So east to Barth first, then to Mr Zwanenberg

Today was an exciting day, with the news of Mr Zwanenberg. Jeannette later said, Oh! he is clever! He is so clever! Meaning he has his full mind about him. She has a meeting Thursday afternoon around 4 near, like very near, where he is, so we will all meet together. I'm not sure if he speaks English- many older Hollanders do not- so Jeannette will work to translate if need be and help with the conversation. Wow!
We had some lunch, simple things like the sliced meats and fresh hearty cheeses, sliced tomatos and cucumbers, heavy bread. Jeannette said one hefts bread here- holds it to calculate weight- and the heavier, the more substantial. We had fresh pasta cooked with mushrooms, tomatos, olives, with slices of fresh strong cheese on it, salad and red wine for dinner. The coffee here is fabulous. Many people own a Phillips Senseo machine, which makes espresso quickly, with coffee in a bag (like a tea bag), and it's delicious. They even have a small container to hold some milk and "froth" it by whisking rapidly, then spoon over the coffee. Cinnamon, cocoa, and it's fresher, hotter and tastier than bought out.
I went out to bicycle to the center of town today, and the bikes here are literally everywhere. Babies will ride in the front with a clear plastic windscreen, teens, ride with a friend sitting astride sidesaddle behind them, looking very relaxed with their hands folded in their laps. People use cell phones and ride, some smoke cigarettes!, they even read books while riding! Today a man in his 60s was next to me waiting at the light, and when it changed, he "blew my doors in"! Off he went in a scurry!
I slept for a half hour around 6 before Dietrich called. When I told him of Mr Zwanenberg and my considerations- go south, then north, then south, he said he had to work 4 days this week. That clinched it for me to go east to Barth first. It is on the North Sea, but here they divide that sea by North and East. So it is warmer than the Zuider Zee, which is part of the North Sea, so yeah! more swimming! I will leave in the morning by 10 I think. Jeannette has made all the train connections and reservations for me (could she travel with me for a few more weeks please?!!) and for my bicycle. When I leave Leeuwarden, I travel east to Leer, then through the border to Bremen, Germany (Dad's plane dropped bombs over Bremen or Bremenhaven just north on the day he was shot down). Then on to Hamburg- no, I won't probably buy a hamburger, thank you!- Rostock and Barth. I have wheels, so I can travel to and through the towns. The land is flat and easy to bike, and very beautiful. I will read tomorrow myself how to load pictures onto the computer and off to you all.