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The first two months in Spain

And then it was the summer of 2025, the moment we have been saying for some years that we would move to Spain and so we did! On the 18th of august Maaike, Trisa and Riva left by train to move to Spain. Tibor was finishing his job at ANWB and followed on the 5th of September. leaving from amsterdam cs   The first weeks were holiday times. Which for the kids meant spending a lot of time at the yurt, with Mirthe, Rick and Vos, working on an art project with Sanny and swimming in the river. For Maaike it meant making the big house more livable, improving the water supply and arranging stuff like insurance, permits and school stuff.We also received the keys of our rented apartment in Briviesca and we made some trips with the Bakfiets. That was fun, we were quite a show for the Spanish people who saw us cycling.     Trisa with Cynthia, second hand shopping in Burgos , in the yurt, harvesting salt with Carlos, getting water in Castil de Lences , more water pipes for more ...
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Surroundings

Every time I think life is finally slowing down and I’ll have more time to sit down and write. But then something new pops up that takes priority. I really don’t want to let this space go quiet for too long, so I figured I’d start again with something easy—this time with some photos and videos from the surroundings. Here I was working on extra solar panels I’ve got a whole list of plans waiting for me, and as soon as I arrive in Bárcena I’ll dive right in. At the same time, we had visitors, which is the perfect excuse to give a little tour of the village—and for me, a chance to look around with fresh eyes as well. Here a small video made by a friend. And then there are our neighbors, who live here full-time and always manage to capture the most beautiful moments of the village. So today, I’m sharing a mix: some of their photos, some of mine, and a glimpse of the place as it is right now. Enjoy! 

travelling to Bárcena without a car

Since I was travelling alone to Bárcena for the festival and I don't have a drivers license, I couldn't use a car to go there. Therefor I rented an electrical bike in Burgos.  There are nice bicycle routes in Spain on former train tracks called viasverdes. One of them is Camino: Santander - Mediterranean Railway (Burgos - La Engaña Tunnel) Greenway Nature Trail. https://viasverdes.com/en/itineraries/santander-mediterraneo-burgos-la-enga%C3%B1a/mapa.asp This part of the viasverdes starts close to Burgos and passes close to Bárcena, about 4 kilometers in Arconada. Of course on my way there I didn't take a lot of pictures, but on the way back there will be more. It was a very nice route to Arconada, passing the village we normally pass by car when we drive to Burgos. Since I past Arconada I decided to see if I could find Victor and I did. I met Maria, saw there honey making machine and they offered me lunch! Then after that I had to cycle the last etappe to Bárcena, which was ...

The poetry festival

It was in May that our friend Dorien asked us if she could organize a poetry festival. We didn’t have to think about that: of course she could! We were happy to do something for Dorien, for all the help we get from her. And wow how nice is that: a festival in Bárcena! The festival was to take place on the 14 th of September. In the summer we already met some of the artists, who were there to get inspiration. And of course the organization who was preparing the festival. Unfortunately the 14 th of September was not during a children’s holiday in the Netherlands, so Maaike went on her own and without a car that was a bit of a challenge. We will spent a small blog about the journey to Bárcena without a car. I arrived on the 12 th of September, so I was able to see all the last preparation, which was already quite fun! On the 13 th there already was a sort of teaser for the festival, with images shown on the walls from light...