Yikes ... how time flies! It seems we just got through the holidays, and already the new year is knocking on the door. So - even if it is a bit late: A happy and healthy 2012!

We had plenty to do in the past two weeks and lots of fallen branches and twigs had to be cut up and shredded. The storms - the latest being storm Andrea - brought tons of rain and storm surges with widespread flooding of the countryside. This was especially bad in the low-lying areas of Butjadingen and turned many pastures into lakes. We have lived here for more than 20 years now, but never have I seen ALL the trenches this full! Michael has suggested a couple of times that it might be wise to start building an ark ;-). What a difference to last winter, which had granted us so much snow and ice! With these mild temperatures the first Wolf\'s Bane blossoms are showing and each stroll through the countryside turns into a mud walk. But maybe it´s on its way - winter! With much frost for skating and snow to go sliding down the dyke. I for one have not given up hope yet and ordered two sleds despite the mild temperatures - and the snow shovels stand at the ready!

We took the pictures during the first week of January. They show, among other things, the sluice at Iffens and Stollhamm. When the water level is back to normal, I shall take more pictures for comparison.

Stay healthy and happy surfing ...

Stephanie Lake