Überraschung

 

Surprise, my driver ended the "no day trips" edict. His acceptance of the government mandate did not last very long. Blame it on itchy feet and only an hour from home. This morning we quickly made the last-minute decision to hop on the bus Gus and head to Brunsbuttel. It is an easy one-hour trip to the locks on the Kiel Canal plus a favorite grocery store. 

Kaiser Wilhelm again. 

The Kiel Canal, the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal was formerly the Kaiser-Wilhelm- Kanal, connecting the North Sea at Brunsbüttel to the Baltic Sea at Kiel. It is 61 miles long and is the busiest man-made canal in the world.  Over 9,000 workers spent eight years building it. In 1895, the canal was officially opened by Emperor William II. He sort of liked his name on everything. Similar to the current American king with a T here - a T there - everywhere a T T on it in you can't miss them big gold letters.

Recently opened new open-air style sound barrier tunnel in Hamburg.

There are still traditional tunnels. 

Perfect timing, on our arrival there was a huge ship plus a smaller one ready for us to watch as they make their way through the locks. The canal makes it possible for huge ocean-going container ships to pass by providing entertainment for shipophile Peter.

A windmill reminder for our times today.

Driving back to Hamburg a functioning windmill caught our attention. Many others around the countryside exist but appear to be standing still waiting for Don Quixote. Now there is a Don in the white house just like Don Quixote unable to separate reality from fiction. Stunning similarity!

Moo, moo must be calling our attention to the nearby little hut.

Take a look inside. Reminder: when you click on a photo it will increase in size.

Inside the hut is today's vending machine find. A vending machine offering fresh milk! Almost right from the cow.

The one-liter glass bottles are located on the shelves to the right. Fill em up for one euro each.

Cruise 2020

At least we made it on to the water. Our front row ferry ride is now our cruise the year.

Along the county roads, there were long stretches of fabric-covered piles of potatoes. Well, to me they looked like potatoes but after a correction, I learned they are turnips. 

Chalk this excursion up to the "shortest day of the year" day trip.