Cycling – Ice and Fire – by J‑C Berthon

July 29, 2025July 29, 2025

Day Two: Scrambled Plans and NRW Wilderness

We woke around 7:00 and started the day with a modest breakfast: a cereal bar and some scrambled eggs; Rührei, as the Germans call it. Flynn took the lead in our field kitchen, and I was assigned the role of apprentice. Fair division of labour.

Today, there were fewer photo stops. Jean-Christophe had promised Flynn no diversions for wildflowers photography or wild blackberries tasting. A hard promise to keep for him, but fair enough.

We rode through Dülmen, where we made time for a second breakfast – a German tradition which Jean-Christophe was happy to discover. Then we left the town behind, passt the old gates and headed towards Lüdinghausen, with Burg Vischering as our next culinary goal.

The scenery along the way was amazingly peaceful with humming fields, cooling forests, gliding storks, and a lone maypole near a cozy fire circle. Part of the route took us along a stretch I had cycled a month earlier on the way to Münster.

At Burg Vischering, we paused for drinks and hoped for a bit of cake or ice cream. (especially Flynn wanted soft ice) Unfortunately, the ice cream machine was out of order for the day, and the only drinks available were fizzy – not Flynn’s favourite. Disappointment was quickly put aside with the help of home made cookies, and we moved on.

The road to Olfen remained pleasant, but time began to press. Jean-Christophe had an appointment later in the afternoon, and we needed to keep a steady pace. We reached Olfen and Flynn – exhausted – deserved an ice cream and was finally rewarded! He, after 88 km in two days, was understandably worn out. Vera kindly came to meet us near Henrichenburg, where Flynn wrapped up his journey.

Jean-Christophe continued alone to Lünen, this time without the panniers — a lighter finish.

Spending time like this – Father-Child – was truly special. Jean-Christophe hopes to have similar moments with his other children too – on bikes or feet, under the open sky, and with time to just be together.

July 23, 2025July 24, 2025

Day One: A Detour or Two

Our cycling trip got off to a slightly wobbly start. After 488 meters – yes, meters – Flynn’s rear derailleur gave up. Not something we could fix roadside, so we turned back, swapped bikes, and tried again. Second departure: successful.

The forecast had promised dry skies after 10:00. At 11:00, the sky disagreed. Whatever was falling wasn’t technically rain – or so we told ourselves – but it soaked us just the same.

I had a route plan. A gentle stop after 2 km to buy sandwiches. A coffee break 10 km later. Then we’d eat the sandwiches. Later still, cake and another coffee. Flynn wasn’t particularly aligned with this schedule. But we did at least stop for the sandwiches.

We also stopped more often than planned to take shelter from some heavy showers.

The fields we rode through were beautiful – full of wildflowers. I couldn’t resist taking a few photos along the way. Then came blackberries. Another pause. Flynn’s patience began to show signs of strain. Fair enough. We agreed to tone down the stops.

The path through the Haard forest was a highlight – green, peaceful, and definitely uphill. I reassured Flynn it was the last climb, and that from there it would be downhill all the way – at least, that’s what my navigation said. But just like the weather earlier, reality had its own plan. One more hill appeared… and that one was on me – I’d missed a turn. So for once, the forecast had been right – we just didn’t follow it. We passed a firefighter observation tower along the way and, naturally, climbed to the top.

A proper pause in Haltern am See gave us a bit of a breather before heading on toward Dülmen and our campsite near the lake.

Dinner – pasta with Bolognese – was served just as the first raindrops returned. We made it into the tent in time. Outside: a steady downpour. Inside: dry and warm.

Better hurry with the pasta, storm is coming

July 23, 2025July 23, 2025

A Short Escape on Two Wheels

With school now closed, my son’s boredom has started to show – a mix of restlessness and that familiar “what now?” look.

To break the routine a bit, we’re planning a small father-son cycling trip. Over the course of two days, we’ll be riding through the countryside around Haltern, Dülmen, and Lüdinghausen, with a tent strapped to the bikes and no fixed schedule.

Just a chance to slow down, camp outdoors, and spend some time together – away from screens and closer to trees … and the rain gods :-D.

June 14, 2025June 21, 2025

Fin de l’escapade dans le Münsterland

Hier n’était pas la meilleure journée pour profiter du parc naturel de Rieselfelder Münster : il faisait très chaud, sans nuage ni beaucoup d’arbres. Mais c’était très joli et j’y retournerais avec plaisir.

Je suis donc reparti sur la route en direction de la maison. Il faisait très chaud pour faire du vélo, il faut donc s’hydrater régulièrement et j’avais bêtement oublié de prendre de la crème solaire. Ces derniers temps, il faisait frais et il fallait naviguer entre les nuages de pluie. Bref, j’ai légèrement rougi au niveau du nez et dans la nuque, et à mon arrivée, je ne me sentais pas au mieux.

