Dina on Tea Toast and Trivia

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I’m quite chuffed about being featured on Rebbeca and Don’s Tea, Toast and Trivia this week.

We met up on Blakeney Point Nature Reserve, enjoyed a cup of ginger tea together to keep warm and started chatting about Photography and Art. My affection for this stretch of land, nature and my camera warm my heart more than any cuppa. This land belongs to the National Trust and is cared for by a great team of rangers and volunteers. I’m one of them. In the end, this is much more about my history with the National Trust and who can blame me. You can read more and listen to us here and also learn more about Rebecca Budd, lifelong learner, blogger and photographer. Thank you, Rebecca, thank you, Don, for this wonderful experience!

“As a seal warden, I have to ensure the seals are not disturbed, to inform and guide the visitors. The Grey Seal is the largest seal that lives in the UK and Blakeney Point is the largest colony within England with 3,399 pups born in 2019/20. This season we’re expecting more than 4000 pups born.” Hanne Siebers

Hanne Siebers, Cley next the Sea, 2020

194 thoughts

    • Thank you Annalena for listening in. I especially appreciated Hanne-Dina’s generosity in joining me on TTT. I know that Hanne-Dina does not like to be a “super-star.” But her humbleness is what makes her a super-star, a wonderful influencer in leading the way for caring for our environment. In a world full of noise and confusion, it is the still, small, gentle voice of reason that offers wholistic way of embracing life.

      Liked by 3 people

    • That’s absolutely correct. Hanne-Dina doesn’t like to be super-star.
      With love
      Siri 🙂 & 🙂 Selma, Klausbernd 🙂
      We just came back from Weybourne, our second look at the stranded sperm whale. Such a beautiful winter light, we really like this weather 🙂 🙂 – with some snow, it would be perfect.

      Liked by 3 people

  3. Ah – loved hearing you, Dina! Listening to your joy, life and adventure – so inspirational! Blakeney Point would be one of the first places to see – if I were to come to England again, and if I was allowed to visit – are other people allowed to?

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Dear Leya,
      you are very welcome to visit us and Blakeney Point.
      Parts of Blakeney Point are fenced off during the breeding season of the grey seals only. That’s from November to January. The rest of the year you can walk from Cley out to the Blakeney Point. That’s a great walk on the beach. When the grey seals are gone then you have the smaller common seals there. Besides the breeding ground for seals, it’s a breeding ground for the little terns as well, an endangered sea bird.
      We hope to meet you at ours when we are allowed to travel again.
      Keep well, happy and healthy.
      Thanks for commenting
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 5 people

    • Thank you so much, indeed! How very generous and kind of you. I was referring to Blakeney Point – if it was allowed for strangers/ordinary people to visit. I would love to have all four of you as guides of course… but it was not my intention to ask for this. I apologize for having expressed myself too unclear.
      ♥♥♥♥

      Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Leya,
      we have the privilege that Dina and actually our dear master as well are allowed to go into the fenced off no-go-area as they both are seal wardens. They know how to move there without disturbing the grey seals or the little terns. And how to be safe moving in between the seals. But if you would come during the summer nearly all the Point can be visited. There is quite a big common seal colony to be seen and lots of Terns – like Common, Arctic and Sandwitch Terns.
      No need to apologise.
      With love
      ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • And I must apologize again – but I thank you sincerely for this lovely opportunity. I would be delighted to come. But, nobody knows when this is over and traveling will be possible again. Let us hope there is a brighter future!

      Liked by 2 people

    • We’d love to show you around, Ann-Christine, you’re most welcome! Thank you for your lovely comment. Hope your heating is working again soon. Take care, stay safe and keep well and warm.
      Love, Dina-Hanne

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dina, I just apologized to Clausbernd for my unclear question…what I meant was to ask if Blakeney Point was open to people in general. But I would be extremely glad to meet you there. Better guides than the four of you cannot be found – I am sure!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Ann-Christine, I’m sure we’d have a great time together, please do consider coming, you are both more than welcome. You’ll get a guided tour and gorgeous vistas. x

