The beauty of a morning walk in a sleepy village on the island.
The Volvo is 25 years old and lacks all the electronic gadgets of modern cars. About two years after I bought the car, the Volvo dealer contacted me for the first time to remind me that it was time to sell it and buy a new one. He tried a few more times, and in each letter, he reminded me it was the ideal time to sell. But I liked the Volvo, never showed much interest in cars, and after a few more tries, he gave up.
When I moved to Stockholm in late 2015, I thought for the first time about selling it and buying a new Volvo in the brand's home country Sweden. But the garage owner estimated its value at only 500 euros. So I kept it and enjoyed the car during long trips between Sweden and the Netherlands.
On that route, my favorite part was Denmark. The way through Sweden was six or seven hours of the same view: trees and lakes, followed by more trees and lakes. I never like driving in Germany, too fast and dangerous. But Denmark, in the middle between these two countries, was lovely. The landscapes, historic towns and villages, the architecture of the houses and farms, the rolling hills, and the stunning shades of green that seems to be patented by the Danes. I remember a stopover in Copenhagen where I slept in a hostel with bunk beds and found out the following day that my car slept in a more expensive garage than where I slept.
In 2020 the Volvo stayed behind in the Netherlands since I needed an all-wheel drive in the winter conditions of Ottawa. So when I recently returned to the Netherlands for work meetings and winter holidays, I picked up the car on the island to drive to Germany. It wasn't easy to start the motor, but the more I used it, the better the battery worked again. Finally, however, yesterday, the battery gave up. Luckily there was help; I started the car and drove it to the garage. So my day started this morning by returning the car I got on loan and walking back home. And that is the end of a long introduction to share these four photos.
It was only a short early morning walk through my peaceful village. So these are some impressions of my route back home. Hardly anybody seemed to be up yet; only two cyclists passed, two kids were on horseback, and a man fed his horses. Later today, there will be a small wave of tourists coming in for Christmas. The quiet types, the nature lovers, I know the winter guests as the ones that walk on the beach and don't party or sleep there.
So this is how my day started.
Now, I am drinking my first coffee. Then, I will write the last article in the series of seven on wastewater management challenges in different regions worldwide that you may have followed in this newsletter.
I wish you all beautiful days with friends and family. Thank you for all your support!
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Thank you for sharing this, these personal thoughts and reflections. Of all your many styles of writing, this is my favorite.
Being back on your enchanting island brings out the true writer in you and you create lovely, soulful journals that are irresistible to the reader.
Every word was a pure pleasure to absorb and the beguiling photos are captivating glimpses into your charming island life.
This made my day.
And I dread the day you must part with the Volvo.
Thank you for your constant sharing and enthusiasm. Always cherish the memories and unravel the paths to a better world. Days of peace and joy for you, Alexander.