Happy August!

Happy August to all my Friends and Readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch
"Morgens am Leuchtturm von Warnemünde"
"Morning at the Warnemünde Lighthouse"

Frank says to this picture:

"The Warnemünde Lighthouse, with its teapot, is the most striking landmark in Warnemünde. Whether you're walking along the promenade, taking a stroll along the beach, watching ships at sunset from the piers, or even returning from a trip on the Baltic Sea, the lighthouse dominates the skyline of the Baltic Sea resort." (The "teapot" has three hyperbolic paraboloid shells as a roof.)
"Der Leuchtturm Warnemünde mit dem Teepott ist das markanteste Wahrzeichen in Warnemünde. Egal ob man auf der Promenade unterwegs ist, einen Strandspaziergang in Warnemünde macht, abends auf Molen bei Sonnenuntergang Schiffe schaut oder gar von einer Ausfahrt auf die Ostsee zurückkommt, der Leuchtturm prägt die Silhouette des Ostseebades."

I believe everyone knows in the meantime how much I love lighthouses and windmills. It was a childhood dream to live in one of these. Sometimes it's good that dreams don't come true as I can't climb stairs anymore.

Funnily enough, one of our other calendars in the house shows a picture of the same lighthouse. With the teapot.

Read more on their website here. *

* * *

We had some meetings with friends, some restaurant visits and also two game nights. Plus a weekend visit by a lovely cousin with whom we visited the Industrial Museum in our Town (see below).

But one of the highlights of the month was the visit to an Irish-Scottish folk festival The main singer at the time was Paul Watchorn (Wikipedia), younger brother of Patsy Watchorn from the Dubliners. Paul is now with the Dublin Legends. In addition to many newer songs, which were also very good, he played a lot of well-known songs, such as Molly Malone, Rattlin' Bog, Seven Drunken Nights, Oró, Sé Do Bheatha 'Bhaile (although my favorite version is still the one by the Chieftains with Sting). The funny thing is, hubby met him at the bar and had a little chat. After his performance, he came to our table, just by coincidence. It's always great to talk to the artists.

* * *

As it's summertime and a lot of people go to the beach, my German saying this month is

"Wie Sand am Meer" (Like Sand on the Seashore).

As you certainly can imagine, it means countless, abundant, plentiful. A lot. A lot a lot. You cannot count it.

* * * 

My Jane Austen read (see #Reading Austen project) this month was "Emma". Not one of her most popular books. Jane Austen said herself that she was "... going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like." 

Another book I enjoyed was "Leave it to Psmith" by P.G. Wodehouse. This author is always a safe bet if you need a break from more serious writing.

* * *

Getting back to the Industrial Museum, as promised. Our little town has a lot of industry. It developed from making the first quills from geese feathers (that animal is also the symbol of our town) in 1801 to being one of the largest plastic processing sites today.

But I think the exhibition most interesting to young people nowadays is the school. I used to go to just such a school and we had the exact same writing slates and a crocheted cleaning cloth. When I told some American friends about it years ago, they were really astonished. I am sure all young people will be surprised nowadays.

* * *

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *

☀️🌾 I wish you all a very Happy August! 🌻🌽

Happy April!

Happy April to all my Friends and Readers

New Calendar picture with this

beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Osterküken"

"Easter Chicks"

Frank says to this picture:

"Osterküken gehören wie die Hasen und die Lämmer zu den beliebtesten Symbolen für das Osterfest. Einmal sind sie seit vielen Jahrhunderten Symbole des Frühlings und Fruchtbarkeit."

"Like bunnies and lambs, Easter chicks are among the most popular symbols of Easter. They have been symbols of spring and fertility for many centuries."

Definitely a good picture for Easter. My parents used to raise chickens and I loved it when we had new chicks. They were so soft and fluffy. Good memories.

Read more on their website here. *

* * *

Spring definitely has sprung in our part of the world. Far too early. But it gave us the chance to visit our youngest son in Brussels. The town was so beautiful at this time of year. 

We had the chance to visit the European Parliament. And here is a picture from the outside.

