We arrived Saturday, safe and sound, although after planes and trains connections a bit tired. We are now in the Lower Saxony area where my in-laws live, we didn’t really see Berlin but we’ll go back there just before we leave. The weather is such a nice change of pace from Texas. We have had sunny days, a bit of rain of course but such moderate temperatures.

On Sunday we went to Leiferde to visit a bird station. My husband volunteered there before his college days and had told me of the work they did to save some of the birds before releasing them back to the wild. We got to see some owls, ravens, parrots and a few other animals.

I love seeing life in small German towns, especially on Sundays. You see people of all ages riding around on their bikes. Stores aren’t open so it’s time for families and friends to spend together. I like that. I dream of one day being a little old lady riding around on my bike in Germany. My bike basket will be filled with some books, a bottle of apfelschorle (carbonated mineral water and apple juice) and a bag of cherries for snacks as I make my way to a nice park. Doesn’t that sound dreamy?

Anyway, as we were heading out of Leiferde what do we see? A little bookshop! I tell you, my Bookgirl radar is always on.

I didn’t expect to find anything for me but we had to stop. The bookshop is only open on the first Sunday of the month and sells used books with all proceeds going to a charity. I was sort of expecting to see books in a jumble but actually all were in their proper section. We saw books on photography, gardening, fiction and best of all for me, books in English. I ended up buying The China Governess by Margery Allingham. I’ve not read any of her books but whenever I see those “Best of Lists” for crime fiction her name is always on there.

Good thing I found a book too because I’ve already gone through three of my books (actually almost four). Those long flights and train rides make for perfect reading time. I finished In A Dry Season by Peter Robinson and Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. Both were very enjoyable reads and I promise to tell you more about them soon.

For now, it’s time to settle down with some books. More updates from Germany soon.

Germany here we come!

I’m posting this entry a bit early because we have to catch an early flight on Friday. I’m not a morning person so I’m not looking forward to that but I’m set. I’ve got my books, journal, movies on the iPod (even yoga podcasts!) and so now it’s on to our adventure.

We look forward to being with our family and friends. Of course we’ll be indulging in lots of yummy bread from the bakeries, lots of hikes, going back to favorite places, going to new places, relaxing with books and just enjoying life.

I’ll try to blog a bit (and blog hop of course) but my computer time will be limited so regular posting will resume when we return on August 24.

You guys read lots of good books and enjoy the rest of the summer. Oh yes, and I promise lots of pictures.