"Reading books means going on a hike to distant worlds,
from the parlors, about the stars."
Jean Paul
I had planned to share a little bit about my reading ...
Commissioner Dupin
First, we picked up two more editions of the book series, Commissioner Dupin, by Jean-Luc Bannalec. These Brittany crime novels are just too beautiful. A tribute to Brittany and especially to the Bretons. - Now I have also read it. Inspector Dupin's eighth case, Breton Legacy, which is supposed to be set right outside the restaurant door of Dupin's favorite restaurant, "the Admiral" in Concarneau. After No. Seven I had briefly thought what is to come. But it remained exciting until the last page.
In the seventh volume, Breton Secrets, we go to the forest of Brocéliande and thus in the middle of the enchanted forest. Who has not heard of the legend of King Arthur? - But what I found particularly exciting is that in the story a place occurs, which is not only on our tour planning, but has also played a role in my past. But more about that later. The Château de Montségur - where the weather could put a spoke in our wheel. The most famous castle of the Cathars is located at an altitude of 1200 m, on a rocky mountain on the northern slope of the eastern Pyrenees.
Volume Six- Breton Glow is set among the pink granite rocks of the Côte d'Armor. Inspector Dupin could take a vacation... Volume Five- Breton Tide takes our Inspector Dupin into the world of fishermen, the purest eco-crime novel. - Volume four, Breton Pride is set in the environment of the oyster farmers. Although Dupin himself doesn't eat oysters, he describes the shellfish perfectly. Volume three, Breton Gold is set in the world of salt marshes on the Guérande Peninsula. The world-famous fleur de sel is in the air. But the world of the salt workers doesn't seem quite so wholesome. Volume two, Breton Surf is set on the Glénan Islands. The descriptions of the islands alone, with their supposedly white sand, crystal clear waters as a sort of Caribbean paradise, should be reason enough to take another look. Because by the time I read this novel, we had already left Brittany. Volume one Breton Circumstances is set in the artists' village of Pont Aven - These crime novels make you want to go to Brittany so much that it should be required reading for anyone who intends to visit. (Note from Torgit: Unfortunately, we had such bad weather in Brittany that we quickly moved on. Visiting the islands makes no sense in the rain. But we definitely have to go there again. With better weather).
What I like so much about these mystery novels is the way Inspector Dupin describes restaurants, eateries, and locales. Here is a small reading sample, from his fifth case, Breton Tide:
"At the sea, the sky was always wide, gigantically wide, yes, but here on the island it seemed even wider, even higher, it billowed, stretched, stretched everywhere, even the vast Atlantic Ocean became merely a narrow flashing strip beneath it. Like a powerful wide-angle lens looked through while lying down, that was exactly the effect, Dupin thought. And this impression, it was certain, was one of those that gave the island its special atmosphere. It was a feeling of infinite vastness that made one feel very small - and free at the same time. Strangely free. Dangerously free, perhaps." - Horny or?
PS: Breton Specialties: Inspector Dupin's ninth case is scheduled for release on June 16, 2020. - We have it penciled in.
update May 2021: We have of course read the 9th case by now, and the 10th case is ordered. We are really looking forward to it 🙂
An anarchist banker
As you know, our tour continued through Portugal. From my point of view, this also includes reading a book by Fernando Pessoa. After all, he is one of the most important lyricists in Portugal.
For me, this was reason enough to search our bookshelf in Cologne for a very specific book. Because there's a book by Pessoa there that I'm particularly taken with. When two friends, independently of each other, recommend a book to you, you should read it. For me it was "An Anarchist Banker". Both my friend of many years Uwe from Berlin, and my old Hortenführer with the Wandervögeln Tabbu, or in real life Holger, gave me this book almost at the same time. Could be because both are old revolutionaries at heart.
The book describes, in a kind of monologue, a conversation between a businessman and banker, which he has one evening with a guest in his house. The same guest questions that he had heard that his host had been an anarchist in the past. Contrary to all expectations, the latter not only openly admits that this is the case, but also explains that he is still a convinced anarchist today. His guest is, of course, appropriately puzzled as to how the life of a banker can be reconciled with that of an anarchist. The banker explains why he was almost forced to become rich in order to continue to represent his ideals. His chain of reasoning seems so real that in the end one thinks that the true anarchist must become a banker, the true banker is a consistent anarchist.
I find this book so exciting, on the one hand, because revolutionary thinking and money seem to be compatible. On the other hand, because it was written under the impressions and political turmoil of the young Portuguese Republic. The book was published in 1922. As recently as October 1921, troops of the republican National Guard GNR had attempted an overthrow of the government.
