Catching up with friends from Christmas in Estepona

Wednesday 10th March, 1982

On the road again to Bonn.  We lunched in HUMA - a large hypermarket.  Earlier, on the autobahn we decided to go down to the Rhine at Koblenz for a change of scenery and a memory drive along past Bad Breisich and Remagen and on to Bonn.  We found Joe's suburb - St Augustin - then had to find his street - when we did, what a welcome we got - they treated us like royalty.  We thoroughly enjoyed our stay with them - they have a nice family.  Norbert is 18 and a PMG technician and Rolf who is married and an electrician.  They cut their holiday short because Rolf has been made "workless" but on arriving home found he had a job.  Showed us all the slides of his holiday including our Christmas.  We ate German Essen sausage and brotchen.  Breakfast was sausage, cheese and brotchen and for lunch we brought cooked chickens and had chicken and brotchen.  Drink - we had brandy, wine, German milk drink weitbeer - which is raspberry syrup with weetbier-non-alcoholic.  After tea we walked down to the pub, Joe and Margaret's favourite spot.  We had a terrific evening -introduced us to malt beer, non-alcoholic but sweet.  On arriving home, Rolf and Oma arrived.  To bed in a warm van - Joe had put his heater in to warm the van - it was beautiful.  All the German houses built pre-war are similar but adequate (more than) all semi-attached brick constructions with heating - two storey - down stairs kitchen and toilet living room - upstairs three bedrooms ensuite.  Very nice!

Weather is changeable - we had sun, storm, snow and wind in one day as Margaret says "misty but green" a private joke that helps them get through their 300 cloudy days per year.  Wind and rain at nights.

Thursday 11th March, 1982

Up next morning to sunshine - we went for a walk with Joe to the Huma hypermarket.  He wanted to buy us everything.  Sandra had developed a migraine and had to sleep to rid herself of it - we bought three chickens for lunch and had half each - wow the protein we have eaten.

Reluctantly we said Auf Weidershein to the Zeiss’s and headed for Eiskirchen, Joe and Margaret took us about 10 km before waving goodbye.

Lunch time we had a storm - then rain then snow and sunshine - misty but green!

By the time we arrived it was snowing again. 

Eiskirchen, Germany

Very cold - it was great to see the Zopinski's again.  Had sauerbraten, a local meat dish for a welcome for us - delicious - braised meat with apple sauce.  Had a pleasant evening then bed.  Heidrun had to work at the taxi office this evening.  Received a letter from Karen - all well at home.

Ludwig and Heidrun Zopinski

Friday 12th March, 1982                    cold and fine

Awoke reasonably early - breakfast inside the warm house - German style again - Rolls, meat and coffee - I have sneaked the bran in every morning up to date.  Ludwig had to work till 11:30 a.m. so we walked down to Eiskirchen which is a lovely little town - lunched altogether then off for a drive in rain and sleet and snow to Bad Munster Eifel the prettiest town I've seen for many miles.  

Bad Munster Eifel, Germany

Germany is beautiful when the rain clears.  We had our coffee in a lovely cafe and walked a while. With Heidrun leading the way we drove to the Eiffel Mountains through lovely villages and over good mountain roads.  The sun came out for the last hour and we took some snaps -then the snow came again - quite heavy.  A nice tea and shower and settled in with visitors - Rolf and Heidi, friends of Ludwig.  Ludwig isn't well but continues to entertain us with his guitar and Rolf singing - early night.  All collapsed into sleep quickly.  Heavy ice lay on ground all night

Saturday 13th March, 1982                      fine but cold

Up early for breakfasts - going to Cologne - but Ludwig too sick to rise.  Heidrun called the doctor who put him on penicillin and about three hours later we headed for Cologne through driving rain - no one is happy with the arrangements as it's so cold but "best laid plans of mice and men".  Arrived at parkplatz after much trouble looking - poor John was so patient with rain and traffic - he does a good job behind the wheel.  We were freezing, almost crying with the cold and the locals didn't even seem to be dressed warmly, didn't seem to worry them - born to it.

We found McDonald's and hoed into two hamburgers and coffee each - came out feeling a bit warmer.  Walked to the Dom.  On way Rae and I brought a Cuckoo Clock.  The Dom is monstrous; we walked up the Dome past the Glocken (Bell) on to the first level - 300 steps -where Sandra and I declined any further invites to finish the last 200 to the top.  When we came down it was sun shining, lots of snaps whilst the Sun was out.

