Virus. Heat. War. Inflation. Energy crisis.

Oh dear. Summer is ending. Fall will be here soon. And winter. And usually this is a time to be looking forward to… but this year it’s a rather depressing forecast: the risk of an increased amount of Covid cases. The Ukrainian war is ongoing and no end in sight. And the beginning of our energy crisis (increased prices or limited availability for groceries, gas, electricity, oil, etc.). Puh. That’s a lot to handle!

Time to get creative! Here some examples:

Somehow it’s amusing to see how the government is acting and reacting to the latest shortage of energy. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good! But it feels a little ironic: starting to save energy and to reduce the risk of a shortage now, while most private households and persons have been focusing on saving energy for many years: only use light in a room when someone needs it (basics, right?). Using LED lights since the last bulb was produced (routine, right?)… not maxing out the heaters in the apartment in winter (the wonderful woolen jumper wants to be worn!). All of a sudden those things can be done for public locations, too. Yeah!

As long as we get our energy from fossil resources… we should use it responsible & wisely.

For some of us those new saving energy & resources mean the end of the world. Not sure why. You get the feeling that “only” 25C degrees room temperature and a full city light show is a sign of our rich live rather than a waste of energy. Definitely something to think about…

I am pretty sure we’ll have one or two tight, tough and rough winters… but do not worry: we’ll come stronger out of this crisis with a much more diverse and creative landscape of new energy resources. I learnt from my job: people (and especially managers) only start acting when there is a crisis. Here we go! The show must go on. Get creative. Enjoy the snuggle in the nice and soft woolen jumper and blanket! Candle light instead of LED (it’s also more romantic and finally I have an official reason to by more candles. Yeah!).

It’s time to do things different! Time to think different! It will be different but don’t worry! We’ll be alright! Until then… enjoy that common bath with your neighbor! 🎉

Maybe living for the next 6 months on the Canary Islands could be the solution? I’m ready, let’s go!

Wow, what a summer. Bryan Adams keeps spinning in my head…

Is there anything better than preparing a dinner with fresh ingredients from your own garden? And share dinner with friends? (No, it’s the best).

Never enjoyed rain more than this summer.

Today is already the beginning of the meteorological autumn. And hubby’s birthday!

I wish we start after August back in June.

The German 9€ public transportation ticket – a success story: 52 million 9€ tickets were sold in the past 3 months (leading to a saving of around 1,8 million barrel of CO2). Wow! And the best part: I was part of it (8 bus & 2 metro rides rather taking the car). Yeah!

I used the 9€ ticket in August mainly for taking the bus (or the metro) to work. And boy, there were some interesting, funny people along those bus rides: teenagers too cool to wear the mandatory mask vs. older people who still don’t know how to cover mouth & NOSE with a mask! The bus driver who brakes so hard that even seated people had difficulties to cope with that. The loud chatting people having 2 seats inbetween them – hey, I have an idea, why don’t you sit next to each other? The ones talking (yes, there’s still people out there who use their smartphone to call someone!) on the phone (I know everything about last night now). 2 young ladies carrying a Blackforest Gateau and the older man trying to get a piece (not successful when they left with a whole cake after 20minutes). And finally there’s me, trying out the 9€ ticket with my pink mask. On time to not miss the bus and entering a stop ahead to catch a seat (hubby shared his tricks). Lol.

I loved it! It’s handy. I got a lot more steps into my day! It was a very relaxed way to and back from work (A/C included!). It was a very good price (and makes the delay of the train rather acceptable than being annoyed).

The new problem: I now love using it and the 9€ ticket stops at the end of the month (August). Bummer. Let’s see if they’ll come up with something else interesting.

I was really motivated, yeah, even proud to go by public transportation (reducing my CO2 footprint and everything…), until I met a colleague the other day. She and her family (2 little kids) topped everything: they sold their one and only family car! I am vowed (and don’t feel as proud anymore…).

Well, we „only“ own a van, 2 Minis, and 4 motorcycles (including one crashed and the other one half build).

The competition is on! Pro and cons in discussions with hubby. Let’s see what’s going to happen next 🪄

2 days by bus to go 💪🏻

Back „home“ in the Ariège. It is as beautiful as always here.

What a wonderful week in France. The country is so diverse. So beautiful. So delicious. The only thing we won’t miss: those millions of roundabouts… lol!

On the to do list: learn how to speak (tourist) French.

I’m sure we’ll be back soon!

Au revoir!

Moving on to the Pyrenees… always wanted to be here. Now we are. Wow! What a place!

Wow! Wow! Wow! The landscape is impressive. And we are in the middle of it.

