Sunday, March 24, 2013

Springtime in Germany

We haven't made any posts since Fasnet and now it is almost Easter! I must have unwittingly given up blogging for Lent.

We have been enjoying the lengthening of the days. Joe tells me that the day length changes the most around the equinox and the least at the solstice. It's been noticeable, and such a great reward for our patience with German winters.

When we moved to Poltringen (almost a year ago!) I rode my bike to and from work every day. Then in November I had to start taking the train when the snow came. It has been a very snowy winter here. I wouldn't say our accumulation is significant, but we've just had a lot of snowy days this year. Generally I am okay with this. However, I stopped buying a monthly train ticket in March, planning to ride my bike every day again to train for our Big Bike Trip (details shortly). But continued snow into March snowy days have interfered with that plan, and I've hopped the train several days this month.

Nevertheless, we are on track to leave for our Big Bike Trip on Easter morning. We'll ride for 9 days, about 80 km a day, from Ulm to Vienna. We are riding along the Danube River. Downhill and with the wind! It is a well-trodden German bike touring route, but we are a bit outside of peak season. This is why the snow is so troubling. I hope Old Man Winter get's it out of his system before we depart!

Giant flakes fall in March 23. View from our balcony.