Je n’ai pris que peu de photos sur le retour, car le chemin était le même qu’à l’aller, et je n’ai fait des pauses que pour m’hydrater. Voici tout de même quelques souvenirs jolis glanés le long de mon chemin, dont notamment un bouchon sur la piste cyclable !

Étang aux oiseaux - Rieselfelder Münster — Étang aux oiseaux – Rieselfelder Münster

Embouteillage sur la piste cyclable — Étang aux oiseaux – Rieselfelder Münster

June 13, 2025June 21, 2025

À la découverte des Rieselfelder Münster

Un Rieselfeld est un lit filtrant ou champ d’épuration. Le mot allemand est très poétique, car il fait référence au ruissellement léger de l’eau dans de vastes champs. C’est une jolie métaphore du temps qui passe, lentement et patiemment. Parfait pour clôturer mon petit périple. Vous vous demandez sûrement si je n’aurais pas pèté un câble car où diable trouver le calme et la ressource dans un lieu de traitement des eaux usées !

Ce site a été transformé en zone naturelle protégée vers 1978. À l’origine, il s’agissait d’une lande qui a été transformée au début du XXe siècle pour filtrer les eaux usées. Mais depuis, elle ne sert plus à cet usage et la nature y a repris ses droits. Ici, le calme règne, les nombreux oiseaux chantent et les insectes vrombissent de plaisir. Un petit paradis du ruissellement lent du temps.

Hutte d’observation – mais où sont les hippopotames ?

Prendre le temps d’écrire et d’être „achtsam“.

June 12, 2025June 21, 2025

Münster et le lac Aasee

Aujourd’hui, je suis allé à la découverte du lac Aasee que j’ai croisé hier sur ma route.

En voyant les angéliques sur le bord du lac, j’ai eu envie de dessiner. Je débute encore en dessin, mais j’aime bien ce premier essai.

June 12, 2025June 21, 2025

Prendre le temps – voyage à Münster

J’ai décidé de prendre le temps. Le travail, la vie de famille, une maison, des activités, etc. font partie de ma vie quotidienne, et il arrive souvent que l’on se laisse emporter par le tumulte des flots sans arriver à aller dans la direction que l’on souhaite. On navigue alors pour éviter de s’échoir.

Chi va piano, va sano e lontano.

Celui qui sait prendre le temps ira sûrement et longtemps, dit un dicton. C’est pourquoi j’ai décidé de partir pour un court voyage de trois jours à Münster en Rhénanie-du-Nord-Westphalie. Trois jours pour penser, dessiner, écrire et découvrir.

Bien sûr, je n’ai pas pris la voiture pour venir ici, mais bien évidemment le vélo. Soixante-deux kilomètres le long de canaux, de forêts et de champs. J’ai eu de la chance, car il faisait parfaitement beau, avec un petit 20 °C, ce qui est idéal pour le vélo.

Voici une petite galerie de photos le long de la route.

May 12, 2014May 12, 2014

Comments blocked on Magical World

Today I took the decision to block all comments on Magical World.

Spammers are currently flooding the blog with spam which are filling up our backend database (it is a small and cheap hosting service). Although all spam are captured by our spam filter, we end up with our hosting service provider blocking SQL insert and update statements. It basically freezes our website.

In the near future I will evaluate a better solution and restore comments. But for the time being, feedback can be provided to us via the contact us page.

July 16, 2010July 16, 2010

An Icelandic Saga

We are on the edge to write a new Icelandic saga. In a few days, we will embark on a plane direction: Iceland.

10 years ago we were leaving Iceland after an incredible time there. Now we are going back with our bicycle to explore it differently.

Iceland is an amazing place, but it is a difficult one too, especially on a bike. The weather is harsh, the wind strong, the roads are tricky and bridges only exist on road #1! But Iceland is a magical place, it’s wild, it’s colourful, it’s warm and cold.

Just let’s go exploring it!
Continue reading “An Icelandic Saga”

September 6, 2008February 2, 2009

On the road again

One month ago, we were back from our trip around the world. That was an amasing experience, it is so much a different way of travelling and getting to know other cultures! You may have read all about our experience along our way or seen our photographs from so many countries: Russia, Mongolia, China, Nepal, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar (Burma), Sydney, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Easter Island, and the northern Chile and Argentina.

And we did not get it enough from it! There are still so many places that we want to see, so many things to experience. So we decided to go again on the road.

Not too long, not too many countries this time, and changing of means of transport. Our next adventure will be in Patagonia (southern tip of South America, a region that encompass Chile and Argentina) on our own bicycle.

We will be touring Patagonia for a little less than 3 months with the up and down of the road, weather and our physical and mental strengths. But we anticipate it as a great and rewarding journey.

As with our world trip, we will try along the road to write some of our feelings and experiences on our blog, a dedicated section will open soon. And if the internet connections are not too bad, we will even add new photographs!

There is a whole magical world there, and we are going to explore it!