tuk tuk no good

Waiting for the rain

It’s funny how now that we have a garden and growing a lot of vegetables, I think and wish for rain. This weekend we waited eagerly for the predicted thunderstorm but it never came. The best we got was some drizzle. And of course we got rained on during the Sternfahrt, which we participated in from Ludwigsfelde to Berlin. We rode around 60km by bike today (and 100km over the past few days) – let’s see what kind of aches and pains I will endure tomorrow.
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One month (without) plastic challenge

Artur and I have always made an effort to reduce our plastic usage – whether it be saying no to plastic bags, not buying vegetables wrapped in plastic or never buying coffee in a takeaway cup. But I decided, let’s try and make more of an effort. For the next month, we have to attempt to not buy anything plastic. I don’t know how successful we will be (I already see wet cat food as a problem), but we may as well try. Let’s see how easy (or hard) it is to really not buy anything new that is made of or packed in plastic.

Two long weekends

The biggest news of the past two weeks- all four of our chickens are now laying eggs! This means four a day and no more buying eggs again.

We do have some problems with them though – they love eating our flowers too much. Artur’s mum planted many beautiful flowers under this tree, but the chickens have pecked at most of them and like taking dirt baths in the soil here. [Read more…]

Some Thoughts on Marriage

People often ask me why I refer to Artur as my boyfriend and not my husband. Firstly, I do not like the word ‘husband’. To me, it somehow seems old, as well as old fashioned. Secondly, we only got married for visa reasons. We may be a happy couple, but the only reason we got married was to make things easier. [Read more…]

Springtime

I haven’t updated our progress in a while, so I will just share photos from the past few weeks of the biggest changes.

Last weekend was a monumental weekend – we got internet, a fridge and a washing machine. Artur’s parents came for a week and brought a carload of plants. We also gave our a house a facelift (paint job). AND we got chickens.
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Living a split life

Monday to Thursdays in Berlin, Fridays to Sundays in Brandenburg. Only 70km separates Neukölln from Fröhden, yet they are worlds apart.

I work my tech job during the week then put my gumboots on and play a farmer over the weekend. I see the difference in the way I dress – black and fitted in Berlin, baggy and ‘dirty’ in Fröhden. I remember the first few times I wore tracksuit pants or paint stained clothing to do shopping in Brandenburg – I felt so ashamed. Now it feels almost natural. Socialising in Berlin revolves around (normally too much) alcohol, whereas in Fröhden, we speak with our neighbours, Brandenburgers that are middle aged or older. Time spent with friends is more meaningful as we are in a closer proximity for a longer amount of time, often working on shared goals, whether it be painting or planting.
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