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Slowly getting there

The first Cologne trading good I’m looking at is stoneware. It was produced in the wider area around Cologne from Raeren in Limburg down to Höhr-Grenzhausen in the Westerwald.

A hand-drawn map labeled Rheinisches Steinzeug features the Rhine various cities like Cologne and Siegburg, and dots marking locations such as Raeren, Frechen, and Höhr-Grenzhausen

The goods were traded from the Alter Markt in Cologne and went all over northern Europe and from The Netherlands and England to Africa, Indonesia, America (North and South) and to Australia.

Steinzeug

My first trip went to Frechen, though I have to go back as I managed to miss the kilns.

Stoneware from Frechen

A Bartmannskrug, a bearded ceramic jug, with intricate designs is displayed alongside other pottery on a glass shelf.

The next trip will then probably go to Siegburg.

#retirement #history #cologne #cycling #photography

Getting on

It’s been 6 weeks since starting the #pension #adventure

It still feels like an extended holiday. Which, as far as it goes is fine. BUT it also means that I’m mentally waiting to agree what to do today with E. which does not help with establishing new habits.

Here’s a short recap of what happened

clearing out the work flat

Done, was as much fun as it sounds like

vacation

We did spent a week of vacation on Walcheren, which was, as always, very nice and relaxing. Though because of weather the kites stayed in their bag.

cycling

September was not a good month, I was still working half of it and then we did clean out the flat.

Oktober is much better, I’ve done 375 km so far, and there is still a week (with a lot of rain forecasted) to go.

photography

Still getting to grips with the new camera. I’m quite happy with it. I’m now about 1800 pictures in and starting to appreciate the possibilities. Also I’ve started sorting through our photos and putting them into more of a system than one big bucket.

Still open to do’s:

  • Finish the organizing
  • Finish sorting into family photos and “good” photos
  • Start grading the “good” photos and distill what lessons there might lurk for future photos
  • Finish scanning the pre-digital photos. Both ours and the photos I inherited from my parents

local history, cycling and photography

The library membership was achieved, first books lended and almost finished. The books I took out look at Colognes early medieval and medieval history. I’ve also looked through a lot of online sources and am compiling a list of goods that were traded in Cologne.

This compilation has already given me some future cycling destinations, so the basic idea seems to work.

I also had some ideas on visualising the flow of goods and have recruited the daughter to help draw / map this.

other stuff

My plans for retirement also included

  • Learning the ukulele (pending)
  • Start archery (pending)
  • Start Tai Chi (pending)
  • Languages (pending)
  • Volunteering (pending)

But, other, useful stuff got done

We renovated the kids rooms and now we each have our own room to do stuff in without regard to the other. Which will be helpful, as, see above, I’m still feeling a bit like vacationing. I’ve also cooked a quite a few new dishes, some of which will go into rotation

Veere

Quick visit on the way home. Would warrant more time.

#Veere #photography #photo #travel

A church tower rises above brick rooftops under a clear blue sky.A sunlit street features historic European buildings with ornate facades and people walking nearby, casting long shadows on the cobblestone pavement.A quaint waterfront street features a row of traditional European buildings, trees with autumn foliage, parked cars, and boats docked along the water.A historic brick building with large arched windows is bordered by trees and a parked car along a cobblestone path.

Middelburg

The weekly market was held opposite the Stadhuis. Dried ginger was bought, coffee was had.

#Middleburg #photography #photo #travel

A narrow cobblestone street is lined with old brick buildings, featuring people walking and bicycles parked alongside.A bustling outdoor market is set up in a cobblestone square with people browsing stalls, bicycles parked along the side, and a historic building in the background.A bustling outdoor market is set up near a historic European building, with people shopping and vibrant stalls offering fruits and vegetables.A narrow cobblestone street is bordered by historic brick buildings with gabled roofs and shuttered windows.

Oostkapelle Strand

We‘ve been coming here for roughly 40 years, which seems bonkers. The mossels were excellent, as always.

A building with solar panels sits near a sandy path leading to a beach, accompanied by flags and grassy dunes. A serene beach scene features a sandy shoreline, gentle waves, and a cloudy sky with a distant horizon.

A bare, twisted tree branch extends over a grassy field under a partly cloudy sky.

#Oostkapelle #photography #photo #travel

Walking in Domburg

Domburg is continuing developing upmarket while retaining its charm and character.

The forecasted rain has not yet arrived

#Domburg #photography #photo #travel

A charming, tree-lined street features modern buildings with balconies on the left and a brick wall on the right, leading towards a distant view with pedestrians and bicycles.A beachside café with outdoor seating overlooks a sandy path, dunes, and a vast ocean under a partly cloudy sky.A sandy beach stretches towards buildings in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.A bustling street scene features people dining at an outdoor restaurant with vibrant red lighting while others walk by and trees line the sidewalk.

Walcheren achieved

After some adventures, we have finally achieved Walcheren.

We had a welcome drink in the Sun, then we went to the beach and had dinner in one of the Strand Pavillons.

#Domburg #photography #photo #travel

A vast sandy beach stretches into the distance under a dramatic, cloudy sky, with a few people walking along the shoreline and a ship on the horizon.A serene beach scene features a dramatic sky with clouds and sun rays peeking through at sunset.Weathered wooden groynes extend into the ocean from a sandy beach, with waves crashing against them.A serene beach scene features reflective wet sand, calm ocean waves, and dramatic clouds illuminated by soft sunlight.

New camera

For a while I lusted after a new camera, and now I have one. Just in time for my life as a hedonistic pensioner.

Am still getting used to the camera. But, so far I like it.

Here are some photos

View of the Middle Rhine, vineyards, castles, The Rhine, sunlight A scenic landscape features a river winding through green hills, with a castle visible in the distance.A white tower on an island in the river (Mäuseturm near Bingen and Rhine)A scenic landscape features a river winding through green hills.A historic stone tower with elaborate architectural features stands amidst a scenic landscape with green hills and fluffy clouds. St Martin, Oberwesel.

<Thorn-Roermond-Thorn 🚴‍♂️ 40 km>

Strange day, weather great, but I have a cold, so the plan was to find a pharmacy in Roermond and not cycle too much. Didn’t quite work out ;-)

#vacation #cycle