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Leya,
      the Blakeney Point is open to people in general. Only during the breeding season of the grey seals and little terns parts of it are fenced off. You can walk out to the Point along the beach which takes about 2.5 to 3 hours one way but you can go by boat – the seal trips – from Morston as well. Walking needs to be exactly timed that you can easily walk out there. If you don’t time it right you have to walk on the shingle that’s really hard work.
      All the best
      The Fan Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Fab Four of Cley,
    Happy Holidays and Congratulations on being recognized for the excellent work you always create. I took a trip over to Tea Toast and was happy to leave a comment.
    I have always looked forward to your posts on the seals, but I must commend you once again for wonderful work you do to help protect them!
    Please continue to stay safe and healthy, my friends. This world needs people like yourselves!
    GP Cox

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply

    • Our dear friend GP Cox,
      thank you very much for your kind words.
      We wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS as well, have a cosy and wonderful time.
      Thanks for the congratulations 🙂 🙂 Hanne-Dina loves her work as a seal warden VERY very much. We suppose she could go out to the Point every day. We must admit, we don’t let her, we want to have our dear Hanne-Dina for us as well.
      The world needs people like you too, people who improve our historical knowledge. It’s so important to know your history.
      With love from the sunny sea
      Siri, Selma & Masterchen
      🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 4 people

    • Thank you for listening in GP Cox. I am honoured that Hanne-Dina shared her insights and love of the world on TTT. She is leading the way in caring for our world. By the way, I’ll be heading over your way in the new year.

      Liked by 3 people

  8. Dear Hanne, congratulations my dear friend. This was a big step out of your comfort zone and you did so well!
    Also heartfelt congratulations on being featured in The Guardian Wildlife pictures of the week for two weeks in a row now. I’m proud of you and you are right to feel so too.
    Kram
    Annalena Xx

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  9. Good for you Hanne, how nice to see you recognized for you commitment to nature and the seals as well as your superb photography! We have a related issue here with the many tourists who visit and do not understand how important it is to leave the migrating birds alone. Our red knots, for example, stop here for a few days in their 15,000 km migration in spring and fall to rest and feed. We have a new program for residents who patrol and speak with tourists who are unwittingly harassing the birds. Because they are small and plentiful it is more difficult to convince people of the importance of leaving them alone. We are just beginning our efforts but hopefully will have some impact on the problem, much as you have had with the seals. Congratulations on your efforts!

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Dear Tina,
      it partly helps that the National Trust owns Blakeney Point but more so that’s strenuous to reach the breeding grounds. You have to walk at least for two hours one way but if you don’t time it exactly it takes you much longer and you have to walk on the shingle. People who take that effort are usually compatible with nature.
      We have a similar programme to yours with the Little Terns, small, endangered terns breeding at the Point as well. Hanne-Dina is patroling there as well.
      Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, stay well, happy and healthy
      Siri 🙂 & 🙂 Selma, Klausbernd 🙂
      Love from Hanne-Dina as well. She just came back with lots of pictures of a stranded sperm whale not far from our beach.

      Liked by 3 people

    • I think there are many of us, and more every day. One of the few pandemic benefits is the healing of Mother Earth and the benefit to her creatures. Let’s hope people learn how much good can be done in just a short time.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you very much, Tina! I love doing this work and even more so when it’s possible to capture the environment and the wildlife with my camera.
      The red knots are on our shores during winter, how lovely to be connected in this way. We spend a lot of time protecting all the ground-nesting birds during spring and summer, foremost the endangered little terns, avocet and ringed plovers. The breeding areas are fenced off and we take shifts in a mobile hide to look after the birds and guide the visitors. They (bird watchers and bird photographers) are not always as appreciative and friendly as the people walking the long way on the shingle during winter to see the seals.
      Warm greetings to you and yours from the Norfolk coast.x

      Liked by 1 person

    • That IS a lovely connection Dina. We too have fenced areas that the tourists do respect, for our endangered piping plovers. But it is very difficult to control what happens on the open areas of the beach, and honestly all we can do is advise rather than enforce. The red knots are such amazing little creatures aren’t they?!