* * * 

My favourite book of the month was "The Figurine" by Victoria Hislop. I have only just finished it and will review it soon. Only so much, if you like Victoria Hislop, this is one of her greatest books, for sure. And if you don't know her, it's time you did.

* * *

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *

☔ I wish you all a Happy April ☔

Happy February!

Happy February to all my Friends and Readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Schneemann bauen im Park"

"Winter Flowers"

Frank says to this picture:

"... there are fewer and fewer days on which such a winter dream really comes true. The question keeps coming up: When will it really be winter again?"

"… es gibt immer weniger Tage, an denen so ein Wintertraum wirklich in Erfüllung geht. Immer wieder stellt sich die Frage: Wann wird es wieder richtig Winter?"

Read more on their website here. *

* * *

I remember a German song from the Seventies: "When will it be a real summer again?" And that summer was scorching hot. So, who knows what Frank's wish will bring us. Though, we haven't had a real winter here for ages.

* * *

Which reminds me of a good joke:
What do you call a very old snowman?

Puddle

* * *

January is supposed to be the longest month of all. I mean, we have seven months with 31 days, so December, for example, ought to be as long as January. It just seems shorter because there is so much going on and we all try to be ready for Christmas and then we feel the month is over before it has even begun.

* * *

This month, I have two German words/expressions for you. 

"Morgenmuffel" and "bis in die Puppen".

If you stay up "until the dolls" (bis in die Puppen, i.e. you don't go to bad early), you will certainly become a "Morgenmuffel" which means you are grumpy in the morning. However, if you are like me, you can be a Morgenmuffel any day, no matter when you went to bed the night before.

* * *

And here is a great Christmas present I received from one of my sons: Hitster. We played it several times already and love it. You have to guess songs and where they fit in the timeline. If you like music and games, check the link here.

* * *

 

My favourite book of last month was 
Tartt, Donna "The Secret History" - 1992

* * *

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *

🌼 I wish you all a Happy February 🌼

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all my friends and readers

New Calendar picture with this

beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Segelschiffe der Hanse Sail bei Sonnenuntergang"

"Sailing ships of the Hanse Sail at sunset"

Hanka and Frank say to this picture:
Die Hanse Sail ist das größte maritime Event an der Ostseeküsten Mecklenburg – Vorpommerns. Jahr für Jahr kommen Anfang August bis zu 150 Boote und Schiffe nach Rostock und Warnemünde.

The Hanse Sail is the largest maritime event on the Baltic coast of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Every year, up to 150 boats and ships come to Rostock and Warnemünde at the beginning of August.s.
(see here)

Enjoy this great watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch!

Read more on their website here. *
 

 * * * 

2024 was not such a great year for my family. Lots of illnesses. My brother was diagnosed with a brain tumour and already had three surgeries. My 42 year old nephew had a heart attack. And we are all getting older and have our little and larger ailments.

And worldwide there were only bad news everywhere, wars, elections with bad outcomes, natural disasters.

* * * 

It's tough to choose my absolute favourite book of the year, so I will present the first one of the year that I put on the list:
Kingsolver, Barbara "Demon Copperhead" - 2022

 (Watch this blog for the complete list.)

* * * 

So, everyone, let's hope for a great 2025. I wish you all the best!

* * * 

 

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *
🎉 I wish you all a Happy New Year! 🎉

Happy December!

Happy December to all my Friends and Readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Wenn der Schlitten kaputt ist - Weihnachtsmann an der Ostsee"

"When the sled is broken - Santa Claus at the Baltic Sea"

Frank says to this picture:

"In the harbour of Althagen, in a landscape of snow, ice and sunshine, there was a bright red coastal fisherman's boat. When I started thinking about a motif for a Christmas watercolor, I converted the fisherman's boat into a boat for Santa Claus and that's how my watercolour came about."

