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Between the tides: Mudflat mail carrier Knud Knudsen

Axel Rowohlt
September 23, 2024

The gulls and sandworms probably recognize Knud Knudsen, because he walks across northern Germany's mudflats every few days to deliver the mail.

https://p.dw.com/p/4kuu1

Knud Knudsen is barefoot, wearing shorts and has a mailbag on his back. He carries the mail along the same route each time — from the island of Pellworm in the North Sea to the islet of Süderoog. Only one family lives there, and they need to get their letters and packages on time.

"Just no refrigerators," says Knudsen — those have to come by boat. The regular hike across the mudflats is more than just a job for the 69-year-old postman; it's pure bliss. "I enjoy this peace!" he says. 

It' a nearly 7-kilometer (about 4-mile) walk to get there. After a short coffee break, he heads back again, timed with the rolling tides. He always has a few tourists with him in tow during the summer.

DW reporter Axel Rowohlt followed Knudsen, probably the world's only mud flat mailman.

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DW’s on-the-ground reporters are always close to the action, be it covering international events or zooming in on some of the quirks of daily life. Camera always in hand, they report on the changes they see taking place in Germany, Europe and around the world.