Mallorca

We returned to Mallorca and are settled in our usual winter quarters now. Just in time too, as rising Covid rates have resulted in regional and national lockdowns across Europe, some with curfews. Sitting in the sun on the patio should allow us to weather this comfortably. Unfortunately, it looks like we will not have any visitors for the foreseeable future.

Armsheim

We came south again as Sheila has an appointment for follow up in Frankfurt. We are staying in a small village in the Rhenish-Hessian Hills, close to Mainz. Today we enjoyed a sunny morning and hiked for a couple of hours through vinyards and woodlands showing beautiful fall colours. Due to rising Covid infection numbers we have reduced social contacts very much, but visited my parents yesterday (sitting outside with masks on).

Hamburg

We are spending a few days in Hamburg and visited the beach in Altona today. Nice sand, but the weather prevented any Caribbean feelings.

East Frisia

We headed north and are spending a good week in East Frisia. The apartment we rent is in an old ferry house (renovated), and quite isolated. The ferry is hand operated by the user, carries people and bicycles across a small tidal canal in front of the house.

Handoperated bicycle ferry at our current residence

We are exploring the surrounding area and spent a nice day today on the island Norderney. The weather is cool, but today was sunny and I walked about 12km while Sheila was exploring the town of Norderney.

Along the North beach of Norderney

Lunch in a “Strandkorb” (beach chairs) after playing tourist

Freiburg

This week we are spending time in Freiburg, enjoying the car free inner city and excursions into the neighbouring areas. Yesterday we went into the Black Forest for a short hike and a long lunch. The weather was windy, cold and wet.

Black Forest on a cold day (and not a cake in sight)

Today the weather was much improved and we went to the Kaiserstuhl for a nice hike (and another lunch, this time outside in the sun). On the hike we passed an old castle that sits on a Roman fort built to defend the much fought over border between Romans and Alemanni in the third and fourth century AD.

Burkheim in the Kaiserstuhl

Burg Sponeck

Bad Vilbel

We are spending a few days in a nice apartment in Bad Vilbel close to Frankfurt. Sheila underwent some neck surgery in Frankfurt two days ago, it all went well and she is back in our place now. There are some nice walks to do here and a couple of good restaurants. Unfortunately, the weather turned rather cool and grey, real autumn.