"Im Hafen von Althagen lag in einer Landschaft mit Schnee, Eis und Sonnenschein ein knallrotes Boot der Küstenfischer. Als ich dann begann, über ein Motiv für ein Weihnachtsaquarell nachzudenken, funktionierte ich dann das Boot der Fischer in ein Boot für den Weihnachtsmann um und so ist mein Aquarell entstanden."

Read more on their website here. *

It's nice to think about Father Christmas coming by boat. In the Netherlands, that's exactly how the story goes, he comes by boat from Spain on St. Nicholas' Eve (though a little posher than this one). Mind you, he looks a little more like a bishop, as he did everywhere when I was little.

* * *

We had some nice days in November but also some not so nice ones, as usual in this month. Some days were pretty grey but I like the calmness this part of autumn brings.

Probably not the highlight of the month, but certainly a great day was our annual charity week in the Industrial Museum in our town. They sell each donated book for €1, children's books for €0,50. So, I got myself a nice stash of classics and some newer ones.

* * * 

Did you know that Germany has a lot of different names in different languages?

Well, first of all, Germans call it Deutschland from the Old High German diutisc, Dutch Duitsland, Scandinavians Tyskland.

The Romanic languages call it Allemagne in French or Alemania in Spanish, from the Alamanni tribe that settled in today's Alsace, parts of Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland, and hence they were the neighbours of those regions.

In Italy it is known as Germania from the Latin Germania (where also the English word comes from), it describes fertile land for farming behind the Limes (the Roman border defence in Germany).

In Polish it is called Niemcy from the Protoslavic nemets for meaning "mute, unable to speak" but also foreigner/stranger.

In Finnish and Estonian they call it Saksa and Saksamaa respectively from the name of the Saxon tribe. 

And there's a reason, of course, why we have all these different names. Germany as one country has only existed since the 1866 when Prussia and other northern and central German states created the North German Confederation, which was the forerunner to the German Empire. Before, the neighbouring country just called the people by the state they belonged to then.

 

* * *

We had two book club meetings this month, one at the beginning, one at the end. And we read two lovely books, the first one was a re-read for me:

Ivey, Eowyn "To The Bright Edge of the World" - 2016

 and the second one was a German book that hasn't been translated, unfortunately:
Knöppler, Florian "Kronsnest" - Kronsnest [Name of Village] - 2020

 

My favourite book last month was "Stone in a Landslide" by Maria Barbal i Farré.

* * *

The old German words for December are
Julmond, Heilmond, Christmond, or Dustermond.

Jul is the old-Germanic celebration of the winter solstice, also known as Yule.

Heil is healing, so the healing moon who gives us time to relax.

Christ should be self-explanatory.

Duster means dark, unfriendly. There is also a word "zappenduster" which I explained in August 2022.

* * *

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *

🎄 I wish you all a Happy December 🎄
🎄 and a Merry Christmas! 🎄

Happy September!

Happy September to all my Friends and Readers

New Calendar picture with this

beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Kraniche und Rehe auf den Wiesen"

"Cranes and Deer in the Meadows"

Frank says to this picture:

"It is always exciting to be out and about with the cranes in the meadows and fields in autumn. With a little luck you can see deer and stags among the cranes, as they use the same meadows and fields in search of food."

"Es ist immer wieder spannend, im Herbst gemeinsam mit den Kranichen auf den Wiesen und Feldern unterwegs zu sein. Mit ein wenig Glück kann man Rehe und Hirsche unter den Kranichen beobachten, denn sie nutzen die gleichen Wiesen und Feldern auf der Suche nach Futter."

Read more on their website here. *

* * *

August was almost as bad as July, it only got a little cooler towards the end, though it was still far too hot for me. I am so looking forward to autumn, my favourite season.

* * * 

Have you ever tried to improve something but then it was worse in the end. Well, we have a word for that in German:

Verschlimmbessern

which you can translate more or less into "worsenbettering".

Of course, there is an official version for it, the Cobra Effect, also a "perverse incentive" which according to Wikipedia is "an incentive that has an unintended and undesirable result that is contrary to the intentions of its designers". 

 

 * * *

 My favourite book last month was "To Look Out the Window/Pieces from the View: Life, Streets, Literature" by Orhan Pamuk.