      Liked by 1 person

    • Yes, Tina, I love the red knots. A few miles further down the coast towards the west, into the Wash, there’s the RSPB reserve Snettisham. It’s one of the most breath-taking wildlife spectacles in the British Isles, all the red knots together, then the murmuration, it gives me goosebumps over and over again. One January morning this year before Covid-19 hit us, I drove towards Snettisham beach as the sun was rising. The sky above me suddenly was filled with 7-8-9 thousands of Pinkfooted geese, the sound was utterly amazing and I drove on with moist eyes. Then, on the beach, some record 140 000 red knots on the mudflats. The wintering waders form extraordinary murmurations as they abandon their feeding grounds to the incoming spring tide. Turn up the sound to enjoy the birds and I’m sure you’ll hear them talking about visiting your grounds in spring 2021.
      Drumroll for the Snettisham Wader Spectacular!:

      Liked by 2 people

    • Yes, we have amazing red knot murmurations as well although I’ve not heard of pink-footed geese!! That must be quite something. Personally I long to see the red-crowned cranes of Japan some day. Nature is truly wonderful!

      Liked by 2 people

  12. You deserve every bit of joy this brings you, Dina. You have brought such a great deal of pleasure to those who read your blog and are lucky enough to see the wonderful photographs you take. Happy Christmas.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

  14. Dear friends,
    that’s wonderful news, I’m so happy for you, Hanne! Your photography is really taking off! I’ll listen to you and Rebecca when I have finished writing and come back to you later.

    I can’t believe it actually happened to me, but I have been ill with Corona. That’s why you haven’t heard from me for a while. I’m feeling much better now, but I’m not quite there yet and still self-isolating. I’ll give you a call at the weekend, we can catch up then.

    Klem
    Per Magnus

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Oh dear, our dear friend Per Magnus,
      we hope that you will get better soon. We keep our fingers crossed and Siri 🙂 and 🙂 Selma work their HHM, that is happy healing magic (Siri’s and Selm’s new brand mark).
      And thank you VERY very much for your kind comment.
      We’ll phone at the weekend. We are all looking forward to talking to you – or shall we zoom?
      With lots and lots of love
      ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
      KLEM
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

    • Here comes even more HHM for you, dear Per Magnus. 🌿💫✨🌱⚡️💫🍀
      Special delivery by us 💚💚
      the Happy Healing Bookfayries next the Sea 🌊
      Siri🧚🏻‍♀️ and Selma🧚🏻‍♀️

      Liked by 3 people

    • Thank you Per Magnus – you will enjoy Hanne-Dina’s amazing conversation on art, photography, nature and living authentically within our beautiful world. So sorry to hear that you have experienced Corona. Please take care of yourself. All the very best from Vancouver, Canada.

      Liked by 2 people

  15. We love you and your work, Rebecca, Don and Dina-Hanne❣️❣️
    We understand, our fairy magic did work very well for this production.
    Fairy dust and HHM 🌿💫✨🌱⚡️💫🍀
    Siri 🧚🏻‍♀️ and Selma 🧚🏻‍♀️

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Dearest Siri and Selma – I felt your presence with us throughout the conversation. Don said that there seemed to be magic at work during the post production process because everything came so easily. Dina-Hanne’s voice came through crisp and clear even though we were thousands of miles apart. I told Don that fairy magic was indeed a vital energy source in this podcast. Thank you for being there for all of us – your fairy dust brings light into our world. Many thanks, love and hugs coming from Don, Thomas and me to our dear friends, Siri and Selma.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Thank you for all the vibrant fairy ✨💫✨✨magic, dear 🧚🏻‍♀️Siri and 🧚🏻‍♀️Selma❣️❣️ It worked, it always does! 🥰
      Hugs and kisses,
      Dina-Hanne ❤️

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Ute,
      thank you so much for your kind words.
      We love living at the North Norfolk coast.
      Today we went to a beach nearby where a huge sperm whale was stranded a couple of days ago. It was a beautiful winter day, sunshine and freezing temperatures. Hanne-Dina was photographing there. We all four loved this little trip along the beach, such a great winter light like we know it from Scandinavia.
      Thanks for liking this conversion of Rebecca with Hanne-Dina.
      Keep happy, healthy and well
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

    • That’s very kind of you, Ute, thanks a lot❣️🙏🏻 I think we are really blessed living in this part of the world, we have so much to be grateful for. 🙏🏻❤️

      Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Anneli,
      Thank you VERY much 🙂 🙂
      Siri 🧚‍♀️ & 🧚‍♀️ Selma and Klausbernd 😊
      Hanne-Dina is just busy loading down pictures from a huge stranded sperm whale nearby. She’ll come back to you later.

