Wischhafen

We've been covering 100 miles a day or more since leaving Prague in order to reach the North Coast. Driving to Wischhafen we noticed about 4 caravans in laybys. These caravans displayed a red heart, either by way of a large sticker or hung in the window. We can only assume they were brothels. Regions in Germany have a high degree of autonomy and we can only assume this region (Humburg and Schleswig-Holstein) had legalised this practice. Despite knowing that with legalisation comes protection for the workers, we still worried for them.

One thing we found interesting was to see three 'pods' hanging from high voltage electricity pylon wires. These pods contained one person each who seemed to be scrubbing the wires. In contrast to the UK where so many jobs are being cut back, we've seen many instances in Germany of a job that can be done, being done! People are employed to improve and maintain the living and leisure facilities to a far greater extent over here, for example, washing cycle tracks and dead heading roundabout flower displays.

Our stopover was lovely! We were close to a tributary of the River Elbe and our proximity to the coast was shown by the tide exposing mudflats. There were a small herd of bullocks in the field beside us and expanses of grassland on and over which we spotted starlings, lapwings, storks and greylag geese to mention but a few. The sun was warm but not too hot and we spent the late afternoon relaxing on the grass outside the van.Read more