 * * *
 

Due to the weather, we didn't do much last month, but on the very last day, we managed go attend a kite festival. It was not too hot but also not too windy whcih was sad for some kite flyers because theirs wouldn't take off. But we managed to see a few lovely ones. Here is a small collage.

 * * *

The old German word for September is Scheiding, Holzmond or Herbstmond. 

Herbst is the German word for autumn which explains the origin of the name. Holz means wood and people started cutting wood for the winter. Scheiding is separation and September separates summer and autumn.

 

* * *

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *

🍂🍂 I wish you all a Happy September! 🍂🍂

Happy July!

  Happy July to all my friends and readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch
"Sommerwiese mit Mohnblüten"
"Summer Meadow with Poppies"

Frank says to this picture:
"Poppy watercolours are a delight at any time of year. In September, most of the poppy flowers have already faded, but here and there you can still find poppy flowers on the edges of fields or in meadows."

"Mohnaquarelle begeistern zu jeder Jahreszeit. Im September sind die meisten Mohnblüten bereits verblüht, aber hier und da findet in Randlagen noch Mohnblüten an den Feldrändern oder auf den Wiesen."

Read more on their website here. *

* * *

June was an awful month for many, we had heavy rainfalls in Germany and a lot of areas were flooded. Not ours, but we know quite a few people who had to experience damages to their houses. In the meantime, it has become far too hot for my liking. And no, I am not one of those people who complain about the cold in winter and the heat in summer. I always say, in winter, I can dress accordingly, put on more clothes and I'm fine. In summer, that does not help.

I hope the last of the climate change deniers has woken up in the meantime but I doubt it.
 
 * * *

 My favourite book last month was "10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World" by Elif Şafak. It was a sad subject but great writing.

 * * *
 

We had a family celebration down in Southern Germany and they served one of my favourite side dishes: Spätzle (Wikipedia).

 * * *

The old German word for July is Heuert or Heumond. 

They used to start mowing the hay this month. Another word is Honigmond, which simply translated into honeymoon as a lot of weddings would take place in summer and people then went for a honeymoon. But the meaning of the "hay moon" is a lot older, of course.

 

* * *

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *

😎 I wish you all a Happy July! 😎

Happy May!

  Happy May to all my friends and readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Frühling an der Steilküste von Klein Zicker"
"Spring on the Cliffs in Klein Zicker"

Frank says to this picture:
"It's always exciting to paint landscapes on the Baltic Sea in plein air, to feel the wind and the sun on your skin and to experience how the Baltic Sea waves crash onto the beach."
"Es ist immer wieder spannend Landschaften an der Ostsee plein air zu malen, den Wind und die Sonne auf der Haut zu spüren und zu erleben, wie die Ostseewellen an den Strand laufen."

Read more on their website here. *

* * *

There is a German folk song called "Der Mai ist gekommen". (May has arrived/come.) It tells us more or less to not stay at home with worries because the treses are budding and the world is wonderful.

If you are interested, here is the song on Wikipedia.

 

And most Germans take that song to heart and go on a "Maitour", a walk or a bike tour on the first of May which also happens to be a bank holiday. Tag der Arbeit = Labour Day.

 
 * * *

We had an early excursion, we went to Bremerhaven with my brothers and their wives. We try to do a siblings outing once a year and have seen many interesting places so far. Here is a picture:

Bremerhaven is not too far from us. It is located at the Weser estuary and belongs to the city-state of Bremen. With 115,000 inhabitants it is only #69 of the largest cities in Germany but it is one of the busiest ports in the country.

* * *

The old German word for May is Winnemond. "Winne" was the name given to driving the cattle out to pasture.

* * *

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *

🌳🌳 I wish you all a Happy May!🌳🌳

Happy February!

   Happy February to all my friends and readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Frühlingsbeginn"
"Beginning of Spring"

Frank says to this picture:
Zum Frühlingsanfang gehören einfach Schneeglöckchen und Krokusse dazu. Es ist schön bereits Anfang März am meteorologischen Frühlingsanfang in den Gärten und Park eine Vielzahl von Frühlingsblühern entdecken zu können.