      Liked by 3 people

    • Oh dear. I don’t suppose it survived? I have a soft spot for sperm whales after reading a book about them to my classes many, many years ago. It’s been out of print for decades now, but it was called Sharp Ears, the Baby Whale, by John Beaty. I see there are some copies of it available as collector’s items. I still have my copy and wouldn’t part with it for the world.

      Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Anneli,
      unfortunately, the whale was dead for about 2 to 3 weeks before being washed on Weybourne beach (Weybourne towards Cley beach). That’s not the first time that dead whales get washed to our beaches, about one every 3 years. This time it was different that it didn’t stink that horribly like the other dead whales maybe because we have freezing temperatures. During the high time of whaling in the Arctic during the 16th and 17th c. , it was said that you could smell a whaler on the sea about one mile away.
      Love
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Anneli,
      Dina’s grandfather was a whaler. We suppose that whaling in the Arctic is fine. I, Klausbernd, talked to hunters in Ittoqqortoormiit/NE Greenland about whaling. Their argument: First you fished our seas extensively and now you want to forbit whaling for us. That’s a point, isn’t it?
      Wishing you great holiday season
      Love
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

    • I suppose it’s all about managing the numbers, but who is smart enough to do that properly? Certainly not our Fisheries and Oceans Department. Another consideration is that a few generations ago, whaling was about getting the meat and the other by-products for a community’s sustenance. Now it’s much more a commercial venture. There has to be give and take as times change.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Thank you very much, Anneli. Loved the story about Sharp Ears, the baby whale. It’s beautifully illustrated. I had a look on eBay and Amazon, but as you say, only collector’s items available. I can well understand that you cling to your copy. x

      Liked by 2 people

    • I was surprised at the price, but that’s meaningless for me because I won’t part with it. My teacher read this book to my class when I was about nine years old, and that wasn’t yesterday. I read it to my classes when I was teaching too, but I changed a few of the old-fashioned words as I read to them. They loved the book though.

      Liked by 3 people

    • Precious objects are prieceless goods, Anneli. I would never part with a gem like this eiter. I’m sure you were a warmhearted and loving teacher that brought lots of joy and gave many pupils lieflong teasureable memories. I had a teacher like that for one year, I still think of her very fondly. Xx

      Liked by 2 people

  21. This is just a delight, listening to Hanne’s voice, it’s like putting a puzzle together, her amazing talent , her approach to nature and how Hanne’s lets herself getting inspired being out in the nature. We photographers have also to be listeners…. listening to our subjects, they all haves voices and Hanne is a great listener. Thank you Hanne for sharing your amazing talent.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Dear Cornelia,
      thank you so much.
      You made me aware of the connection between photography and listening. That’s right when I am out with Hanne-Dina she is quietly listening before taking a picture. When she is listening the nature is whispering to her and communication started and ends in the picture – actually, that’s not the end, editing is the next step of communication, the sophisticated communication so to speak.
      Wishing you a great holiday season, keep well and happy
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Aaah, Cornelia, I don’t know where to start, I’m just over the moon with joy reading your lovely comment! Heartfelt thanks 🙏🏻💞🙏🏻for listening in. You’re so right, I love listening to seals and their conversations. The vocal tones of the pups sound almost human, like babies crying out. In German, they’re called “Heuler”.
      I loved seeing this video from St.Andrews
      https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2019/06/21/gray-seal-vocal-study-orig-vstop-bdk.cnn

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dear Dina, thank you so much for sending this video, it’s amazing. You know where I live in California, a few minutes down to the ocean, a few miles away in the ocean, there is a rock where the seals hang out and I always can hear their conversations, I do enjoy that so much, you are right ” Heuler” , as I am German I understand what you mean. Best wishes to you.

      Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Cornelia, yes, I was sure, you being German, would know. The word “Heuler” describes it so well. Whiner or Howler gets near it. I wonder if these words are commonly used like the “Heuler”? Best wishes to you. x

      Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Vicki,
      thanks a lot for liking Dina’s photography.
      Some of these pups are really baby-like, aren’t they?
      Wishing you a peaceful holiday season, keep well and happy
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

    • Thank you very much, dear Vicki. I have never seen as many seals as we have on the Point at present, it’s quite impressive.
      Big hugs to you, stay safe and keep well. x

      Liked by 3 people

  24. Hanne, I’ve just finished listening to the podcast with the wonderful Rebecca and wow! It was amazing, as if I was there, taking part in the conversation— you just didn’t seem to hear me! 😀😀 Congratulations on your fantastic success within the National Trust and I’m off the get the book!! Can’t wait to see your featured images in print! Your work with the seals sounds and looks incredible and what a humbling and inspiring task. You describe your natural landscape with such beauty and you brought alive the infinite emotion I experienced when visiting the area a few years ago. Good luck with your projects this year, thank you for inspiring me, your enthusiasm and energy is infectious! Finally a very important message at the end expressed with finesse and magic of the natural world! A privilege to listen in to you two very special ladies and your articulate and creative conversation. Xx ❤️

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Annika, you made my day with your eloquent comment, thank you so much for taking the time to listen to our conversation. I feel blessed and I’m so grateful for being able to do what I love the most on this iconic strip of land.
      All the best for you and your projects too. If you ever consider a visit to North Norfolk and Blakeney Point again, do get in touch and I’ll guide you, you are most welcome!
      Thanks again for your heartwarming words. ❤

      Liked by 3 people

    • Hanne, that is a wonderful invitation, thank you! I will definitely get in touch before we visit next time and I would love a guided tour (I’ll make sure to bring a warm thermos drink!) 😀❤️🤗

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Annika,
      Siri 🙂 and 🙂 Selma always make us reminding everyone that we have to care for our nature which starts with nature surrounding us (and actually with our own nature as well). They make the point that it is their future we are dealing with today. They have put up a poster of Greta Thunberg in their room. “She understands what it is all about. It’s about how we will live when we have reached your age!” they make the point. We are very happy that they make us act sustainably.
      Thank you very much, dear Annika, for your kind comment.
      With finest fairy dust and lots of love
      ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

    • Bless, Siri and Selma, how right they are to care so for the environment and Greta Thunberg is one of my heroines! A remarkable young lady and it will exciting to see where she will be in a few years time. I like your point about caring for nature and taking note of our own nature – very important! Love to you all and enjoy your wonderful nature on your doorstep! xx

      Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Annika,
      we hope Greta Thunberg will get the Nobel Prize for Peace. Siri 🙂 and 🙂 Selma and their friends Hildi and Hulda work lots of fairy magic and Hanne-Dina and our dear Master keep their fingers crossed and sometimes they press their thumbs, as one does in Germany.
      ❤ x ❤ x ❤ x ❤

      Liked by 3 people

    • Dear Gilda,
      thank you very much for commenting and the congratulations 🙂 🙂 soooo kind!
      We are wishing you a wonderful, happy and cosy holiday season.
      Keep well
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  27. Dear friends,
    I can’t believe how far I had to scroll to get to the end of the comments! I read them all and I must say, I’m absolutely thrilled for you all! Heartfelt congratulations to Rebecca and Hanne for this podcast, bravo for the fairy magic support of my fairy-darlings Siri and Selma and the conducting support by Klausbernd.

    It was lovely to listen to your conversation. The podcast is superb, well done on you. Rebecca sounds truly professional and the music is also so inviting. I have learned so much more about nature, the Natural Trust, art and about what’s close to your heart. You know I adore your photography Hanne and I’m so pleased about the recognition you get for your work now. Klausbernd told me there was a whole page in the newspapers today again, this is overwhelming.

