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| Rob's return to Germany |
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| Garfield wishes to drink |
When Rob and Beth said goodbye
to Hückelhoven after living there for four months on a house exchange in 2006
they didn't think that they would have an opportunity to return so soon. Despite
the plans they made a few months ago, it still didn't feel real until
after they arrived at four in the afternoon on a Thursday when they saw Michael waving at them from across the two tracks of the Erkelenz train station.
As Michael drove them to Hückelhoven,
they looked out at the farmlands and searched for familiar sites. Everything
was very familiar although there was a lot of the inevitable new construction
that time and progress brings.
"Yes. They are expanding
the train station as well as adding more buildings to the outskirts of Hückelhoven."
confirmed Michael as he drove. "You will notice a lot of changes in Hückelhoven
as well."
He dropped them off at Uwe and
Rosi's where they would be staying for the weekend and made arrangements to
meet for dinner later that evening.
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| Uwe and Uwe 2.0 |
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| Michael and Barbara: Gracious Hosts |
This was the beginning of what
Rob described as a Christmas weekend in March. Over the next three days Rob and
Beth visited, ate, drank, laughed, commiserated, ate, drank, visited and
laughed and ate again! Like any good Christmas they enjoyed sharing good
memories while making new ones.
On their first night, the Michael drove to an elegant, German fusion restaurant for their homecoming dinner. The
fantastic food and atmosphere, a favourite of Michael and Barbara's, was chosen
to host their Canadian friends in royal fashion. They spent a lovely evening
catching up and once again they were surprised by the many parallels between
their lives.
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| Stopping at Wegberg fish farm |
On Friday, after a large
breakfast served by Rosi and Uwe, they saw Michael, Barbara, and Kevin for brunch which was served at the table Rob and Beth remembered dinning at regularly
six years prior. Michael and Barbara warmly welcomed Rob and Beth
"home" and introduced them to Emily, the newest addition to their
family. It was satisfying for Rob and Beth to catch up and see how much Kevin
had grown and how well he maintained the English skills that were nurtured at
school in Windsor!
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| Herbert watches his ice cream disappear |
In the afternoon much of their
time was spent with Ingrid and Herbert, who like Rob and Beth, enjoy good food
and treats in the middle of the day (Especially Wassenburg Ice cream!). If
only there was an ice cream parlour that was that creative a little closer to
home!
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| Heinz and his wife left of the bowling gang. |
Rob and Beth spent the evening
at Heinz's Restaurant/Pub/Bowling alley with some of the Kegel gang: Ingrid,
Herbert, Rosi, Uwe, Gaby, Uli, Oliver and Nils. Once again they were warmly
welcomed into the Kegel family for an evening of fun, a little teasing and
large portions of Heinz’s food. Late in the evening Uwe announced, ”We have a new kegel pin (given to the winner of the evening). If they forget
it they must buy everyone a round of beer. Did you remember to bring your
pin?”
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| Beth, Garfield, and Rosi |
Having travelled over four months with the Kegel award that they were granted last time they visited Germany, they happily brandished it to everyone's amusement.
On Saturday after a relaxing
start to the morning, Rosi and Uwe's once again treated their guest to a German
breakfast fit for a king. Rob and Beth decided that they could travel
anywhere with this couple. Together they sat and enjoyed German staples
complete with good cheeses, delicious breads, wurst, jams, perfectly timed
hard-boiled eggs, and lots of brewed coffee.
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| At the Dutch market |
Following their breakfast,
Ingrid and Herbert arrived to chauffeur the Canadians, as they had done six years prior, to a Netherland's market where they sampled a Dutch fish fry and
potato pancakes. On their return they stopped at a nearby Wegberg fish farm for
smoked trout that Ingrid would prepare for that evening. Beth and Rob, had been
looking forward to these outings with Ingrid and Herbert as they always share
an appreciation and joy of good food!
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| Lots of empty plates = Good home cooking |
On the final night in Hückelhoven,
they spent a lovely dinner at Ingrid and Herbert's with Rosi, Uwe, and Oliver
and Barbara. During the comfortable evening with friends, they gorged on the
family style, home-cooked buffet that Ingrid prepared. Herbert, the always
jovial bartender, did his best to ensure the glasses of all guests were filled
with BitBurg Beer (Bitte eine Bit!) and Mosel wine. They laughed and drank
together while Herbert told stories using few English words accompanied by
emphatic charades which grew more comical with time and drinks.
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| Trying out the new home installments |
On Sunday morning when they
parted ways once again, they left feeling a few pounds heavier and, although
their time together was short, they felt confident that it would only be a
matter of time before they met again
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