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Last year, in August 2024, we planted 120 Paulownias. Of course… August is not exactly the ideal time to plant trees. Lesson learned. So this year we decided to do it properly — planting at the end of winter, when the trees are still dormant and the soil is ready to welcome them. This time the plan was much bigger. Two large fields needed to be planted, and we were aiming for 400 to 500 trees . That required some serious preparation. The Master Plan   Before a single hole was dug, there was a plan — a very detailed one. Maaike gathered advice from different sources and combined everything into one large design . Imagine nearly 4 hectares of land drawn on a big sheet of paper, filled with endless circles of different sizes representing different tree species. Each circle carefully numbered, each number linked to a legend explaining what tree would grow there. In the end it was a piece of art. A Wet Spanish Winter The winter of 2025–2026 in Spain was extremely wet. Record-breaking we...

It is almost the end of February 2026, and we’ve already had some wonderfully sunny and warm days. It makes it tempting to think that winter is over. We know better, of course — last year we still had cold days well into May. But from a solar power perspective , we can safely say: winter is behind us. Naturally, the first question is: how did it go? Was there enough energy? That question can be answered in many ways. We knew in advance that we would not have enough energy during winter — and that was by design. To generate sufficient solar power on the shortest day of the year, December 21st, we would need so many panels that for the rest of the year we’d be drowning in excess energy. On top of that, such a system would simply be far too expensive. In winter, we don’t just get less sun — we also need more energy . As temperatures drop, we try to heat the houses as much as possible using electricity. Demand goes up exactly when production goes down. And then there’s the heat pumps...

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 ...

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! 

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 ...