During our hike around the center of Altenau (Altenauer Runde) we came across the Okerteich, built in 1714 in the valley of the "Kleine Oker", which once served as an artificial pond to supply the mining mills along the "Schatzkammerzug" with water to power the machines.
We had already reported on the large number of artificially dammed ponds, which are so different in size, for use as backwater to operate the ancient mines in the Harz Mountains in the first article “Pixhaier & Schwarzenbacher Teich am Prahljust Campsite”.
The town of Altenau is quite centrally located in the Upper Harz, only about 10 kilometers from Clausthal-Zellerfeld in the west, Goslar is about 15 km to the north and Osterode am Harz is about 25 km to the south-west.
How well can I remember my childhood, when there was a lot of life and hustle and bustle at and on the Okertalsperre, the water level so high that you could “board” the big round trip on the MS Aquamarin at many points along the lake shore, the at that time it took almost 1.5 hours and could be started from any landing stage.
After driving along the Oker Reservoir we had driven up to the mountain town of Clausthal-Zellerfeld, where we wanted to look at the now fully restored Market Church of the Holy Spirit.
Traveling regionally again, this time we ended up in the Upper Harz near Clausthal-Zellerfeld at the Prahljust campsite, where we not only wanted to explore the cycling and hiking trails of the Harz, but also specifically the water supply for driving water wheels to generate energy for the former wanted to take a look at the Upper Harz ore mines.
We were coming back from Neuharlingersiel on the North Sea when Jochen chose county road 89 via Middoge, Tettens, Pievens and Oldorf for the way back.
It really was pure coincidence that our trip to the North Sea, which we had planned together with Brita and Gerda, fell on the weekend when the old town festival, which is well known far beyond the city limits of Jever, was being celebrated.
Our stay in Friesland had extended more than originally planned due to the extended visiting program, but there were many really interesting encounters with the local culture, which let the time flying by.
We discovered a strange-looking vehicle on the Pilsum dyke during our tour with Laura von Emden along the coast: a mudflat or mud sled, which is also called Kreier here in the region.
The following day brought us another wonderful excursion, this time through the Ammerland to Barßel. During our hearty breakfast with Mariechen and Jochen, we decided to go on a day trip along the Fehn canals through the peat areas of East Friesland and Ammerland, which are hardly used any more today.
For the following Sunday morning we had decided to take a short trip to Dangast, which is known far beyond the national borders and well attended due to the Kurhaus with its cultural events and the almost legendary rhubarb cake available there.
After our stopover in Suurhusen, it is only 6 kilometers to the city center of Emden. We quickly arrived at Laura's apartment, who was already waiting for us with a coffee.
After our walk through the fishing village of Greetsiel, we went back to Emden, where a short tour through the city, should end our day trip to Ostfriesland completed by Laura.
We were coming from Jever via Aurich on the B 210 to Laura, who has been studying in Emden for some time, when we came across the Leaning Tower of Suurhusen.
On our journey north, we had chosen accommodation in Osnabrück for the overnight stay, which firstly gave us the opportunity to take a short city tour and secondly to meet Lynn, the daughter of an Alaturka employee who lives in Osnabrück, and who immediately acted as our private city guide offered.
During our walk along the dunes of Spiekeroog, we had already noticed the group of kitesurfers who seemed to be flying through the waves at high speed along the endlessly wide sandy beach of Spiekeroog.
Due to the high tide time of the next day, which also fits well, we had planned the crossing to the island of Spiekeroog for the next day immediately after returning from our mudflat hike.
Once you have arrived in the northern part of Germany, a hearty wadden sea area hike should of course not be missed by Brita and Gerda during the travel program with alaturka.
And if it is just an artificial waterfall, we have taken the path from the peat house in the direction of Goslar for a little stop in icy cold conditions , after all minus 17 degrees, just to take a look at the equivalent of the Romkerhaller waterfall.