Day 6 - Universal Circus Renz

Best laid plans, and all that jazz....

We'd thought to pack a picnic, have a leisurely ride in the park and then go to the circus. Instead, it was breakfast, clean up and head out to the train with some snacks and the tickets!

The online booking meant we didn't have to stand in line for tickets and our seats were pretty good. Unfortunately, the Ringmaster (Mr. Renz, also owner/manger) said No, no, no! No pictures, no videos, nowhere, no time.

So I took notes to remember it all so we could talk about it later! And we did.  The poodles were a favorite along with the "African Boys" (men, they were and of course the title for that act would never fly in the US!) who went up and down a pole in amazing and amusing ways - unbelievably strong, they were!  Here's a video if you want to see them in another setting. 

And the magician and the lady in her ever-changing outfit was jaw-dropping as well.  Really, every time I looked at Hunter and Hannah their mouths were open!

The low point was not finding the yummy sour worms they'd eaten last year at Circus Belly.  Not bad for a low point.

Horses, elephants, tigers, camels, llamas, clowns,

Day 5 - National Windmill Day

           What are we doing tomorrow, Meemaw?
           Well, it's the bikes again.  Do you want the city or the country?
           The country!
           OK.  Country it is.

Get up late.  Eat Breakfast (pancakes, home-made cherry sauce for Werner and me, all the usual syrups for the kids).  Clean up.  Make blueberry cake with Hannah (YUM!!).  Make sandwiches  (PBJ, ham, turkey).  Pack everything.  HEAD OUT!  Good grief, it's already 1:30.

Since it was National Mill Day, we tried to find a windmill to visit.  There are of course water mills as well, but I really like the windmills.  We opted for Aschwarden, not too far from here.

From Vegesack (1), we took the train to Farge (2) , so it was only about 12 kilometers ONE  WAY to Aschwarden (3) on the bikes, add a few for little detours.....

We went by the old submarine bunker that's now a national historical site and along the dikes.  We talked to the sheep but they didn't seem too interested in talking back to us.

After lunch on the dike we went down to the windmill and were lucky enough to get there just in time for the lecture.  With a bit of translation here and there, we all learned about how the sacks of wheat and rye were hauled up to the grinder and how the wings were set.  The wind was strong enough to move the wings and we saw how the vents were set to make them turn.  Werner and Hunter even made them stop!!!  Really, the mill had slowed enough that they could stop it. But, no surprise, they couldn't start it again.  Wind power beats manpower every time.

After all that, we went up on the dike to look around and take some more pictures. 

Day 4 - Pfingsten

Hunter is still working on his German, but he hasn't got to this word yet - but it's Pentacost.  A holiday here and for good measure, Monday is a holiday as well.

We're still getting our legs I think, so nothing dramatic today.  Hannah tried out her ankle on the bike and declared it good enough for a little ride, so after breakfast (boiled eggs, sliced ham, strawberries, croissants, toast, cinnamon sugar, jam, cheese, candles - we didn't eat those) we headed out.  We hit the Schloß Schönebeck where they convinced me to wait on the 18th C Embroidery and Needlework exhibit, found the bumpy road to the river and the old playground, an ice cream stand, and thank goodness a Biergarten!  There had been music earlier, but we were happy with our Bratwurst and fried potato wedges - and Bier for the grownups.

Day 3 - Visit with Amina

We grandly thought we'd combine a trip to Amina's with a visit to the fantastic world of the miniature railroads in Hamburg, but of course that didn't happen.  Later with the railroad - today it was market and craft store and Amina.  That's good for one day.

Hannah and I were in charge of market and there was more than usual to buy since Monday is a holiday and the stores will be closed.  I have a grave and likely misplaced fear of running out of food!  We did a great job of course and piled up strawberries and zucchini enough.  Sunday will tell if the zucchini was enough :)

Hunter and Werner were off to the craft store since Werner nixed the beginning of his collage, the paints not doing as he liked.  So he bought something else that isn't doing as he likes.  Oh well.

Then to Amina's and the boring drive made much easier by sleeping along the way!

Another year makes yet more difference - they were much quicker to find ways to communicate and the trampoline helped too.

Unfortunately, Hannah twisted her ankle again!  But it will be better soon - even without crutches.

Dinner helped too - steak and ribs with a potato gratin they both wolfed down.  We brought home the leftovers.  There, less food to worry about!

Day 2 - Town Day

It took a while to get going today but then we made it into town.  The train is still a little thrill and fun to ride.

What did we do?  Bratwurst.  Oh, I said that yesterday, but I have to say it again since we ate it again.  And fries, because they are so good here.  And a look at Roland and the town square and some shops and some ice cream.  The obligatory pose with the Town Musicians.

And a ride home that lasted just long enough to get in a little nap.  This picture is not posed - I woke up in time to take it!

At home, Hunter went to kick the ball around the soccer field with Werner while Hannah helped get dinner ready and though we tried really hard to get to bed before 10, we didn't quite make it.  Tomorrow we won't either, that's for sure, since we'll be heading over to see Amina.  Oh well, it IS vacation!

We're Here!

 
Departure:  On Time.

Arrival:  On Time.

But "On Time" was still a very long time.  Hunter + Hannah finally fell asleep on the flight from Amsterdam to Bremen and then again on the drive from Bremen to Vegesack.

 After dinner and an early to-bed, I washed out Hunter's suitcase and a few of the clothes that got oooooozed by his shampoo.  I can tell you that the suitcase smells very good now.

 

Since yesterday was Wednesday, today was Thursday - a perfect beginning to our German Adventure 2011 because Thursday is Market Day.  Fresh air and fresh temperatures!   Hunter's shampoo-soaked sweatshirt wasn't dry so he borrowed one of Werner's (not as overly big as you'd think!).  We stocked up on fresh things, greeted our old market friends Herr Meyer and the Schmidt's and then headed home.

And of course they were hungry - even though Hunter had eaten a Bratwurst - the first of many I am sure - and Hannah had a fish patty.  So, I fixed Graubrot.  Really?  It's rye bread (without the caraway seeds) and it was a big hit.  With butter for Hannah, with turkey for Hunter.

 A trip to the supermarket, a game or two of Boggle,

a look at Larson

and the start of our collage.  I know, it's just a canvas now, but stay tuned.  It will blossom under the hands of our resident Artist.

Hey - It's Another Circus!

The Circus will be in town from June 9th to June 19th. 

It's the CIRCUS UNIVERSAL RENZ  and their  web site looks pretty good. It's certainly bigger than the one we saw before:  there's an elephant and a tiger and the ever present camels (what's with camels at circuses?)  They have their tents set up near the train station downtown.

If you're interested, just say "Circus!"