Category Archives: Travel

At the airport – second try

…and sucess !! I picked up Gui at around 11 in the morning and immediately afterwards went to IKEA and to the sports-shop (again). Then down the freeway towards the city centre to get two important but still missing pieces for our ship: the new liferaft and a replacement for our ancient refridgerator. Our old liferaft was only for coastal cruising and we missed the last inspection date (on purpose), so we replaced it with a new Zodiac 6-person raft for ocean passages. It comes with an additional ‘grab bag’ but nonethless we also have a watertight barrel that is filled with other important stuff. The old fridge is noisy and consumes 120W continuously so it has to be replaced by a more modern one. – This is a project for the coming days.

On the way back towards the south we picked up Oskar who was windsurfing near the beach. Unfortunately we were a little too late and could not see him jumping the waves… But there’s a nice youtube video if you’d like to see what windsurfing can look like.

We were back at the ship in the late afternoon where my parents spent the day with Viola, Bruno and Oscar. Together they collected more wood so we could have a nice bonfire on our last evening together.

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At the airport – first try

Today we were up to the north again to get Gui from the airport. Underway we payed a visit to the old home of Victor’s family which is a nice appartment near the beach and with ocean view. The town is really cosy and romantic, has it’s own small beach and is not yet to be found on any tourist maps. The kids were throwing stones into the ocean while the waves tried to get the kids wet in return.

North of Santa Cruz we spent the afternoon at the beach trying the new watersport gadgets (masks, snorkels, skimboard) while we let the time pass. I was at the boatshop to get my ordered parts and then – well then I got the call from Gui that the plane could not leave Buenos Aires and she’ll try to get on to another plane soon. Hmmm. Ok. Tomorrow we’ll give it another try.

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In the Loro Parque

Again park – but this time a full success ! In the north of Tenerife there’s a beautiful animal park that specialises on parrots and animals of the sea and since kids love animals more than most things we had an amazing day.

We spent the whole day in the park and also watched the shows of the Dolphins, Orcas and sea lions which were quite good.

On the other side – I can’t wait to see many of those animals in their natural habitat (no, not the sharks and orcas !) After the park we were at Dekathlon (a big shop for sport stuff) and got snorkeling equipment. Hehehe.

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The Oasis of Lanzarote

As we haven’t seen much of Lanzarote, we went on a little trip together with Markus and Hille. We explored the island in the rental car and were amazed by the beauty of the harsh volcanic landscape. The whole island is quite dry and when sailing past it’s coast we were astonished that someone would even want to live there. But during winter when a little rain falls, the volcanoes are covered with flowers and grass and everything is green. I would so much like to see that. But by then we’ll probably be on our way to the (green) carribean. ;-) There’s also wineyards on the slopes of that volcanoes and they don’t even need to be watered artificially, they live on the moisture of the evening damp.

So we were driving with the car around the island and I have to say: it’s really one of the best things to happen to this island that the architect Cesar Manrique persuaded the government to disallow the construction of high buildings and the ban of billboards. So you only see nice little villages with white, cubic buildings. And I guess – hundreds – of roundabouts with flowers and cacti.

The destination of our cruise was Puerto del Carmen, where we were invited by Heidi und Udo – friends of Markus. And so it happened that when the sun set we found ourselves in a beautiful green oasis in the midst of black volcano slopes. The garden – which consists of hundreds of plants, a playground, small guesthouses, a pool and much more is setup like a labyrinth with little caves and walls made of volcanic stone. One is surprised that it took (only) 16 years of work to build that wonderful place with it’s many little details and I won’t even start about the house itself or the music-cave or the appartments. It’s just amazing. So after an extended tour through the garden of eden we’ve had barbequeue, endless chats – and for the kids a box of Lego. Truly a perfect last evening on Lanzarote !

To see more pictures (or make a reservation for an apartment), please have a look at the website of Heidi and Udo !

Posted in LosLocos, Pics, Rancho Relaxo, Travel | 1 Comment

Weary legs

After two days of indoor service, we’ve finally seen some sunrays through the window and went outside to take the bus to Santiago de Compostela.

