Catch

Have not been keeping up posting the catch of the day. Anyway, so far, there has not been a big amount of bugs getting in. We are being careful with the lights at night.

Get thee to The Netherlands

We have been already twice to The Netherlands (Utrecht), and we have tried every possibility except flying. This is a short summary.

BY CAR

Well, ViaMichelin (or Google Maps) says that the trip takes less than 5 hours. Problem is, the construction sites between Lübeck and Hamburg (A20), which are taking forever, and the other very long construction site between Bremen and something else (A1). On a Friday, it took us 7 hours to reach Utrecht (this includes a small traffic jam around Bremen). On a Sunday, it was "only" 6 hours or so. Conclusion: driving to Utrecht sucks. Specially if you are the only driver.

It seems that the German ministry of something has information about construction sites. Considering how fast the work (and that you NEVER, ever see anybody working there during the week), I guess it will take them another 3 years to finish doing whatever it is they are doing.

BY BUS

Eurolines has a direct line between Hamburg and Utrecht. It is possible to start your trip with Eurolines in Lübeck (bus coming from Copenhaguen) and then change. It is a night bus that arrives pretty early to Utrecht. No idea how it works the other way around.

Overall impression... how much sleep you get depends on the others on the bus. Drivers... could hardly speak English, and seemed completely lost at a point. Bus started late from Hamburg, stopped in Bremen and some other place, and of course, a couple of stops in gas stations to stretch your legs.

Better than driving though. At least you can relax and sit back. This is the cheapest possibility of all. Trip takes around 7 hours.

There are also buses to Eindhoven and Amsterdam.

BY TRAIN

So far, this has been the most comfortable way to travel. We took a train (well, 4 of them) from Utrecht to Lübeck. Travel time was around 6 hours. You can relax, read, sleep, walk around, and whatever.

Deutsche Bahn has now these "Europa Spezial", and "Niederlanden Spezial" tickets. If you get lucky, you pay just 39 euros. If you get less lucky, you can still get a pretty decent price, and might even be cheaper than renting a car + gas.

Happy Birthday Passat

Passat is one of those old-timer boats, that is moved every once in a while from its docking place in Travemünde. It has celebrated its 100th year birthday this weekend. A lot of old-timers have come to Travemünde to celebrate, and a lot of sailor activities have been organised. We have been able to enjoy some sailor-singing, and free visits to most of the boats.

Giant wasps

As spring started, the insects started visiting. Two giant wasps entered the apartment. Was pretty scary. Do German wasps eat haxe?

Composting and miracles

As I was doing in Madrid, I was piling up organic waste in a fairly big flower pot (DJ Tiesto!) for composting. Half-way through the composting process, spring came, so I reused my half-rotten material to fill up some other flower pots (DJ Tiesto!). And lo! from pieces of marigolds, I have plants growing!? How strange it that?

Big heads

There is this thing some say, that Chinese kids have a big head. With all due respect, I think it is true.

Ref: Infants younger than six months old take part in a swimming contest in Beijing on Sept 12, 2010. [Cheng Gong / for China Daily]

Anyway, I found this pic really funny. I mean, how did we (the white) get the idea that the rubber ring (pool float) should go around the waist. What is more important, to keep your upper body afloat, or your head (specially, if it is a big one!) clear from the water?

What I can read from the red band, it says "here I come!"

Bruno Banani

Who ever heard of that brand? I just find it funny. Spanish-speaking people will understand why.

It smells like... shit

Is it going to rain?

Katrin once told me, that when it smells like shit, it means it is going to rain. Why? Because the farmers grab tons of manure,and spread it through the fields.The rain helps the manure-substance to reach deeper into the ground. It is Januay, it is -3C. Is it really going to rain? Tomorrow we will see.

To summarise: I live so near the fields, that I can smell the manure in the air.

Freezing in Friesland

BEAU-TI-FUL!!!!
For some obscure reason, fate led me to a webpage where I saw the ad for "Vogelkiek". A group of bird-watcher-freaks was heading to several spots in the Wattenmeer in search for the golden bird, or the white one... or any bird. Those flying creatures rest at the Wattenmeer on their way south. They will return next year in spring on their way north.

So I thought, perfect. All Wattenmeer tours (the Hallingen, the seals, the fishing...) in one. And cheap! So there we went, without any binoculars, fancy cameras, nor any valuable piece of optic on us. I did not even have glasses any more! This is, of course, no true. JL had a pair of very... vintage "parrot" binoculars.

The landscape was amazing, the temperature was low, the wind was strong, and the freaks were unrelenting in search of the bird of the day. Btw, the award was granted to a cute little yellow fellow, called the golden something.

So, everybody, check information on the Wattenmeer, and put it on your list when you come and visit. We will want to take you there.

Volkswagen sausage

Delicious with curry ketchup. You can even detect the subtle Wolfsburger-taste, car fumes, and a hint of tire dust. Really, they are "lecker".