We left the Tour de France on the Thursday and after saying our Goodbyes to Martin and Ewoud at a McDonald’s in France, we headed straight for the Belgian Border heading towards Germany. It was a long drive but we wanted to get as many kilometers under our wheels as possible before we stopped so that we would make it in good time to meet our German friends for the weekend.
About 11.00 we stopped in a small town called Huy and stopped to sleep next to a river in a camperstop. It was not really a very quiet place with cars and trucks rumbling past all night but we were too tired to go any further and quickly fell asleep. We were woken early by a local starting up his front end loader parked nearby and after a bit decided it was best to get going. The drive to Germany was pretty uneventful, but the roads in Belgium must be the worst for a modern country , lots of potholes, ridges and very rough, it was a pleasure to finally get into Germany with it’s well kept roads and modern motorways.
We finally arrived at the campsite near Vlotho, Germany and after booking in all we wanted to do was have a shower and a nap.
Our German friends, The Motzki’s were due to arrive about 3.30, but due to a big traffic hold up didn’t turn up until after 4.00, and it was with great pleasure we were able to greet them and renew our acquaintance.
We had a lovely time with them all, the children played happily and we spent many hours talking and having fun.
On the Saturday, we all went for a drive to Hamelen, (of the Pied Piper legend) Ewout and I went with Manfred in his Jeep, Ewout driving and me in the back being a bit windblown but it was a nice drive through the countryside. When we arrived in Hameln it was to see a nice old town, with a lot of character and even a Pied Piper walking around to enhance the atmosphere. Sunday was a bit quieter, with some of the family having to go home as they had to work the next day, leaving Ewout and I and Leo, Dagmar and Lutz left to spend the day together. It was a nice relaxing day, hanging out with the family, and then going to the restaurant for tea where we had rather big schnitzels and chips etc.
Monday we regretfully left, after such a nice time with the Motzki family we are always sad to leave but know that we always have a warm welcome we we come back. something to look forward to next year we hope.