    I’m stuck in Trondheim at the moment, not being able to see my family at the present. By the looks of it, I probably will have to cancel my flight in early spring to come and visit you. Better times are awaiting us, for sure…
    Take care and stay safe.
    Klem
    Hjerter ❤

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    • Dearest Hjerter,
      let’s see and wait what will happen in the new year. We very much hope you will be able to visit us. We are looking sooooooo much forward to it.
      Thanks for liking Dina’s photography 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 She is really doing well and her podcast is great, isn’t it?
      We send you love ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ hugs 🤗 🤗 🤗 🤗 kisses 💋 💋 💋 💋
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Dear Rebecca,

    I have just written a long comment on your Tea Toast and Trivia, but I cannot post it as I have no WordPress account. I was hoping I could register with my email address and a name like I do here, but your settings are different so I have come back to this space; I just want you to know that I really enjoyed listening to your podcast, it so well done!
    I love the sound of your voice and the inviting music and the beginning and the end. I have learned so much about nature, art, the National Trust and about what’s close to your heart, well to Hanne’s heart. Hanne is a friend of mine for many many years and I’m so happy for her. The recognition she gets is rightly deserved, thank you for featuring her work.
    Klem and love from Norway, Hjerter ❤

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Thank you so much, dearest Rebecca!
      Isn’t it great that now TTT gets known in Norway and Germany too. You and Don do such an important work.
      Lots of love to you, Don and Thomas
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Dear Hjerter, I am beyond thrilled with your heartwarming and encouraging comments. A few years ago, my husband, son and I visited the Fab Four of Cley. We walked along Blakeney Point and experienced the fresh sea air, the horizon that seemed to go on forever, the voice of the ocean, and the poignant call of the seagulls. It is an unforgettable memory, one that Hanne captured in our conversation. It was as if I was with her walking along the beach, even through we were thousands of miles apart. One day travel will come back, but for now I am grateful for the technology that brings us together. Hanne has promised to come back on TTT and I’m looking forward to once again meeting up with her on Blakeney Point. All the very best of this festive season. I am glad that we connected. Take care, Rebecca

      Liked by 2 people

  29. Meinen allerherzlichsten Glueckwunsch, lieber Dina!
    Vielleicht sollte wir uns – alle Follower hier im Blog meine ich damit – einmal zusammentun und Dich zum “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” vorschagen. Verdient haettest Du es!
    Liebe Gruesse,
    Pit

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    • Wie lieb von dir, Pit! Ich grinse von Ohr zu Ohr, du bist wirklich der Beste. Herzlichen Dank für diese Auszeichnung und ganz liebe Grüße zu dir und Mary!
      Habt ein gemütliches drittes Advent.
      🤗🤗
      Dina

      Liked by 1 person

    • Lieber Pit,
      herzlichen Dank.
      Dina ist gerade vom Fotogafieren zurückgekommen. Ich habe lange an meinem Roman geschrieben und habe endlich das Gefühl, das ich etwas Sinnvolles mit dem Schreiben mache. Ich habe lange gehadert. Ein Roman von Linn Ullmann hat mich angeregt weiterzumachen. Es ist toll, wie Dina immer mehr Veröffentlichungsmöglichkeiten bekommt, nun auch in einer Berliner Zeitschrift. Ich finde auch, sie das SEHR verdient.
      Gleich werden wir in die Sauna verschwinden, das Beste, was man tun kann bei diesem irkeligem Wetter – so bezeichnete man in meiner Familie Übelwetter. Es regnet stark und stürmt dazu.
      Habe eine feine Woche.
      Liebe Grüße von uns allen
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Dina hat die Anerkennung wirklich verdient, lieber Klausbernd! 🙂 Hier ist es heute zum ersten Mal wirklich herbstlich: neblig trueb. Aber weder windig noch kalt [27 Grad].
      Geniesst die Sauna und den Nachmittag und Abend,
      Pit

      Liked by 2 people

    • Danke, lieber Pit.
      Heute Morgen ist es sonnig und warm, was bei uns 6 Grad C bedeutet. Hanne bearbeitet Bilder, und ich muss mich gleich per FaceTime mit einer Klientin in Österreich unterhalten und dann geht’s ab in den Garten.
      Das finden wir auch, dass unsere liebe Dina alle Anerkennung, die sie gerade bekommt, sich redlich verdient hat – und stolz sind wir auf sie.
      Mit ganz lieben Grüßen
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Lieber Klausbernd,
      hier ist es auch sonnig, aber – nach Nachtfrost – noch etwas kalt. Eigentlich sollte ich zwar auch in den Garten, aber mal sehen. Vielleicht nehme ich es wieder als willkommene Entschuldigung, dass es ein wenig kalt ist. Ich bin eben ein Faulpelz.
      Liebe Gruesse,
      Pit