Having arrived, one thing immediately strikes the eye: About 50% of the people roaming these ancient streets have sore feet and either ski poles or long wooden sticks in their hand. Ah ! Claro – the crusaders ! (Or something similar…) Anyway. We immediately went into that famous big church and made many pictures of important historical figures, when Bruno, wo always has to explain everything whishpers into Viola’s ear: ‘You know – this once was a big circus !’ It was quite hard to retain the composure after that. My personal highlight: You know that little candles that you can inflame – a very romantic gesture to lost friends or family. Well those candles are ELECTRIC here and they switch on for a few hours when you put a coin in a box. See – the church is modern after all. Hehehe.

If we’re going touristic, we do it 100% so we hop onto one of those little trains and chug for an hour through that old city. There are maaaany orthopaedists here. Ah – I’ve already mentioned the thing with the sore feet… After a little break with some Jamón, Queso and cerveza, we miss the second to last bus towards the coast and have to run to catch the very last one. So in the end, we also got our part of hot feet.

Today I’m happy about the maaaany emails from family, friends and also some (until now) unknown blog-readers. That’s something that is really motivating: To get some comments and emails now and then. Otherwise one really get’s the feeling of writing the blog for oneself – despite the statistics telling a different thing.

And now we go (in that order) for a shower, shopping, picking up or new main sail and finally anchor-up. Where we go ? We don’t know exactly. But the next planned stop will be at the Islas Cies just outside Vigo. Internet access we’ll probably have again in Portugal… Sounds like few serene days are ahead.

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Field day in Brixham

Too much wind to sail against it, we spend a surprisingly warm day in Brixham. We climb through a replica of the famous ‘Golden Hind’ – the ship in which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the world in 1577 – 1580. Amazing for me is that (a) this ship with it’s really tall body and small masts actually sails and (b) how they managed to fit more than 70 people into it. Really impressive. – And I’m actually really into that early journeys as I’m right now reading ‘James Cook – the journals’. An amazing book, although for non seagoing readers it might be a bit boring because of it’s lenghty descriptions of maneuvers, winds, etc.
Where was I – ah yeah, oru field day. After roaming the streets of Brixham for a little while, we decided to go to Berry Head where there is a little lighthous and a great view. So we spent the afternoon walking through beautiful woods and along the coast. Wonderful !

In the following picture you can see our next destination – Spain (veeeery far in the background). Hehehehe.

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In Bruges

Today we used for a little excursion via bike. – And I CAN tell you: in Bruges it’s really as nice as people always say. Yes. Although the hordes of tourists and myriads of shops make it feel a little stressful after all those days out on the sea (ha, ha). But THE FOOD ! Waaaah ! Mussels in Beer sauce and Mousse de chocolate and Beer and Wind and…. Uuuuh ! I think I’d like to stay.

Also we should use the beach-tramway for a trip along the coast. It goes all the way from the Netherlands down to France and connects all those cities along the sea. For only 5 Euros one can go and hop on and off as one likes.  – Could – as we will actually put to sea again tomorrow. It will be the last day with a suitable wind and we want to use it for our leg towards Dunkerque in France. From there we’ll cross towards England. An although the trip will be short – roughly 35 seamiles – plenty of shallows and the tide will make it interesting enough.

Also we’ll use the stopover in France to replentish our stores with beautiful french wine, cheese and lots of other goodies. You know – we’ll soon enter the culinary desert and although I’ll survive on Guinnes and baked beans, my family has to bring something so stay alive. Hehehe.

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In Berlin: Sunday to Tuesday

Huh. Only two more days left to learn for the Amateur Radio License !!! The exam will be on monday at 09:00h in Berlin. Which means that I’ll be travelling to our ex-home-city on sunday evening.

So if someone wants to meet up with me: Call me on my mobile, I’ll be free on monday afternoon ’til late night as I’ll stay until tuesday. – And it doesn’t matter how the exam turns out: I’ll have lots of beer. Hehehehe.

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Tonsils, horses and wind

Thanks to the nice drawings from Bruno and Viola and to you who wrote so many nice Emails to Gui, she’s feeling really better and will be ‘home’ tomorrow in the morning ! Yippiiee !!
One important fact: Gui’s telephone is dead ! If you want to phone us, please use my number. You can see it in the ‘Contact’ details – but only if you’re registered of course.
Well – and here they are: Gui’s Tonsils, her menueplan and Brunos drawing (showing our ship, ambulance and hospital well – and the TV-tower of Berlin ;-).

After our daily visit to the hospital, we went for a stroll with Viola’s beloved Ponies and watched the wind gusts drive the sand of the beach through the air.

