When re-enactors bring early-medieval Frisia to life, they are often seen wearing a small iron hammer on a leather cord around their neck — symbolizing Mjölnir, the mighty weapon of the Norse god Thor. We regret to inform them that Mjölnir was not at all fashionable along the southern shores of the North Sea —Continue reading “Odin’s Ravens Ruled the Southern Shores. Not the Hammer of Thor”
Tag Archives: animals
Hengist and Horsa — Frisian Horses from Overseas That Founded the Kentish Kingdom
It is at the inn The Prancing Pony in the village of Bree that the Hobbits find refuge from the screeching Nazgûl on their coal-black horses. It is also here that they encounter Strider, the mysterious wanderer who is later revealed to be Aragorn — future king of the Reunited Kingdom. Horses, wanderers, fugitive royalty,Continue reading “Hengist and Horsa — Frisian Horses from Overseas That Founded the Kentish Kingdom”
Golden Calves, or Bursting Udders on Bony Legs?
Beauty is the best guarantee for quality and success. At least, this is how farmers in the province of Friesland thought of dairy cattle for (too) long. The better the exterieur ‘exterior’ of a cow, the better its milk yield. Velvety hide, size, expressive head, straight back, strong legs, sharply defined black and white spottedContinue reading “Golden Calves, or Bursting Udders on Bony Legs?”
Who’s Afraid of Voracious Woolf? — The Dread Beast Is Back
Who’s afraid of Jóða Fenris, ‘the offspring of Fenrir’? Afraid of hund hrynsævar hræva, ‘the hound of the roaring sea of corpses’? Who, today, fears the wolf? The dark creature that once haunted the shadowed forests of the East is rising again in Europe. Nearly two centuries have passed, yet the wolf has returned toContinue reading “Who’s Afraid of Voracious Woolf? — The Dread Beast Is Back”
Naranjas and Reservoir Dogs — Hiking the Coast to Coast Walk in Andalusia
In the final two weeks of 2021, one of the Frisian bastards hiked most of the Andalusian Coast to Coast Walk in Spain — a route stretching from Nerja to Bolonia, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. As hikers of the Frisia Coast Trail, any long-distance coast-to-coast path holds natural appeal. And hikingContinue reading “Naranjas and Reservoir Dogs — Hiking the Coast to Coast Walk in Andalusia”
Don’t Believe Everything They Say About Sweet Cunera
Imagine this: one day your husband brings home a young, unmarried woman. A virgin, even. He simply takes her into your house, openly shows her affection — and who knows what else. But that is not all. He also gives this maiden full access to your pantry and your savings account, which she — forContinue reading “Don’t Believe Everything They Say About Sweet Cunera”
Come to Rescue ‘The Rolling Sheep’
Hiking demands careful preparation, especially when it comes to personal safety. What is in your First Aid Kit? Do you have basic first aid skills to handle an accident? Unless you plan a solitary walk across the Wadden Sea mudflats, help is never far away on the Frisia Coast Trail. Provided you have a swimContinue reading “Come to Rescue ‘The Rolling Sheep’”
Happy Hunting Grounds in the Arctic. The Way the Whale’s Doom Was Sealed
If you want to track down who killed the whale, the Frisia Coast Trail region is the place to start. Stop people on the streets along this southern North Sea littoral and ask whether they know anything, and you will likely hear: “I hear nothing, I see nothing, I know nothing.” Politicians and officials —Continue reading “Happy Hunting Grounds in the Arctic. The Way the Whale’s Doom Was Sealed”
Rats with Wings, or Masters of the Sky
Over the past few years, we have written about the tall, strange-looking people who live in that twilight zone between sea and land — the coastal strip along the southern shores of the North Sea. Lately, however, the repetitive long-calls alerted us to a blind spot: we forgot all about the iconic animal of thatContinue reading “Rats with Wings, or Masters of the Sky”
Did You Dance With the Blue Light, Yet?
Want some magic while walking the Frisia Coast Trail? If you happen to walk the beach at night, expect the unexpected. Sure, you might see some elves and trolls, but we talk about a mesmerizing blue light in sea… following your footsteps. Spooky? No, it is magical! And, great fun! It is called Sea Sparkle.Continue reading “Did You Dance With the Blue Light, Yet?”
Frisia Coast Trail 