      Liked by 2 people

    • Lieber Pit,
      wir haben wunderschönes Wetter, aber auch wir gehen nicht in den Garten, da Masterchen die Aufnahme seines Podcasts über Hässlichkeit für heute Abend vorbereiten muss und Dina Bilder bearbeitet, aber sich gerade Wanderschuhe im Netz aussucht. Das wird neben vielen Büchern ein Weihnachtsgeschenk von Masterchen sein.
      Uns geht es gut. Wir sind bereits mehr oder weniger im Ferienmodus.
      Mit lieben Grüßen nach Texas
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Hallo Ihr Lieben,
      im Prinzip ist das Wetter hier ja auch wunderschoen: kalte Naechte und sonnige kuehle Tage. Nur der Regen fehlt uns doch sehr.
      Heute Morgen war schon ganz frueh Arbeit angesagt. Wir bekommen zwei neue Fenster, Eines davon im “Buero”, der einen Haelfte unserer alten [ans Haus angebauten] Garage. Das ist zur Zeit der fast staendige Aufenthaltsraum von Sister Fidelma, und so musste sie umziehen, ebenso wie die anderen Katzen. Eine Haelfte der alten Garage (am Haus) ist deren “Zimmer”, und da muessen die Handwerker durch. Also haben wir fuer heute alle in meinem Workshop in der neuen Garage untergebracht, und dann die alte Garage gruendlich gefegt. Tja, so kommt man schon am fruehen Morgen ans Arbeiten, auch wenn wir etwas Zeit gehabt haetten. Angesagt war zwar zwischen 8 und 10 Uhr, aber wir wussten eigentlich schon vorher, dass es spaeter werden wuerde. 8 bis 10 Uhr ist einfach das erste Zeitfenster, das am Tage zur Verfuegung steht, wobei 8 Uhr der Arbeitsbeginn der Leute ist, und zwar in Austin. Da muessen sie dann erst Alles einladen, sodass sie normalerweise erst gegen 9 losfahren koennen. Und die Fahrt von Austin nach hier dauert fast anderthalb Stunden. Aber wir wollten einfach Alles rechtzeitig erledigt haben. Jetzt warten wir dann darauf, dass sie hier eintreffen. Und wenn das erledigt ist, dann haben wir im ganzen Haus neue Fenster, mit wesentlich besserem Isolationsverhalten.
      So, die liebe Dina bekommt also zu Weihnachten feine neue Wanderschuhe. Ich habe meine schon vor ein paar Wochen bekommen. Ich hatte ja im Lost Maples Park schlechte Erfahrungen gemacht, weil ich da meine Cowboystiefel an hatte. Jetzt habe ich dann ein paar richtige “hiking-boots” – feste und etwas ueber den Knoechel gehende Schuhe von Salomon.
      Im Ferienmodus sind wir hier eigentlich immer. Jetzt kommt noch der Weihnachtszeitmodus dazu. Und wir lassen uns den auch nicht von den Umstaenden verderben.
      Liebe Gruesse, macht’s gut, und vor Allem, bleibt gesund,
      Pit

      Liked by 2 people

    • Lieber Pit,
      du hast recht, auch bei uns gibt es keinen signifikanten Unterschied zwischen Ferien- und normalen Modus – außer dass wir im Ferienmodus mehr essen und trinken 😉
      Du Lieber, bleibt du auch gesund und munter. Ganz liebe Grüße
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    • Lieber Klausbernd,
      das mit dem mehr Essen im Ferienmodus trifft normalerweise auch auf uns zu. Es ist wirklich selten, dass ich bei solchen Feiertagen mein Gewicht halte, und noch seltener, dass ich dann abnehme. In Port Aransas muessen wir uebrigens wirklich im Ferienmodus gewesen sein, denn ich habe gleich ein paar Pfund zugenommen. 😦 Und wenn ich die Bilder von unseren Abendessen anschaue, dann frage ich mich, wieso ich nicht sogar ein paar KILO zugenommen habe. 😉 Ich weiss noch gar nicht, ob ich alle Bilder davon zeigen soll, damit ich nicht fuer total verfressen gehalten werde. Aber wir wollten uns, wo wir nun schon einmal an der Kueste waren, an Seafood wirklich guetlich tun.
      Liebe Gruesse,
      Pit

