 23-27.
We are still in Germany and these observations were revisited after we noticed so much more on our cycle ride.
The tree is situated in a village close to Raesfeld and has been a natural monument since 1935 and a national heritage tree since 2021, the garden is the Bürgerpark Raesfield and what about the asparagus? It is being farmed in this area and is being brought in and on the menu.
First the ‘Natural monument Femeiche ‘ (as on the sign). The name comes from its former function as a place of judgement. (Feme-judgement,punishment.) The tree is a pedunculate oak ( quercus robur) estimated to be 800 to 1,100 years old. One of the oldest trees in Germany. The trunk circumference at breast height is 12.45m.
In the Middle Ages the Femegericht court ( vehemic court) met there to judge severe crimes and offences. An example of this was the knight Gert van Diepenbrock and two of his servants who were sentenced to death in absentia in 1441 by the Freigaf ( chairman of the court) Bernd de Duiker, for the murder of two Freischöffen.( free born lay judges). Then contracts were also notarised here.
The oak was still relatively full of wood around 1750 but around 1800 the rotten heartwood was removed. Then in 1819 the late King Frederick William IV of Prussia ordered 36 infantry men to take up a position in the oak tree. Later, in 1851 the hollow of the oak tree had the Bishop of Münster dine at a round table with eleven clergyman.
Today, only fragments of the once mighty tree can be seen. The first beam to support it went up in the late 19th century, now it is held up by eleven wooden struts.
For about 250 years the tree has pulled back its crown to minimise the transport of water to the branches and sugars to the roots. Its crown is a healthy, thick green.
Its ancient bark, like elephant skin. It was good to stand in its presence.
Now for this modern park. Look at the sign and notice number one. This was for me the most innovative part of the garden. Why? Our changing climate needs to help people keep cool and this park has a constant flow of freezing water to walk in. It is so cold that you don’t linger and children while they choose to get more wet don’t play, it is that cold. The planting around it is in a sweeping curve symmetrical to the entrance and exit. A rusted metal holds this curve with plants that are hardy. The purple blue of salvia/woodland sage mixes with yarrow,and other contrasting leafy plants in the large container. Then purple grass rythmically spaces a leafy herb to edge a circular walk of big pebbles leading to smaller sharp pebbles to stimulate the circulation in one’s feet. Next to this walk through there are two basins to place your arms in. The water continually flows through the sinks from a tap keeping the water chilled. A noticeable pink rose with thick plantings of lavender, also dominate the outer surroundings of this central area.
Well organised area to keep people well.
The walk through, chilled water with bars to hold and a non-slip metal floor to aid walking. A place for all ages. The children in the day, the elderly and cyclists in the evening.
The rust against the green, then the pebbles and then to top it off the purples and white of salvia and yarrow with others. Textures to delight the eyes and to feel.
Such a pleasant experience.
While cycling through the woodlands and farmers’ fields of Münster I couldn’t help but notice waves of plastic covered heaped ground, and it wasn’t until I stopped that I noticed it was asparagus growing under the plastic.
For those who love food here is a delightful simple meal, from the farm to the plate.
Much appreciated!
Three different experiences, another day in our world.
Take care,
Sandy 🙂
Ps
The Katherine rose we bought at Wisely has bloomed. Thank you Eric for reminding us of home.