In the last pic you can see our current home: the harbour of Glowe. It’s nice here ! – Really. The beach is beautiful and at least 10km long ! Although it’s a bit windy these days.

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Last visit to Austria

I just wanted to post a couple of pics from our last visit to BEAUTIFUL Austria (two weeks ago). The pics show us hiking unfar my partent’s home in Timelkam.

Posted in Kids, LosLocos, Pics, Travel | 1 Comment

R.I.P. “la Machina” 1969 – 2011

In just about three weeks time we would have sold our beloved oldtimer – ‘la Machina’. But somehow I had this feeling that our 42 year old car would not go that easy. Well, yesterday when we drove back from our final visit in Austria, about half way it happened. We were just overtaking a big truck when the driver of the same made an emergency maneuver – switched lines and jumped on the brakes. So we landed in between the truck and the crash barrier. Where the left front tire was torn and the right side of the car was battered by the bumper of the truck that screeched along our car.

We found ourselves with crying kids and a wrecked car in the middle of nowhere… But the kids soon calmed themselves and the police and the tow truck soon arrived. The situation was resolved as this: In front of the truck was another truck and in front of that was an Audi Q7 that was somehow pissed off by that truck driver so he cut in front of it and slowed him down. The truck behind the Q7 was only going about 40km/h (!!) while the second truck (the one in front of us) arrived with 85km/h and had to switch lanes and jump on the brakes and that was when we got crushed…

But in the end nobody was hurt – the car is still somewhere in south Germany and we arrived in Berlin at about four in the morning – driving a new Mini Cooper. The driver of the Audi Q7 actually escaped – but the police is searching for him.

Bye, bye Machina – we had a lot of fun together. Have a good time in car-heaven – you’ve deserved it !!

Posted in LosLocos, Pics, Retro, Travel | 3 Comments

Back from Argentina

One busy week ago, I came back from my last holiday. Three weeks in Argentina, while Gui, Bruno and Viola will stay there until the end of February. The last winter, the last holiday, the last stupid security check at airports…

Well, we had the most wonderful time in Argentina. Nice meat, saucages, cheese from the Barrilla, many hours in the pool, lots of nature and silence. Beautiful nights with a sky full of starts. During the day Campari Soda, building an Arcade Joystick for Gioco, Building little ships out of bamboo, etc.

Now that I’m back in Berlin and alone (until now), I’ll fokus on getting back into the Amateur Radio materials, reading some more books and updating this website. Some pics – the rest will be in the Gallery soon:

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Sailing during the wintertime

So what am I supposed to write about when Berlin is like frozen hell, lakes are covered with ice and the air is -18C ?

Well, we’re still doing preparations. I’m on the way of getting my Amateur Radio License and when I’m not reading sailing books, I try to improve the webpage or we’re doing journey planning. Speaking of. Here’s a temporary link to our planned route. Later on I’ll link the finished page somewhere on the top of our site here. Beware: all dates and coordinates are still subject to change and of course, everything more than one year ahead is pure speculation… And as I’ve said before: Maybe we don’t have the guts to sail through the Gulf of Biscay, we’re back in Berlin before the year ends… ;-)

Oh and btw: A happy new year to all readers !

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On to the Wannsee

On Saturday we finally said ciao to our friendly neighbours at the local sailing club of the Wannseeaten 1911 and went for a two hour trip through Spandau to the Wannsee in the south west of Berlin. Here our Rancho Relaxo of the Seas will stay on land during the winter.

The trip was short and without any events – it’s actually just around 3-4 miles, with one lock underway. The best part was after arrival at the Marina Lanke, sitting in the cockpit with candle light and Rum while listening to Robert’s crazy stories about trips with his Alpha or tall ships going through the North Sea and the Atlantic. Whew !! I wish, we could have sit there the whole night. But in the end it was getting a little chilly…

WolfgangRobert

Ah ! – And to settle a bet: Kevin Costner’s ship in Waterworld was a Trimaran. Sorry, Wolfgang. ;-)

Trimaran from Waterworld

Posted in Pics, Rancho Relaxo, Sailing, Travel | 2 Comments

From the Hanseboot

Well, the Hanseboot… Before I went, I didn’t really know what to do there – and yet, somehow it was fun. I once again met with Silke and Dieter, who will start their journey with Tamora around the same time, we’re planning to. We always have a lot to discuss – Watermaker, Solar Panels, what courses to take during the last months… I hope we’ll meet many people as warmhearted and helpful !

