Constant rain instead of "quietly falling snow", floods instead of a white Christmas - the capricious climate in Germany does not stop at religious festivals. Only the mallards seem to be happy about this, as they have finally conquered the cycle path along the Rhine promenade in Königswinter by swimming.
From Blankenberg Castle, the lake landscape created by the Sieg flood looks very impressive. But as the flow of the Bröl into the Sieg has increased dramatically, you can already hear the pumps trying to empty the cellars that are full of water.
It's becoming increasingly difficult to get into the annual Christmas spirit - especially for those who, instead of singing Christmas carols at the decorated Christmas tree, wade through the mud in their cellars in rubber boots.