The Pyrenees Mountain Range stretches 450km between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

How are the Pyrenees like? Remote. Mountainous. And much more beautiful than I ever expected.

50km in 3hours. Winding & curvy endless roads. Open windows. Wind in our hair. Wild horses along the way. And cows. And bicycles. It’s gorgeous!

Fresh apricots, peaches and tomatoes, later vineyards again. It’s beautiful.

From sleeping with open doors & windows to almost putting the heater on (if it would work…). We are feeling cold here. Morning temperature 9C degrees. Brrrrr. Time to move on towards the sea again.

Yes, This is still part of the Pyrenees, the Catalan Pyrenees.

A very delicious lunch in Collioure.

Staying a little longer in the south of France, moving on to the Ariege.

The best part about van life: you can stop anywhere. We woke up in a vineyard. We stayed next to cows somewhere in the Alsace the night before. And last night we (well… I…) wished to stay next to the beach. Lucky us, we got the last available spot (shower inclusive. Yeah!).

The summer 2022 is hot. We passed a village with its forest on fire… Luckily rain is in the forecast.

The Alsace was wonderful. Our road trip continues south. Crossing the French Vosges. Gorgeous!

7pm: arrived. A dip into the Mediterranean Sea after an all day drive. I have been waiting for that. Wow! Enjoying the cool wet. Salt on the skin.

Moules & Frites for dinner. A glass of Rosé. Pure French happiness.

Sleeping 20 meters from the beach. Falling asleep listening to the sound of the ocean. Bonne Nuit!

7am: Almost alone at the beach & a morning swim. Oh, I am loving it.

Bed on board. It’s been a while that we have been using our van for a road trip… all arms and knees are fixed again… On the Road again & along the way discovering beautiful things: it’s all about wine.

Where the Blackforest kisses the Alsace. A perfect place to stay for an evening and the night.

Magnificent!

Crossing the border: Bonjour, France!

Cruising along the “La Route des Vins d’Alsace”. The area, a wonderful blend of French & German culture: colorful, half-timbered buildings line cobblestoned streets, flower bouquets. It’s gorgeous. Adding in fresh baguette, Pana chocolate and café au lait… Bon Voyage 👋

It’s the season and it seems that blackberries love to grow in our garden… we again have so many wonderful delicious tasting blackberries.

It’s the summer of blackberry jam, blackberry tiramisu, blackberry muffins, vanilla ice-cream and blackberries, and bowls full of wonderful ripe blackberries crossing the street to our neighbors… it’s all about blackberries these days.

And the best: they don’t need much, just happily growing next to lavender and roses. Bees, wasps and other insects had a blast.

June, July & August – the 9€ ticket made it already to its final month: Germany has been slashing public transit by 90% to encourage people to ditch their cars and save energy amid high gas prices. Nice idea. Saving money & the environment.

I finally got myself a 9€ ticket for August. My goal: take the bus to work.

August 1st: purchased ticket

August 2nd: made already full use of ticket, savings included (2 times return to Stuttgart has paid it already).

Taking the bus to work and having a wee nap while being transported is handy.

Retired people have been keen on city hopping. Punks have been traveling to Sylt for fun (thanks to the Bild Zeitung).

I am wondering, what if we like it and the 9€ ticket is not going to be extended…?!

Anyhow, I got inspired and traveling by night trains in Europe seem to become fashionable (again). We have great memories about sleeping trains in China. Let’s see what’s next…

Oh and then I remembered again why I don’t agree that public transportation (in Stuttgart) is convenient: road work leading to a 2km walk(!) around. High heels – better not if you want to catch a train on time… delays, of course. Or how about the pigeon enjoying too much sitting on the train power lines and causing not fast fixable trouble… oh dear! 9€ ticket… and I still like my car a lot: for the convenience, the flexibility, A/C these days (not being surrounded by people who haven’t heard about deodorant…) and good looking shoes. And last but not least: job security, right? What if we all stop driving cars… well, the month has just started, let’s see if I can change my mind…

Love is…

…when he lets you chose from the menu first and he takes something else.

…he’s awaiting your opinion on his beer.

…he’s having me the “nicer” looking espresso (with better crema).

…enjoying traffic jam with hubby & Charlie.

…when he brings espresso to my home office desk. Every day! (Maybe that’s why I don’t want to go back to the office)

…when he’s cooking for me.

…when he follows my travel ideas without questioning.

…listening to the Beatles record together.

…him choosing orange cake as a starter right before lunch.

…celebrating 13 years of being together!

Happy 8th anniversary!

To many many many more years together!