05.06.2022 Sunday (2nd day)

The 1st day of vacation in Utersum

After a cozy breakfast, 'the crazy Ladies' as we now call ourselves, went to the beach first. It is within walking distance, but we drove there by car to explore our island afterwards.

The path led only over a dune and then we were amazed when a rush of water spouted from a thick pipe at the edge of the shore. They called it a flushing field, and in this way, sand was flushed from the sea to replenish the beach and give it back what the sea had taken from it. This method is said to be considerably more successful than anything tried before.

But of course, the sea was even more impressive. It is always so beautiful to see, smell, and hear the sea. To feel the soft, warm sand and absorb the peace of uniformity and calm. It was low tide, and I waded through the tidal channels and took photos while Gabi and Gisela waited on the beach. I managed to convince them to sit down because both were afraid they wouldn't be able to get up again. I sat down with them for a while. The sun was hot, and the water slowly rose. But then we relieved poor, sweaty Ayko and made our way back to the car to explore Utersum and the neighboring villages.

The island is 12 kilometers long and 7 kilometers wide and consists of Geest (higher-lying, sandy, and less fertile land with sandy deposits from the Ice Age) and Marsch (humus-rich, nutrient-rich soil enriched with shell limestone). There is only one city on the island called Wyk and 16 villages.

Utersum was first mentioned in 1360. The village actually has a grocery store. In the past, the village lived off agriculture and from the 19th century on, whaling off Greenland. On the way to the next village, the small streets, the wide fields, and pastures impressed us. I especially love the sheep because I once had two bottle-fed lambs, and I think back to my Rosi and Putti with a little nostalgia. They were so sweet and affectionate.

But of course, we also saw many cows and horses. The island just slows you down. The trees along the roadside grow bent by the wind, old farms and houses with thatched roofs stand by the roads, and we definitely found a gas station.

In Nieblum, we took a coffee break in a tea room. The farmhouse café offered homemade cakes. We ordered a cheesecake with meringue and poppy seeds. I can only say: The best cake in the world! It was delicious! We will definitely come back here. We got into a conversation with a couple at the neighboring table, and to my amazement, I heard that they were from Lüdenscheid and had been living on the island for 1.5 years. They recommended some interesting destinations to us, and since we couldn't remember everything, I took out my notebook, and they willingly wrote down their suggestions. Not that the 14 days wouldn't be enough, because I absolutely have to go home after 14 days because I have a really important appointment.

As always, the atmosphere between us was fantastic. We teased each other, and Gisela complained about something: 'I'll tell my mother everything. - I want to be carried.' I thought I had misunderstood and laughed: 'What did you say?' I had heard it right, and we laughed again.

After we actually discovered a tea barn that was open, Gabi and I sniffed through the abundant tea selection. Strawberry - cream tea. Simply delicious, and we had to take it with us. Then we went through the fields and little streets back to our vacation home.

After a short break, it was storytime. For a long time, the book 'In a Coma' by Joy Fielding had been unread on Gisela's shelf, and if we manage to read 40 pages every day, we will finish the book. Gisela actually loves reading, but since she can rarely keep her eyes open, she unfortunately can't read anymore. Since I also find this author very exciting, it's a win-win situation. With a few cigarette breaks, we reached our goal sitting in the sun on our terrace, although I stopped for a moment because Gisela had simply fallen asleep. Was it due to the novel or to the reading skills?

We now prepared for dinner. When Gisela was on the somewhat inconvenient staircase, a Labrador stormed out of the other vacation home. Gisela froze and clung to the railing. I stood in front of her and Gabi behind her and shielded her, as the 'huge black dog', as Gisela later put it, rushed past us to go outside. She is already afraid of dogs, and if he had jumped at her, it would have been unfavorable just before the curve in the stairs. But: It turned out to be fine. Gisela had been so happy just before our trip because she said while going up: 'I have my eyes open.' But they had already closed again. After the successful moment, now this experience, it was just a shame.

We drove around aimlessly, again on the little streets, through villages, but we couldn't find a restaurant. Shortly before Wyk, we finally found a restaurant called 'Störtebecker'. So we parked the car, got out, and hungrily stormed into the restaurant, which turned out to be a organic pizzeria. But the pizza made from spelt flour was really delicious.

In front of the restaurant, there was a 'ride-sharing bench'. An explanatory sign was there, and our assumption was correct. You were supposed to sit on the bench and wait for someone to stop to pick up a passenger. Great idea, and I jokingly said: 'If you want to go home again, I'll put you on the bench next time.' Gisela replied: 'We'll try it out and take turns sitting there. We'll definitely sit there forever.'

Then we went back home, and I started working on the blog. Gabi and Gisela played 'Ludo' while I wrote and had a really long phone conversation. Both of them went to bed while I continued writing, but now I will also lie down. It was a beautiful day that has now come to an end. It's 12:05 am!