Crossing the North Baltic Sea Canal
Day 4: Heligoland – Brunsbüttel, 9.5 hours, 55 nm, departure: 9:40am
Day 5: Brunsbüttel – Giselau Kanal, 4.5 hours, 40 nm, departure: 9:45am
Day 6: Giselau Kanal – Kiel, 8 hours, 60 nm, departure: 9:30am
Leaving Germany’s only offshore island Heligoland, we’re heading for Kiel. Given the roughly 100 km landmass between the west and the east coast of Germany, boats have two choices. Either making a detour of about 240 nm (440 km) passing the northern tip of Denmark, or crossing the NOK (Nord- Ostkanal or Kiel Kanal). Rather strong winds made us go for the latter. Read More
Norderney to Heligoland
Day 3, 12 hours, 54 nm, departure: 5am
We left the mildly interesting island of Norderney at 5 am, so we would have a better chance to get to Cuxhaven by the end of the day. We soon figured out that our plan was not realistic due to the lack of wind and unfavorable direction. So we changed the destination to Heligoland, a small island closer than Cuxhaven. In fact, every day, we make a plan and then end up changing it. This is part of the pleasures of sailing. Read More
Makkum to Norderney
Day 1 & 2, 22 hours, 116 nm, Departure: 9am
Sailing is driven by wind strength and direction, the state of the sea (i.e. waves, currents), the characteristics of the sailing boat and the crew. Shortly after my arrival, Marius and I sat down to discuss the options for the first day. We decided then to sail as much eastwards as possible because the forecast indicated rather strong winds, actually close to gale force, which often results in rough seas.
Our first intended destination was Borkum. But after only a couple of hours of efficient sailing under motor, we covered more miles and arrived in Norderney. It took a bit longer but brought us closer to the North Baltic Sea canal.
Gone Sailing
It’s been 4 years since I had the pleasure to sail the Mediterranean with Martin. After a surprisingly full flight to Amsterdam to a rather empty Amsterdam airport, a train, and a bus ride, I arrived at the final destination Makkum, in the north of Amsterdam, where Marius’ Maranea is docked and waiting to be sailed up north to Sweden. Read More
Adelboden Day 3 – Schwendfeldspitz 2025m
Schärmtanne 1483m – Schwandfeldspitz 2025m – Tschenten Alp 1950m – Hörnli Alpen Garten – Obere Hörnliweg – Schärmtanne
My third-day hike on another sunny day! Read More
Hiking in Adelboden Day 2 – Bütschi
Bergläger 1491m – Bütschi Wasserfall – Luegli 2138m – Hahnenmoos – Geils – Bergläger 1491m
Another sunny day and a blue sky!
Today’s hike is going up along the stream of Bütschi to Luegli. Adelboden is a popular skiing destination which in summer turns into a rather unscenic spot spoiled with ski lifts. But luckily the Bütschi streamside is rather unharmed and left me with the feeling of walking in remote mountains. Read More
Hiking in Adelboden Day 1
This is our second time in Adelboden. In 2017 I was on the Via Alpina route and Philippe joined me for Kandersteg to Adelboden hike.
The path from Kandersteg to Adelboden stayed vividly in my head. The steep, rocky Bunderchrinde pass was the scariest passage ever in my whole Via Alpina route. I wanted to head back, but I could come down to Adelboden with Philippe successfully. Read More
Zwillikon – Birmensdorf – Bremgarten – Oberfelden by bike
47km, 5hrs / Route 84 & 77 / Zwillikon – Birmensdorf (Biotop forest) – Oberwil-Lieli – Bremgarten – Rottenschwil – Merenschwand – Zwillikon Read More
Sometimes the magic is around the corner
A scenic bike tour around Mt. Rigi
Goldau – Immensee – Küssnacht – Greppen – Weggis – Vitznau – Brunnen – Lauerz – Goldau
52km, 3h30min