      Liked by 2 people

    • Lieber Pit,
      Siri 🙂 und 🙂 Selma haben bei uns von jetzt bis Ende Januar zu Dinas Geburtstag alle Waagen versteckt. Es wird nicht aufs Gewicht geachtet. Im Februar werden wir dann mit unserem Teilfasten wieder das Schlanksein anstreben. Bislang ging das immer gut nach Zeiten der Völlerei. Damit kommt man übrigens nach Dante in den dritten Kreis der Hölle, wo man vom Cerberus gequält wird. Da verlassen wir uns aufs Dinalein, die sich bestens mit Hunden versteht und Hundisch spricht.
      Liebe Grüße vom kleinen Dorf am großen Meer
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

    • Lieber Klausbernd,
      wir haben immer eine gute Entschuldigung: unsere Waage spinnt! 😉 Aber ganz im Ernst: die kann tatsaechlich mal von einem auf den anderen Tag einen Gewichtssprung von bis zu plus oder minus 5 Pfund (!!) anzeigen. Das nehmen wir dann wirklich nicht Ernst. Langfristig scheint sie aber (im Mittel) Recht zu haben.
      Liebe Guesse, und macht’s gut,
      Pit

      Liked by 1 person

    • Lieber Pit,
      ich las irgendwo, dass bei jeder Personenwaage eigentlich 3x gewogen werden soll. Man nimmt dann den Mittelwert. Mir fiel auf, dass unsere elektronische Waage bei 3x wiegen wirklich 3 unterschiedliche Werte anzeigt. Nur wenn ich zu viel wiege, wiege ich nochmal und nehme natürlich den niedrigeren Wert 😉
      Hier regnet es.
      Liebe Grüße
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Like

    • Lieber Klausbernd
      Mit dem Mittelwert aus 3 x Wiegen koenntest Du durchaus recht haben. Aber schone ist es ja auch, wenn man einfach der Waage die Schuld geben kann.
      Hier ist es mal wieder kalt und sonnig. Eigentlich wunderbar, wenn da nicht der fehlende Regen waere.
      Liebe Gruesse, und habt eine feine Weihnachtswoche,
      Pit

      Liked by 2 people

    • Wir schicken euch etwas Regen hinüber, lieber Pit. Uns wäre Schnee lieber. Ich kann mich nicht mehr erinnern, wann ich zum letzten Mal weiße Weihnachten erlebt habe.
      Hab’s fein
      Klausbernd 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

  31. I had no idea what to expect from the post’s title: perhaps Dina expounding on the best varieties of tea, and posting recipes for bread that makes good toast? Obviously, I was wrong, and I enjoyed every bit of this: the images, the interview, and of course the seals. Your landscape is so beautiful, and your approach to preserving it is even more beautiful. This was a bright spot in a world often too obsessed with the negative and nasty!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Dear Linda,
      thank you VERY much for your kind words 🙂 🙂
      Actually, we don’t think that the world is nasty and negative right now. We suppose we live in times of quite some changes. We all have to change our lifestyle. The last time humanity experienced such a drastic change was probably at the beginning of the industrial revolution. People are always afraid of changes and what you are afraid of you tend to call nasty and judge it as negative (Freud saw this already about a hundred years ago). Of course, it’s easy for us to see the world like this because we are in a privileged situation. We love to stay at home, have enough space there and a big garden, and we have travelled enough that travelling lost its attraction. Anyway, we suppose that’s a kind of training session right now for a new way of life that’s hopefully more climate and nature friendly.
      As Dina shows us, there is a lot of positive in our world as well. It’s always a question of focusing, of perception.
      We wish you a wonderful, cosy and happy festive season. Stay well
      The Fab Four of Cley
      🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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