[fried]

So, the missus has threatened me with divorce if she doesn't see the sea this year which led me to a run through of the options. We/ I'll be in Font for most of August as usual, so this will be a one week excusion that won't (?) include any climbing.

The south of France is awful in the summer, I don't like the Atlantic coast and anyway I fancied a change from France, so we decided on a trip up to the German North sea coast, maybe as far as Denmark (just so I can tick it off).

We like chilling out, eating, drinking and relaxing. I started looking and there looks like a lot of interesting nature reserves on the Fressian islands but does anyone have any good recomendations on stuff to see, visit, best places to do nothing etc?

I also noticed a sandstone Island (Hegioland or something) sounds tempting. Any sneaky climbing hints also welcome.

[andy popp]

You should read The Riddle of the Sands before you go, just for a bit of atmosphere (I never been btw).

[fried]

I've got Cat and Mouse by Gunter Grass in my head but I believe that's the other side and a bit far to drive. I've been meaning to read riddle of the sands for years, so now I have no excuse.

[Muenchener]

My son's best friend's family rented an apartment on an island called Baltrum for several summers, and invited my son up there the last two years. I've never been myself but it sounds nice: small island, no vehicles allowed, kids do lots of swimming (I used to swim in the North Sea loads as a kid too; can't begin to imagine doing so now. Where's the blue shivering smiley?)

[andy popp]

I've got Cat and Mouse by Gunter Grass in my head but I believe that's the other side and a bit far to drive. I've been meaning to read riddle of the sands for years, so now I have no excuse.

Also Thomas Mann's Buddenbrooks would be perfect for this trip. I swam in the Baltic (off Helsinki) last summer and it was fine, guess this would be north sea though

[fried]

My son's best friend's family rented an apartment on an island called Baltrum for several summers, and invited my son up there the last two years. I've never been myself but it sounds nice: small island, no vehicles allowed, kids do lots of swimming (I used to swim in the North Sea loads as a kid too; can't begin to imagine doing so now. Where's the blue shivering smiley?)

That's the style, looks good. Not too far either.