Already it is late July and we are weeks into summer. Our summer started late here in Berlin. School was not out until early July so our adventures began soon after that.
Next week we all plan to do a bike trip. Essentially, we'll ride from Berlin to Copenhagen, Denmark. Or, we'll do as much of it as we can. (We hope we can get at least as far as the Bering Sea if not into Denmark a bit.) It's almost entirely flat and mostly rural and there are great bike trails most of the way. We'll travel light, only two panniers apiece. No camping gear. I bought a new bike for my birthday, a "Berliner Rad" set up for touring but with a relaxed frame and interesting gearing---24 gears with eight gears in the back, but no triple crank. Instead, they are housed inside the rear wheel somehow. Lights front and back are required here and mine turn on and off automatically in the dark. Anyway, the trip is basically my idea, inspired, I think by how much I love my new bike and honestly I am tired of sight seeing!
When we return, Tom starts school and Greta and I will head to Greece for some sun and warm water. We have an apartment in Corfu for 7 days.
I love returning to Berlin with its bike lanes, abundant fruit and flower stands, green spaces, lakes and of course the city itself. One more year to go..and I am still loving the life here.
Greta arrived the end of June. Originally we planned a month long trip to Turkey which we had to cancel. Instead, we decided to stay closer to home.
Our first expedition was to Eisenach, Germany. Despite the rain and cold weather we managed to explore the birthplace of Bach and exiled hangout of Martin Luther. Actually he (Martin Luther) was in exile in the castle, which we man
aged to hike up to.
Our first expedition was to Eisenach, Germany. Despite the rain and cold weather we managed to explore the birthplace of Bach and exiled hangout of Martin Luther. Actually he (Martin Luther) was in exile in the castle, which we man
aged to hike up to. 
A few days after we returned from Eisenach we flew to Scotland. We headed straight for the village of Dingwall where our friend, Waggy, lives. Tom and Waggy were friends in Holland and even rode their bikes from our home in Sittard to 
London. (where Waggy then ran the London Marathon)
It was wonderful spending time in the village of Dingwall and seeing the sights with Waggy as a tour guide. Pictures of the highland games, hikes, Edinburgh and the village of Dingwall are on www.rybusfamily.shutterfly.com
London. (where Waggy then ran the London Marathon)It was wonderful spending time in the village of Dingwall and seeing the sights with Waggy as a tour guide. Pictures of the highland games, hikes, Edinburgh and the village of Dingwall are on www.rybusfamily.shutterfly.com
The day after we returned from Scotland, Tom checked him self into the Emil Behriing Krankenhaus (literally, sickhouse) for two procedures, the first the esophagal one to see if there were any blood clots in the heart and the second the zapping itself. Both done back to back with him "out" for both. When he woke up he could see the heart monitor and could tell his heart rhythm was normal and pulse down to 42. Nice way to wake up. Also, he only spent one night and had one meal in the hospital. Frankly, even after a run the next day, it was hard to tell if there was any "before" and "after" difference, so he walked down to our nearby train station and walked up the steps from the tracks to the station. Then, he knew. Before, he’d have been out of breath. No more.
Next week we all plan to do a bike trip. Essentially, we'll ride from Berlin to Copenhagen, Denmark. Or, we'll do as much of it as we can. (We hope we can get at least as far as the Bering Sea if not into Denmark a bit.) It's almost entirely flat and mostly rural and there are great bike trails most of the way. We'll travel light, only two panniers apiece. No camping gear. I bought a new bike for my birthday, a "Berliner Rad" set up for touring but with a relaxed frame and interesting gearing---24 gears with eight gears in the back, but no triple crank. Instead, they are housed inside the rear wheel somehow. Lights front and back are required here and mine turn on and off automatically in the dark. Anyway, the trip is basically my idea, inspired, I think by how much I love my new bike and honestly I am tired of sight seeing!
When we return, Tom starts school and Greta and I will head to Greece for some sun and warm water. We have an apartment in Corfu for 7 days.I love returning to Berlin with its bike lanes, abundant fruit and flower stands, green spaces, lakes and of course the city itself. One more year to go..and I am still loving the life here.