View from the Dom, Koln, Germany

Shopping in Koln, Germany with Heidrun

On the way home the inevitable rain sleet and snow then sunshine.  Heidrun carried Yulia all the way up to the top and down.

Cologne is the land of 4711 perfume - Margaret Hall's favourite.

Sunday 14th March, 1982           sunny and cold

Lazy Sunday morning - Ludwig feeling a little better -  and had breakfast with us.  Lunch - pork chops etc - very nice, and off to the Kommer Museum.  Here they have old houses from various districts.  Thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon there.  Some of the homes shared the house with the cattle.  In the museum were miniature room settings, furniture and utensils from the old homes. 

Kommer Museum, Germany

In to Eiskirchen for a coffee at the Ital-Eis-cafe, very filling.  Met Heidrun's mother at the Railway shop - car wouldn't start - friendly Germans helped push.

By the end of two days in the van with Yulia and Miryam we were ready to slap or scream.  Home to a filling afternoon tea - rest - Ludwig came down stairs and fiddled with his short wave radio.  A light tea and a restful evening - they are determined to shower us with German hospitality.

Sean has been feeling a little off for a couple of days and today he has developed bronchitis so with his temperature 39° we decided to call the doctor.  He gave him Flufim and Bronco-Binatal and a needle of Vertin to bring the temperature down.  Sean and I slept in the house -all night someone was up, Yulia, Sean or Ludwig.  Decided next morning to get on the road again.

They all eat this raw concoction of meat and onion for breakfast and tea - Swebelmince.

Monday 15th of March                       sunny and cold

Last breakfast with Heidrun and the kids - Ludwig taken to bed with a migraine - methinks the boy is a weakling or running away - anyway we were on the road again.  Poor Heidrun didn't raise an objection as the little one was very ill too.  Ludwig said when a German becomes ill he takes to bed and stays there till he is better - no shower - no Australian visitors will alter his sick routine.

Nice day as we came to autobahn, past Aachen, Liege, Lillie through Belgium into France.  Three countries in one day - not bad.  Stopped at autobahn service station for lunch with German brot.  A home in Belgium was outstanding with aeroplanes on the roof, rockets in front.

Past Armentieres where Mademoiselle originated - down through Flanders country through the French villages of St Sylvestre-Cassel La Neippe, St Omen and many more.

This is dad's (Poppy Joe)World War one country where he stole potatoes for his mates.

Sean lay asleep most of the day.  Arrived at Calais about 7 p.m. at camping area right beside the harbour - no showers, so to bed after a blanket bath.

Worms, Germany to Calais, France

 

Amsterdam, Netherlands to Bonn, Germany

Thursday, 1st October,1981                  sunny and cool

Woke to another nice day.  As the area was closing for winter everyone had to be out by 12 noon, so the camp was a bustle from early morning.  We met a busload of Aussies on a Sundowner tour.  Today we head for the main dike.

We took the wrong road which caused a tremor through the van, but then we were on our way.  Stopped at Volendam, a pretty fishing village in Maketemeer Bay where the people still dressed in their national dress - men lazed in the sun whilst the fishing boats came in and out of the bay.  One boat had discharged tubs and tubs of eels.  John had his video going to record this way of life unknown to us.  The streets were narrow, as were the houses but clean - the windows sparkle in the whole of Holland.

After wandering around we headed for Edam where we pulled up at a canal behind an Australian couple. 

Had lunch and as we couldn't go through cheese factory we headed north again.

The land is so flat and green we had to stop and take a photo.  Windmills aren't as prevalent now.  At the beginning of the dike we were held up whilst a sailing boat went through the sluice.  A remarkable piece of engineering the dike - begun in 1918 and finished in 1932.  It changed the way of life from less fishing to farming.  What was once Zuider Zee is now completely fresh water fed from the Rhine - 3 million L bottles per minute is fed into the Ijesselmeer.  We stood on the barrier dam with the North Sea to the left and the bay to the right hand. Kilometres of the dike either side for as far is you can see.  Legend has it Hans Brinker put his finger in the dike to keep Holland from being inundated with the sea.

Holland reminds me of my schooldays - fancy dress balls and clogs - happy days.  Not long after leaving the dike we decided to find a park and rest for the night.  Found a closed caravan park at Workum, a park right on the bay.  Walked around the waters edge- it was like glass.  Can't believe we're actually beside the Zuider Zee.  Amazes me the cycle lanes everywhere city and country.

