Gehrke, Schmiedegasthaus Bad Nenndorf

So I can't really remember much about Hannover besides that there was nothing to see, nothing to do, the weather was bad and the campsite was overpriced! Dont get me wrong, I'm sure its a lovely place with nice weather and during the summer when the gardens are open which is where Hanovers charm is supposed to be. Wasn't our cup of tea so we moved on rather quickly. Byebye Hanover....maybe next time!

... it was ridiculous!!

We weren't really sure what we were going to do so we wandered into the middle of the innercity and found some Döner (food was extremely important). We saw some interesting things on the way such as a one man Wurst station, a juggler who decided he would wait to put on his show until 20 minutes later. While we were walking a random band was marching down the street so we stopped to watch it. We finally found a cool market place ...

... so well with carrying a heavy handbag around on the same shoulder for a few months and now with the extra weight of the backpack it wasn't loving me at all.
I had a sit down to recover, Dan went in search of a Eurolotto agent where we got our money back for the ticket for winning the second last amount of money that you could get. So at least the lotto ticket didnt cost us anything. We then headed through all the security checks and passport control and waited for ...

Arrived in Hannover 1 hour after take-off from Frankfurt. We were at maximum altitude a total of 2 minutes before descending again. We got a birds-eye view of the countryside, red house roofs and the many wind turbines.
Got my luggage, 2 on wheels and 1 duffel bag. We all had to drag our luggage to the bus which was a considerable distance. This was so ...

... coal mine inside, that was actually more like a dark playground. We really got an appreciation of how things were done in the mining field during that time period. Sometimes, I love homeschooling! Upon leaving, we encountered a bridal party, and nearly crashed another reception, when we took a wrong turn in one of the buildings! Continuing on our way, we were amazed at the number of large windmills....and nuclear energy plants that dotted the countryside.
We ...

... his 63rd birthday and were persuaded to a sip or two of whisky with us. His English was, as with all Belgians, very good. Coincidentally he was born in Neerpelt and seemed delighted we had stopped there. Next morning he came over and invited us to join them for coffee and strawberry flan.

6th July 2009
Steimbke, Haupstrasse 49 52.39'21"N 9.22'54"E
On our way here we stopped off in Nienburg and called on Marilys and Gerd for the first time.

Today was one of the longest expected days of the itinerary, and so it turned out. We blasted along the motorway out of Belgium, then through the Netherlands th Neijmegan (sp?) and Arnhem, the "bridge too far" town. We looked at the Airborne memorial and the nice little information centre, then wandered over to the street market for fish & frittes. Then into Germany and our ...

... bad English by the driver we got sorted. This is what traveling is about muddling through.

We were whisked outside to the plushest VW people carrier I've ever seen. Only 4 individual brown and black leather seats in the back with walnut fittings, TV, and bar equipment but no drinks, but then no trip is ever that perfect. I could have used a drink, the way we flew off onto the No. 2 Autobann to Wolfsburg and the Ritz Carlton Hotel at the AutoStadt.

... famous in pagan circles. It is has five sandstone pillars that rise out of the earth in an area which is has very few rocks. You are able to climb up a couple of the taller pillars as well. It was supposedly a site for the Teutonic peoples in the Middle Ages, and it really does stick out of nowhere - the view is impressive from the top. Unfortunately the ...

... Met American\Japanese\German who was very talkative and got very drunk, apparently from the Pils. Bad medication? Also a Irish bloke who had ridden 2 gold cup winners as a stable lad. Sat 10 June Saturday of the England game woke up at 8, had some breky, went for a run then cycled to the University BG with Harry, Christa and Alexa. Not showing the game so went to plan B BG, which showed the game but the sun hid the screen. Plan C had a similar problem ...