Together with Michael I was strolling the exhibition halls talking to sailmakers and looking at shiny new boats.

What else ? There wasn’t much. See for yourself ! ;-)

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Tomorrow @ Hanseboot, Hamburg

Right now there isn’t much to write about sailing. – The Rancho Relaxo is parked in Berlin and I didn’t yet have any time to start working on her. – So I’ll spend my time at the Hanseboot to look for new ways to decrease our budget ! ;-)

Honestly I don’t really know what to do there. But maybe, I’ll meet some interesting people ? Who knows. I’m gonna post, if I find something interesting…

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Und weiter gehts nach…. ?

Tja, eigentlich wollte ich ja mal unsere Binnenfahrt nach Berlin etwas eingehender beleuchten, doch treibt mich eigentlich schon die naechste Etappe. Naechste Etappe ? Ja, in Berlin werden wir wohl nicht bleiben (koennen). Der Liegeplatz bei den Wannseaten 1911 ist zwar sehr nett und auch relativ zentral, aber wir benoetigen einen Platz in einer Halle, damit wir im Winter richtig schoen an der Rancho Relaxo schrauben koennen. So wie es sich bisher darstellt, sind die Liegeplaetze in Berlin unbezahlbar und die Werften ebenso. Laut Empfehlung soll die Werft ‘Malz’ im Norden von Berlin, unweit von Oranienburg ganz gut sein. Na auf jeden Fall werden dort saemtliche Boote von Polizei und Zoll, etc. gewartet. Ich werd’ am Montag mal dort nachfragen. Wenn’s wahr wird, werden wir also schon naechste Woche wieder zurueck fahren, von wo wir herkamen. Heh.

So und nun noch ein paar weitere Bilder unserer Kanalfahrt am letzten Wochenende:

In Stettin, Vorbereitungen zum MastlegenAuf der Westoder, Docklands…Stettin, von der Westoder aus gesehenIn Oderberg im Schlick eingeparkt

Rein ins HebewerkRrrrein in di Reuse !Nach oben geht’sFahrstuhl fuer Schiffe….

Immer geradeaus, dann links.Viola, entspannt…Spass bei der ewig langen MotorfahrtEndlich in Berlin

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Huh !?! – Sind wir etwa schon in Berlin ?

Fuer alle etwas ueberraschend haben wir das Wochenende um einen Tag verlaengert und sind dafuer – TADAAAA !! – in Berlin gelandet. Die genaue Position sieht man wie immer rechts oben via Googlemaps – mit den live updates waehrend der Fahrt hat es leider nicht so gut geklappt – da hab ich was am Server verbastelt…

Eigentlich bin ich zu muede um noch viel zu schreiben, aber ich wollte das nur mal eben verkuenden.

Wir sind also von Stettin am Sonntag los und ueber Schwedt die Westoder hoch, dann den Oder-Havel Kanal nach Oderberg, wo wir im Schlick bei ca. 1.40m Wassertiefe ‘geparkt’ und uebernachtet haben. Wir haben im uebrigen ca. 1.70m Tiefgang, eher mehr. ;-) Am Montag weiter durch das sensationelle Schiffshebewerk in Niederfinow und ueber Eberswalde, Oranienbug nach Berlin, wo wir bei einem Seglerverein Unterschlupf gefunden haben und nun ein Winterlager suchen werden. Noch schnell ein paar Fotos. Spaeter schreibe ich mehr…

Mastlegen in StettinAuf der Westoder kurz nach StettinMorgensonneVor dem Schiffshebewerk Niederfinow

Im SchiffshebewerkSpiele waehrend der FahrtViola unter der SprayhoodSchleuse Lehnitz bei Oranienburg

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Erste Etappe nach Berlin

Und nun, wie versprochen, die fehlenden Fotos von unserem lustigen Wochenende mit Wolfgang, Tala und Jan als Crew auf der Rancho Relaxo.