Friday, 2nd October, 1981

Awoke at Workum Warkum by the old Zuider Zee to a bleak and overcast day.  Breakfast and then off on the highway again.  There wasn't anyone on duty when we arrived the night before but on going out we were caught at the gate.  Didn't mind as the showers were hot and the spiders were tame.  We passed through Lemmer a town situated on the Meer.  Had morning tea just outside the town as boats were plowing up and down the canals.  The countryside is lush so green, windmills dating from1700s on the side of road and out in the never never - a huge lock with lots of activity.

Passing windmills built in 1706-1849 brought great pleasure.  Then down south through Emmaford, Kampen where we had morning tea by the canal.  On to Zwolle, a large town with the biggest Centrum pedestrian area we have seen.  Filled our larder with lots of goodies from a department store at Nymegen, which reminded me of David Jones with all continental counters.

We parked along the highway for lunch.  Roads and cycle lanes ran side-by-side.  A small town on the canals had many thatched cottages - made me homesick for Britain.  All along the highway a cow manure smell pervaded the van, they cover the heaps with plastic and tyres along the roadside.

The country has changed and now as we approach the German border, hills gently rise on the horizon, the forests thicken as we passed through Arnhem on to Nymegen a large town where we had difficulty finding the caravan park.  Here we found the supermarket, but took longer with a park.  After dusk we pulled in, showered and were preparing tea when the attendant arrived.  Park closed but we could stay overnight so we had a cheap night's accommodation -two guilders for showers.  It was raining so we were comfortable in the van.  Played 500 then on to bed.  Cars are at a minimum here- every one - old and young- used pushbikes

Saturday, 3rd October, 1981                       raining but fine later

Left Nymegen after breakfast, said goodbye to the river Waal and hello to River Maas.  Today we are just cruising down the highway towards Venlo.  The countryside is changing, more bush and drier fields.  The Rivers run alongside the highway.  Holland is such a clean country, all houses sparkle, driveways, gardens and roads are devoid of leaves.  Haven't found a grotty house or village.

Crops have appeared again, the canals have been replaced by the River Maas.  Outside of Venlo we found a huge hypermarket.  We had already filled the larder but we walk through admiring which stimulated taste buds, all the goodies.  John couldn't resist - brought Dutch biscuits.  We brought bread and had lunch in the car park.  As it is near the German border there were lots of Germans.  English (from NATO forces) in the hypermarket.

We drove on along the river Roer to Roemond a large town on the river once again the scenery changing.  Beside corn, acres of tulips are almost ready to burst into bloom.  The people are not as friendly here.  We went through a small village and it was perfect, not a leaf on the ground gardens pruned perfectly.  This we found everywhere in Holland.  Big cities are spotless.  Through a spotless village of Echt to the camping area.  Very friendly people in charge.  We washed all our clothes, hot showered, washed hairs played a game of 500 and to bed.  Perfect night for sleeping but awoke to rain.

Sunday, 4th October, 1981                       rain that cleared

We are on our way to Germany today.  Leisurely breakfast, warmer clothes with the nip in the air.  Off towards the border through Oosbech, Heerlem where we spotted 2 huge stone elephants outside a stone village.  As we neared the border we pooled coins and John called into a service station for three guilders of petrol.  On to the autobahn and to the German border - creeping in the car towards checkpoint.  Through at last - no trouble, we change some money my guilders into deutsche marks $.40= one deutsche mark.  Then on into Aachen, where we found a park near the market.

Aachen, Germany

In the main market is the Dom - the Cathedral that Charlemagne had built in AD800 on similar lines to Romans.  A 2-storey ambulatory circles the octagon at whose Centre hangs a magnificent bronze chandelier lit by candles.  A statue of Virgin Mary stands near one of the pillars, it is said to be miraculous.  The pulpit is made from bronze decorated with precious stones. Charlemagne's marble throne stands undamaged.  Charles the Great as he was known brought together tribes into the Holy Roman Empire.  In the Domschatzkammer -  the Cathedral Treasury is one of Germany's richest treasures from the year 990.  Gold busts, silver and precious stone encrusted crucifix pure gold treasures from the Carolingian era.

We had our first German espresso, very strong, in a dear little Hotel “the red house".  Then on through Duren, Euskichen towards Bonn, a very windy day.

The houses are Bavarian - small white with high gables.  We noticed some Bavarian dress amongst the people.

In Bonn looking for camp.  Bonn is a large city with mostly modern buildings, tram cars run through streets.  The river Rhine divides Bonn.  Barges plough up and down the river till late at night.

Amsterdam, Netherlands to Bonn, Germany