The Wangermeer

End of a beautiful journey

The alarm clock sheep took a break and sent their feathered friends to the sleeping dyke. Their shift to wake me up began at around 5:00 a.m. It sounded much nicer than the bleating of the sheep. But getting back to sleep was more important.

The last day should be rain-free until the afternoon; that was the theory. So we got the bikes ready and off we went. Our destination was the WANGERMEER, which is actually a lake near Hohenkirchen.

The day started dry and quite windy. It wasn't too bad, cyclists can cope with that. The cycle path was really well signposted, running between fields, meadows, small and large farms. In some places it was still paved with cobblestones, which were obviously not as bike-friendly as the asphalt road due to heavy machinery driving on it. Fortunately, the asphalt road was much longer.

In Hohenkirchen, the church of St. Sixtus and Sinicius stands on two mounds, and has done so since 1143. Mounds are settlement mounds made of earth that protect people and animals from storm surges. In the cemetery there are a few "talking" gravestones that tell something about the deceased resting here. Incidentally, there are gravestones on many of Germany's islands. The bell tower stands a little way off, with no connection to the nave, and houses three bells. The complex is very well maintained and it is worth taking a break here.
The journey continued to the WANGERMEER. Somehow a very contradictory place: on the one hand, pure nature, ducks, geese and coots swam along the reeds and offered a sight of peace and relaxation.

Then the impressive bridge and on the other side a holiday home development with several new houses, almost all of which were uninhabited, as the lowered shutters revealed. Despite this, other houses were still under construction. There is probably not much sense of peace and relaxation if tourists want to live there in large numbers. To my relief, I could not see any jetties for motorboats or the like. Perhaps this has contributed to nature conservation after all? Would be nice.

Then we continued over this rather high bridge towards Carolinensiel. Following the signposted cycle path, it got really windy behind the dyke. We reached the town without any electric support. And we didn't get caught in a rain shower. A quick stop for espresso, coffee and cake.

Refreshed, I put my shoes back on and headed to Harlesiel harbor. The memorial had not been a destination until now because I didn't know it. The names of those who have made their final journey at sea are listed here. There is also a small bell that can be rung if someone wants to remember the deceased. Heaven made the decision for me - to look at it or not - and the forecasted downpour started. Luckily it was only brief; nothing stood in the way of a relaxed last walk along the harbor back to the last fish meal of this vacation. And then I played another round of Port Royal and fell asleep relaxed as the winner.

Here ends a journey into the past in combination with family, friendship and many new impressions.

See you soon!