Die Reise beginnt Freitag Abends nach einer abenteuerlichen Zug- und Taxifahrt nach Ueckermuende. Abenteuerlich insofern, als:

  1. Die S-Bahn mal wieder nicht faehrt und wir in letzter Minute, voll bepackt ein Taxi zum Bhf. Gesundbrunnen nehmen muessen
  2. Es nicht moeglich ist am Bahnsteig ein Ticket zu einem vernuenftigen Preis zu erstehen
  3. Dies auch IM Zug nicht moeglich ist und wir dann (offiziell !) gratis bis Pasewalk mitfahren duerfen
  4. Der Zug Verspaetung hat und wir somit unseren Anschluss nach Ueckermuende verpassen
  5. Sich das Grossraumtaxi nach Ueckermuende letzten Endes billiger als der Zug rausstellt

Hehehe. Tja. Reisen mit der Bahn ist selbst (oder gerade) in Deutschland eben auch ein Abenteuer.

Irgendwann kommen wir dann also doch an, bringen die Kinder ins Bett, noch ein Bierchen trinken und fallen in die Kojen.

Am Samstag zuerst mal etwas Enttaeuschung, da kein Wind vorhanden und Ueckermuende unter einer Nebeldecke begraben ist. Als wir dann aber endlich doch fertig zum Ablegen sind, lichtet sich auch der Nebel und so koennen wir (mit dem Schiff) in die Stadt zum Einkaufen fahren. Erst um 14h geht’s dann wirklich los und irgendwie ist’s wohl auch gut, dass wir so getroedelt hatten, denn nun haben wir auch Wind zum Segeln. Schwubbs warn wir schon draussen am Haff und fahren im Zickzack durch die recht hinterlistig aufgestellten Stellnetze in Richtung Oder-Muendung.

Auf der UeckerDer Berliner Baer freut sich auf’s nach Hause kommenMuede von der ReiseGrosse Fruehstuecksrunde

Die Nacht von Samstag auf Sonntag verbringen wir in der netten Marina Ziegenort. Am Sonntag geht’s dann weiter die Oder hoch nach Stettin. Am Anfang noch unter Segeln, spaeter schlaeft dann der Wind ein und wir starten den alten Benz, der uns bei T-Shirt Wetter die Oder raufschiebt. Die Flusslandschaft ist wunderschoen ! Stettin selbst besteht leider zu 90% aus Hafen und geschmacklosen Nachkriegs-Bauwerken. Irgendwo verstecken sich auch vereinzelt ein paar nette Haeuser im Zentrum, doch der Grossteil der Stadt ist nicht sehr schmuck. Die Aussicht ueber die Flusslandschaft geniesst man am besten aus der Mastspitze. ;-)

Zweites Fruehstueck ?Schoenstes Herbstwetter auf der OderTolle Aussicht - von ganz oben.Kraene und Kaehne in Stettin

Weil das Wetter mitmacht und wir’s noch nicht so eilig hatten, machten wir noch eine kleine Runde bis zur Bruecke, wo wir dann mit Mast nicht mehr weiterkommen. Als Liegeplatz haben wir dann die Marina Goclaw ausgewaehlt. Nix los, ein netter Hafenmeister empfaengt uns (‘Alles keeein Problem !’). Wir haben ein nettes Abendessen, klaren das Schiff auf und machen uns via Strassenbahn und Zug auf, zurueck nach Berlin. Hier kommt nochmals eine kleine Absurditaet der Bahn zum vorschein: Das Ticket fuer 5 Erwachsene Personen nach Berlin kostet uns 20 (!!) Euro. Pro Person also schlappe 4. – Das Strassenbahnticket, um dann von Berlin Alexanderplatz nach Hause zu kommen kostet mit 2,10 E mehr als die Haelfte. Das macht Sinn, oder ?!?

Port Stettin mit Supertramp !Picknick in der Marina GoclawDavid: Oh, Bruno macht ein Foto. Schoen laecheln… HeheheheIn der Strassenbahn Linie 6

Zusammengefasst: Es war eine der lustigsten Fahrten mit der RR. So schade, dass wir nur ein WE unterwegs waren. Mit dieser Crew waere ich sehr gerne eine Woche oder laenger gesegelt !

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Gemuetlich segeln durch’s Stettiner Haff (mit Video)

Vergangenes Wochenende waren wir mit Tala, Wolfgang, Jan und der Rancho Relaxo unterwegs auf dem Stettiner Haff. Zwischenziel: Stettin in Polen. Das war ein verdammt lustiges Wochenende. Eine etwas laengere Beschreibung mit Fotos folgt spaeter. Erst mal ein kurzes Video mit Wolfgang am Steuer, Tala an der Gitarre und Jan im Cockpit liegend ;-)

Biddesehr:

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