Familie Lawrenz aus München: August 7th -- Day trip to the Island Langeoog

Setting sail -- Andy, Emily, Joshua, with the buggy in tow, got on the boat early Thursday morning for a small cruise and a day visit to Langeoog, one of the seven East Frisian islands.

Along the way we passed seals sunning themselves at sandbanks the low tide had exposed.

There were some pictoresque, old-fashioned fishing boats as we approached Langeoog harbor.

While still on the boat, the captain's assistant did show-fishing for us, and then presented the various crabs, fish, clams, worms, etc. that he had drawn from the ocean. Emily got to hold this friendly crab, and provided him with a walking surface by continually changing hands.

One we arrived at Langeoog Harbor (see our boat at the end of the dock -- the "Freia"), we had a walk ahead of us. As the island's name would suggest, Langeoog is very long and skinny. All along the way, we passed sea grasses, lush rose hip bushes in flower and quaint island holiday bungalows. Cars are not allowed on the island, so we were joined only by bikers (residents and vacationers heading to town for bread or the morning paper) and other pedestrians.

Then we reached the town, with its tea shops, cafes, bookstores, groceries, and various specialty shops. After a quick Tchibo coffee (yes, they even have Tchibo on Langeoog!) to take off the edge of the early start, we continued on to the "Wasserturm" (water tower) and then across the dunes and onto the beach.

The "green dunes" between town and beach.

"We made it! What's the view like out of my stroller? I'm getting sleepy . . ."

Once arrived, Andy got busy setting up our "beach tent", the latest family beach gear over here: since the average temperature at the North sea is 20 degrees Celcius in August (low seventies F), it protects from cool wind if the sun goes under a cloud, but also provides cover from the sun for small children. It was by now Joshua's naptime, so he signed off for two hours!

Nice work, Andy! Unfortunately, after all that effort, we only got to swim and relax for about an hour before a thunderstorm came up. Everybody cleared the beach at Olympic speed and ran for cover. We found it in the Catholic church with dozens of others!