So we can be glad that today's GNR is only a danger for us, in terms of a parking ticket for wild camping.
Fish
Along the way, I rediscovered a valuable book. - "More Fish." This is the second volume of a three-part book series. The first volume, I was given many years ago, by my good friend Susanne. Volume number one "Fish, an unusual motivational book", is exactly what the title describes. Motivation is transported in an incredible way.
This reflects the philosophy of the Pike Place Fish Market. Simple rules for happy people in the workplace or should I say playground? John Christensen, the author created this philosophy to create a "team culture". The Pike Place Fish Market in Seattle has become world famous. Simple fish vendors have become stars.
Yet the "rules" are so simple and everyone, really everyone, can apply them in their daily work. What seems like a show at the fish sale in Seattle is part of the whole thing. There, fish fly through the air, jokes are made, customers get involved. A routine and bone-headed job turns into fun and games. - All you have to do is heed the following four principles:
1. choose your setting
We all have the free choice, we can decide, not always if, but with which attitude we do our work. Tobias Beck would say, like residents, complain and complain or make the best of it. Even if we can't change the circumstances, we still have the freedom to change the attitude. - "Love it, leave it or change it." and just out here it shows how simple "change it" can be.
2. fun and games!
A workplace can also be a playground. We should just awaken our inner child again. The little man who played for hours, who never needed to be motivated. Give yourself permission to have fun and play even at work. You only have a little room to create, so start small. Bring plants, hang pictures, start playing. That's ridiculous? - That's fine!
3. bring joy to others
If you give joy to others, you yourself will feel joy as the giver. Rich is not he who has much, but he who gives much.
Make your colleagues, employees, managers and customers happy. Be on the lookout for such opportunities. In the long run, you will improve the work atmosphere enormously and have positive feelings yourself throughout the day.
4. be present!
Live in the here and now, live in presence, be present. - Be fully present, no matter whether you are on the phone, reading or doing whatever. Not doing everything at the same time is pure self-protection, because it prevents burn-out.
In volume two, "Even more FISH", you get to know lots of "little fish". This volume provides lots of ideas on how to incorporate the Fish!™ strategy into everyday life, whether in private or at work. This is how it becomes a vocation.
Volume three "Forever FISH" concludes by showing how to anchor the Fish philosophy and keep motivation fresh, which is important at Fish.
On the subject of death
"Death smiles at us all, the only thing to do is smile back!"
Marcus Aurelius
Dying is part of life. - But to deal with the topic at times can not hurt. Under the button - R.I.P - Aga - you can read again how I come to this topic. On the subject of death:
No.1 - "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. - The story of the young girl Liesel, during the war years in Nazi Germany. - The special thing about it, is not only but especially, the perspective of death, which approaches the girl again and again.
No. 2- "5 Things Dying People Regret Most". by the Australian Bronnie Ware. - She accompanied dying people in the last weeks of their lives. In her book, she brings it down to five elementary points: To have the courage to live your own life - to work less - to express your feelings - to cultivate friendships, to treat yourself to friends.
Realization of the day: To death I have only one realization, to live again and again as if it were the last day. - This is challenge enough!
PS: Here you can find our SpaceCampers Equipment details, our SpaceCamper Expansion, the SpaceCamper Detail equipment "Last Call, as well as SpaceCamper Insider tips.
Here our TERRANGER Offroad modifications, info about the topics Terranger off-road driving training, Energy management, DIY Water tanks, DIY Rear carrier system, Vehicle Security & Anti-Theft, Pit stop at delta4x4, Sand sheets, Vehicle foiling and Ceramic sealing.
To round off the topic Product piracy with offroad tuners.
The topics Packing list, Tips & Tricks, BUTCH & Friends, Home port, the Travel blogs, the subject HAPPINESS MUSCLE as well as About us we have dedicated separate sections. You can contact us here.
And last but not least here is our link overview "Follow the Sun". So you know where you can still follow us.
You will find your way around. 😎 If you like the posts, tell and share it, thank you!
Note: Our packing lists contain our personal product recommendations with so-called affiliate links. Don't worry: Nothing will change for you. The products will not become more expensive. If you buy something through one of these links, we get a small commission. It doesn't matter if you buy exactly the linked item or something else. In 2020, we have earned € 29.87 😉 Maybe we will still be rich. Since we live on our savings, you support our planBwagen and we can take you even longer on the road. Thanks a million!
English 
German 
Italian 
French 
Japanese 
Dutch 
Spanish
Recent Comments