The beginning of spring simply includes snowdrops and crocuses. It's nice to be able to discover a variety of spring bloomers in the gardens and park at the beginning of March, at the meteorological start of spring.
(see here)

Another great watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch. Enjoy!

Read more on their website here. *

* * *

 
Spring is around the corner here. Mind you, we didn't really have a proper winter. And you won't hear me complain about that.

Here's a picture of our "snowy" winter.

 * * *

We saw several plays this month - what else is new? One of them was a classic: "The Judge and his Hangman" (Der Richter und sein Henker) by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. A very successful production which we enjoyed a lot.

* * *

The German word for February is Februar, but the old German word is Hornung, because in this month the mature red deer sheds the bars of his antlers and begins to grow new antlers, so you could say the name of the month is "antlering". But there are also other old names based on natural phenomena and seasons. This month it's Schmelzmond (melting moon) and Taumond (dew moon).  

* * *

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *
🌼 I wish you all a Happy February! 🌼

Windmills

  Happy January to all my friends and readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Die Ahrenshooper Mühle im Winter"
"The Mill of Ahrenshoop in Winter"

Frank says to this picture:
Als wir in den vergangenen Wochen im Winter an der Ostsee unterwegs waren, dann hatten die Schneewolken die Landschaften an der Ostsee in einen Wintertraum verwandelt..

When we were traveling along the Baltic Sea in winter in the past few weeks, the snow clouds had transformed the landscape on the Baltic Sea into a winter dream.
(see here)

Another great watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch. Enjoy!

Read more on their website here. *
 

 * * * 

 
I have always loved windmills. Therefore, I cannot hide this January picture by Frank Koebsch. Isn't it beautiful?

 

 * * * 

The German word for January is Januar, so very similar. But there are old German words, as well. They are often based on natural phenomena and seasons. January used to be called Hartung (hardening) or Eismond (ice moon or ice month).

 

 * * * 

 

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *
🌬🍃 I wish you all a wonderful January! 🌬🍃

Happy New Year!

  Happy New Year to all my friends and readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Liebeserklärung an …. (Rostock)"
"Declaration of love to …. (Rostock)"

Hanka and Frank say to this picture:
Das Bild ist eine Liebeserklärung an die vielen wunderschönen Augenblicke mit und ohne Sonnenuntergang mit Hanka und eine Liebeserklärung an die Stadt Rostock, in der wir so viele schöne Momente verbrinden konnten.

The picture is a declaration of love to the many wonderful moments with and without sunset with Hanka and a declaration of love to the city of Rostock, where we were able to spend so many beautiful moments.
(see here)

Another great watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch. Enjoy!

Read more on their website here. *
 

 * * * 

 
We meant to visit Rostock several times already but didn't manage so far. Yet, I hope. It seems to be a beautiful city, is situated at the Baltic Sea, that's always a plus.

***

November was rainy, December even more so. But that was alright. Most of the activities at the moment take place indoors anyway, concerts, visits with friends. Just a visit to the Christmas market was outdoors and we were pretty lucky with that.

***

It was nice having our sons visit us for Christmas, even though their trip here was a catastrophe. The train system in Germany is just awful. It took one of them twelve hours (the second time that happened this year) instead of five. And only because we picked him up halfway.

***

Do you bake cookies for Christmas? It's a definite must in our house. So, here are a few to share. If you want some real ones, you must come to our house.

  * * * 

 

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *
🎉 I wish you all a Happy New Year! 🎉

Happy December!

   Happy December to all my friends and readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Fischerboote im norwegischen Winter"
"Fishing boats in the Norwegian winter"

Hanka and Frank say to this picture:
Snow clouds in Sanitz are a rather rare occurrence. In order to find our winter dream, Hanka and I often travel during the Norwegian winter.
Schneewolken in Sanitz sind ein eher seltenes Ereignis. Um unseren Wintertraum zu finden, sind Hanka und ich oft im norwegischen Winter unterwegs.
(see here)

Another great watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch. Enjoy!

