Christmas Eve day included a long walk on a dark, wind-carved beach -- sand sculpted by constant currents speeding over its surface, blown debris catching and collecting on larger objects obstructing the air stream. Seeking shelter from the wall of wind, we followed a tiny footpath through the dunes, winding through the wild landscape through moments of rain and rainbows.
Late afternoon, Nebel at dusk, and an old church undergoing its yearly capacity test. Candles twinkling under thatched roofs.
Christmas morning: sweet potato pancakes, and another long walk across the dunes, gray beach, and beautiful boardwalk. Later I found a magical place between dunes housing the wind's secret collection of pretty shells, colorful stones, and bones, all out on display and not a footprint to be found.
Christmas, day 2: last-minute packing, and frohe Weihnachten, liebste Sonne! How we missed you and your sunny beams (not to mention vitamin D).
Behold the giant turkey in the sky:
We had some time before the ferry back to the mainland and walked our way to the landing with a strong tailwind and surprise shower from the sky.
The ferry ride started smoothly with clear skies, but ended up taking four hours instead of the usual two to reach the mainland (surprise -- you win a North Sea Cruise! -- effective immediately), thanks to strong winds and high tides making it impossible to dock for long periods of time. Once the ferry did get back to shore, we were in the midst of a storm with a good deal of flooding. Luckily trains were still running and we spent the next several hours barreling south, the rain pounding on the metal roof and wind making all sorts of dramatic noises as we rushed through the night.
A quiet trip, rich in walks, cooking, and warm, woodstove evenings. A beautiful island, and one that I hope to visit again in a friendlier season.
