Friday 7^th October.

It’s raining. Steady, heavy rain. There is little reprieve. Andrew and I play virtual chess and the girls don raincoats and play in the park. Both babies soon return, crying with wet, cold and hunger.

We have no food and our laundry is now spilling over the sides of the laundry basket.

Quickly changing the girls, we jump in the car. Stopping first at the laundry room here on site. It’s cheaper here and we manage to load all 4 machines.

Our shop with Lidl set us back 40€ and this will last all 6 of us about 3 days. We’re shopping well, but I know we can do better.

After an afternoon of goofing around at the ‘van, we head out late at about 6.30 to see if we can find the local castle.

Dusk is approaching, so we need to be fast. A nice evening brisk walk will suit us, and the rain has stopped briefly.

The castle is about 450m above sea level and the view of the Edersee is stunning. The water now almost gone, leaves the bed visible, meandering visibly between the steep hills to each side. At the end there is a Dam which will be visiting tomorrow with the Labyrinth.

That evening we teach the children how to play poker. Emily clears the table.