Die ersten Tage im Laster

We are slowly getting used to life in the truck. After over two weeks at the amazing Bibermühle, relaxation is slowly setting in. The weather is fantastic, we park in the shade and have the stream within reach. The dogs are exhausted in the evenings from all the dog encounters and swimming. We constantly rearrange the cabinets in the van, optimize things, and build new things. It is becoming more comfortable and cozy.

We now know almost the entire Blumenfeld and have nice chats with the locals and hotel staff every day. I will never forget the friendly Dutch woman Renate (the soul of the hotel). Her sweet Dutch accent has made a positive impression on my heart. We could be sisters. Together, we rescue the lonely young mourning swan Karl from the pond in the evenings and bring him to the stable. Unfortunately, his companion Lissy died a few days ago. We built her a Viking grave by the stream.

We receive fresh fruits, wine, and vegetables as gifts directly from Reichenau Island (thank you, Beate... what a joy). We will celebrate today by drinking the delicious Weißherbst wine. The appraiser has issued an excellent appraisal for our 'Hummel' today. The hard work of the past few months has paid off.

I take Kilian and the dogs with me to Hohenhewen. The trail is steeper than expected, but the view from the top is breathtaking, and both the dog and I are exhausted afterwards.

Our 'Hummel' is at the truck workshop in Singen for a service. Fluids are being replaced, and the chassis is being lubricated. One spare part is no longer available. We hope to get this and others at our first stop in Nuremberg with Walter.

We say goodbye to family and friends, and we receive great gifts like a new bedspread (a dream), pillows, guardian angels, and more. A few goodbye tears are shed. Take care, everyone. We will miss you, and you will always be in our hearts.

Thank you for everything.

Even a farewell ride is a must. Thank you, Ilka, for letting me ride your wonderful Sammy. I will also miss our great horse rides.

On September 6th, we leave our home territory and head towards Nuremberg. We have an appointment with the Kurzhauber expert Walter there and hope to get some spare parts.

After a short time on the road, it suddenly reappears. The familiar and long-missed feeling of freedom spreads, and even in traffic jams, I can't stop smiling. Now it finally begins. After months of hard work, we are now sitting in the truck, and the world is calling us. We can hear it loud and clear.

After spending the night at Kurzhauber expert Walter near Nuremberg, where our 'Hummel' was inspected, the brakes adjusted, and freewheel hubs installed, we start the engines again and head to the Swabian Alps to visit friends. Armed with repair knowledge and spare parts (yes Walter, I now have the confidence to adjust the clutch, grinning), we are back on the road.

For the first time, I'm behind the wheel, carefully maneuvering through the villages of the Alps. With sweaty hands at first, I slowly get used to it. I have to press the brakes with all my strength to bring our heavy 7.5-ton 'Hummel' to a stop. And I also need some time to get used to the extreme width (we need the entire width of the road). But after some time, Kilian also seems calmer next to me.

We arrive at Christine and Sara's place in Alpstadt-Tailfingen. A campsite sign shows us the way behind the house into their dream garden. The dogs are overjoyed, and Amy immediately catches a mouse. We look forward to seeing the two of them again. Sara, the carpenter, and her friend Bernie build a wooden cabinet for our luxury diesel stove, and Christine immediately starts sewing curtains for us. We do laundry, repair and optimize things in the truck, and continue to make our 'Hummel' more comfortable. We eat together and enjoy the relaxed time. There is a workshop here that reminds us of our former home. Kilian installs our diesel stove, and on a cool evening, we sit happily in front of the stove, enjoying the glass window and sweating in the 28°C heat in the truck.

Not only the dogs enjoy the days in such pleasant company. They get to dig and chase mice, swim in the pond, and bark at the neighbors. And we can repair, optimize, do laundry, and prepare in peace. But after three days, it is time to say goodbye. Farewell, Christine and Sara. Thank you for everything.

In Villingen-Schwenningen, we spend the night at the city's free parking area and visit the source of the Neckar River. An amazing wild moor awaits us. The setting sun sparkles on the water, herons are fishing, and the landscape reminds us a lot of Sweden. Even though we are only a few kilometers away from our home, a feeling of deceleration is growing stronger in us... and it feels better and better.

Our last stop in Germany is in the Black Forest at my mother's and her husband Fritz's vacation home in Wittenschwand. We spend a lovely day with good food and beautiful conversations. The next morning, it is time. In chilly temperatures of around 12 degrees and drizzling rain, we say goodbye to the two of them. Packed with gingerbread and mulled wine, it's time to say farewell for an indefinite period. Thank you both for all your help.

With a light-hearted feeling and loud music in our ears, we eagerly head towards Weil am Rhein, the French border. However, after a few kilometers, Kilian notices that the brakes are too heavy. He can barely slow down our 7.5-ton truck, especially on the curvy and steep downhill roads. As a precaution, we make an appointment with Mercedes-Benz in Weil am Rhein. The employee is very friendly, and we are allowed to come in right away.

The boss takes a test drive and quickly identifies the problem. The brake fluid is low! We had all the fluids replaced... except for the brake fluid! Mercedes then adjusts the brakes and handbrake and two hours later, 250 euros poorer, we finally start towards France in pouring rain. It is September 15th. In the afternoon, with a smile on our faces, we cross the French border. Goodbye Germany... world, here we come.