Hi
The traditional (previously DBM) DBMM competition on the German island of Baltrum took place two weeks ago.
Baltrum is a small island with about 1000 inhabitants.
Cars are not allowed on the island.
You leave your car at the dyke and catch the ferry, which takes about 30 minutes.
Your luggage is transported by "coolies" on bicycles from the ferry to your hotel.
Jann Bengen, one of the best DBMM players in Germany (I don´t know how he does it as usually he only has seagulls to play against!), runs a good hotel on the island and makes a special offer for food and accommodation each year to entice players into the far North !
Traditionally the weather is dry and sunny, but windy, so you stay within the town or behind the sand dunes to stay out of the wind! It´s easy to get a sun tan on Baltrum.
To match the surroundings there are special rules. All the boards include a large sea and at least 20AP must be spent on naval elements and crews. There are separate prizes for the best general and the best admiral.
For various reasons numbers were down this year, which meant we were only 5 players. 5 was still enough for everyone to play all the other participants and get four games.
Modesty prevents me from providing the results, but I had four interesting games and had to use my brain cells a lot !
I experienced a very nasty impressed shipping flank march from Jann, which cost me a good part of my army.
If anyone fancies a few days break away from the maddening crowd in April 2013, then I can well recommend Baltrum. Hotel and food are good. I would not to like there all year but Baltrum is just NICE.
neil