Read more on their website here. *
 

 * * * 

 


Fishing boats are always special. I have not been to the sea in winter often, so this is an even lovlier picture for me. We might have to go to Scandinavia in the colder months one year.

 

 * * * 

 

November was very rainy, just as I remember most Novembers. But I still prefer them to the hot summers we have been getting lately.

 

November is always the time to think about our beloved departed ones. My parents died eight and nine years ago. Time flies, I still cannot believe they are gone.

 

* * *

And here's another German word that I just thought of which might be interesting: Quadratlatschen

This means more or less square slippers.

Latschen is a colloquial (and degrading) word for shoes or rather slippers. Quadrat is a square. Not reallly a shape that sounds comfortable for a foot, though it stands more for large slippers.

Do you have words like that in your language?

 

* * *

* You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about the two artists. 

* * *
🎄 I wish you all a happy December! 🎄 

Happy September!

  Happy September to all my friends and readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Kraniche auf dem Weg zu den Schlafplätzen"
"Cranes on their Way to their Roosts"

Hanka and Frank say to this picture:
For me, the crane migration in autumn is one of the most beautiful natural phenomena in northern Germany.
Für mich ist der Kranichzug im Herbst eines der schönsten Naturereignisse im Norden Deutschlands.

Another great watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch. Enjoy!

Read more here.

 

 * * *

True. They also pass by our house and it is always beautiful. I once could even capture their flight. See here:

* * *

August was really busy. We celebrated our 40^th; wedding anniversary with friends and family. It was lovely that most of them could make it and that everyone got on so well with each other. And many had actually been present on our actual wedding. Great day!

* * *

Then we had our niece and her family come to visit for a week. They have two little boys and it was absolutely lovely to have them here, even though it was also a tad exhausting at times. But we always love company.

* * *

While helping out another niece and taking her husband to his sick parents, we were not far from the North Sea and seized the opportunity for a short trip to the water. Here are some pictures from Carolinensiel:

* * *

You can find many more wonderful pictures on their website here.

You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about them. 

* * *

🌳 I wish you all a happy September! 🌳

Happy August!

 Happy August to all my friends and readers

New Calendar picture with this
beautiful watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch

"Reddevitzer Höft – Blick auf die Granitz"
"Headland of Reddevitz – View of the Granitz"

Hanka and Frank say to this picture:

It's always fun to paint on the Baltic Sea. This time we had chosen a beautiful place on the Mönchgut as part of the painting trip to Rügen. When painting landscapes on the Mönchgut, I am always inspired by the motifs for maritime watercolours.

(Es macht immer wieder Spaß an der Ostsee zu malen. Dieses Mal hatten wir uns im Rahmen der Malreise nach Rügen einen wunderschönen Platz auf dem Mönchgut ausgesucht. Bei der Landschaftsmalerei auf dem Mönchgut begeistern mich immer wieder die Motive für maritime Aquarelle.)

Read more here.

 

 * * *

I couldn't agree more. There are so many beautiful spots on the Baltic Sea. We live closer to the North Sea but the Baltic is calmer, more peaceful. I think this shows beautifully in Frank's painting.

* * *

July had a lot of changing weather, almost like April, though I cannot remember a month of April ever being this hot. But the heat alternated with heavy rain and storms, so it was a weird summer months. Quite a few of the acitivities we had planned to attend were cancelled due to the weather.

* * *

But there was one event we could attend and that was a balloon festival nearby. Here is a collage of some of the beautiful balloons.

* * *

However, July is always interesting in the blogging world. Because we have

PARIS IN JULY

Find Emma's original post here and my summary here. We have read lots of interesting books about Paris and France.

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Another great watercolour painting by Frank Koebsch. Enjoy!

You can find many more wonderful pictures on their website here.

You can also have a look under my labels Artist: Frank Koebsch and Artist: Hanka Koebsch where you can find all my posts about them. 

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I wish everyone a happy August!