Ancient European Forests and the Art of finding Petrol Stations in Italy

We just woke up to the sound of birds and the wind blowing through the trees… and a big bull (!) standing in front of our van.

The forest is inviting us for a pleasant stroll, or in Logan’s terms: a power hike into the woods. I discover many unique ancient trees, beautiful flowers in yellow, purple and white and also red berries. I’m taking my time to film and gaze at everything while Logan is impatiently waiting 50 meters in front of me.

After an hours walk, we decide to backtrack where we came from, as we have no idea where the path will be leading us. Back on the road, we are heading south towards Bari and then Monopoli. Finding a petrol station in Italy is not easy! If you assume that petrol stations are on the highway: Not in Italy! Every so often you will find a sign saying: 350m petrol station. You ask yourself: 350m TO the petrol station or to the exit to the petrol station. The next exit, maybe 200m from the sign, hasn’t got any other sign. Can’t be this exit then, right? And then you see it from the distance. Well exit missed. Surely we can take the next exit and drive back? No, that’s not possible because you can get off the highway but not back on. Meanwhile you waste the last drops of your petrol. Half an hour later we finally find a petrol station and are being waved right back out of it. “Closed” even though the sign says: “open”. A few hundred meters later we finally find an open petrol station and fill up our thirsty Globetrotter. Just before Monopoli we find a nice spot with a cliff down to the sea and an inlet. After Logan went for a run, he jumped into the refreshing (freezing!) cold water. Unfortunately we have run out of water and also need to do our dishes in the sea. That made for a salty aftertaste. Oh well.

17-18/12/11 Cutting our Christmas Tree

It’s the big day of choosing and cutting this year’s Christmas tree. Our neighbours invited everyone for some pre-drinking at 10am: hot Glühwein out of an outdoor kettle which is hanging over a fire. With the car we are driving deep into the forest to an area free for people to choose their tree and cut it down themselves. Logan, mum, dad and I are walking back and forth in the forest trying to find the perfect tree which is not as easy as you may think and of course: the women are picky! Once we found a suitable tree, Logan had the honour of cutting it and carrying it back to the car.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our neighbours even prepared a nice lunch in the back of their van, so we carry on eating and drinking in the forest, getting to know everyone a little better. My friend’s dad is a dedicated bicycle rider and invites Logan for a ride the next day. Not sure of whether he was joking or not, the next morning Logan is surprised by a ringing bell and three guys waiting outside of our house for him. They even brought a bicycle for Logan, so he quickly got changed and ran out to join them on their tour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I later heard they had a break in a restaurant drinking beer and it sounded like Logan enjoyed the little excursion and made a new friend – Robert, who is about his age and studies medicine in Berlin. As if it wasn’t enough exhaustion yet, he only came in to say hello and then to take off again – running. My parents couldn’t believe it but it doesn’t surprise me anymore.