Germany

Guten Tag

Well I think that is the correct spelling! We are having an awesome time. We took the wonderful fast (ICE) trains to Solingen and had a wonderful time with Annika's family. Everyone was more than kind and we saw many amazing sites! Forests, rivers, cathedrals, castles,and the list goes on.

Then it was back on the train to Berlin where we were welcomed by Marty and Annika - a very sweet reunion. We are just getting aquainted with the area... Annika and Marty have gven us an overview of the city with it's many faces and we have plenty of time to explore in depth. Our accomodation is in a Turkish area - translate that as fabulous food! The first evening we were here we were sitting at a turkish restaurant when a huge storm came up - wind, thunder and lightening, rain, hail and a lady riding by on her bike in her bathing suit :)

The photos will speak volumes so I will post a few.
Inernet at our accomodation is not working so we are on-line at Marty and Annika's.
I am working of teh website which is in German - stressful for my limited knowledge!
Enjoy the photos!




Berlin - lots of great architecture and beach bars too!



Solingen - beautiful riverside walks and a fantastic one man knife caftsman / manufacturing shop.




Koln Dom Solingen sculpture





Solingen at the castle the and old town sqare - note the slate buliding with the green shutters - very common here. Very charming.



Berlin street scene and a photo from the festival of cultures parade.




The happy couple well posed!!

Cross Country Run

Let the games begin!
We are off and running – by van, foot, bus, ferry, sky train, sea bus, and train! The Via Rail trip was wonderful – we highly recommend it – especially travelling on the senior companion fare!

The train was a great way to see this fabulous country – the mountains, the valleys, the rivers and plains, & the Laurentian Shield with all the lakes and rock outcroppings – Wow after Wow!

We had a ‘section’ on our train car: translation – upper and lower berths with heavy curtains for privacy right across the aisle from an identical section and the bathroom just steps away. Getting dressed was rather like camping … There was a great hot shower on board!
Ken and Jackie had a ‘bedroom’ with upper and lower bunks and a private sink, toilet and small cupboard. It was there we met to sip the wine we had brought along …. But for the real views we enjoyed the dome cars – no problem getting a seat … There were also games tables which we used regularly to play a number of games including ‘golf’ which one of the stewards taught us.
The stainless steel rail cars were built in 1955 - check out the dining car photo where we were served excellent meals with plenty of choice. The train was 23 cars long plus 3 engines so it was realty fun to see it on the curvy bits.
We met up with cousins Marj and Bud at the Winnipeg station for a quick hello. How delightful that they came considering how late the train was running!
Our time in Elliot Lake has been great fun – nephews Eric and Dave and their families are here: Eric, Kim and Isaac; Dave, Jen and Tegan .. then a cousin Joan MacNeall and her husband Gordon arrived for visit. I haven’t seen Joan since I was a teenager (a few days ago!).
And the fun continues. Elliot Lake is a city of 13,000 with lots of lakes and hills and hiking trails. An afternoon walk is n the agenda to walk of Jackie’s amazing cooking!
Germany is calling in a few days . Tschuss (Bye!)