Nigel's Diary

Thursday 11^th May

On our arrival at Bremen airport we were met by Gerd Hackmöller and taken by minibus to the Landkreis (Town Hall of Rotenburg) for a snack. We then went to our host families.

Friday 12^th May

We were invited to the district administration for a reception.  With the new Administrator Marco Prietz, at 34 the youngest mayor in the area. The talk was about the problems in the Landkreis which were similar to those we have in Falmouth viz. Immigration, cost of living and shortage of affordable housing. That evening, the group was invited to dinner at the beautiful home of Christiane Post, much enjoyed by us all.

Saturday 13^th May.

We were taken by coach to Wilhelmshaven to visit the ‘Coast’ museum. Then after lunch to the German Naval Museum where we went on board a corvette, thence aboard a U-boat which gave us an idea what life was like in a small submerged submarine.

Sunday 14^th May

We went on a carriage drive, with two horses at Schneverdigen – a sandy dry area of heathland. That evening we went to a ‘Balkan’ restaurant and had a superb meal with ‘tiramisu’ desert. There were nine of us including host families.

Monday 15^th May.

We had a light lunch at my host family, the Schmulands. Later that evening, after a few of us played frisbee tennis, we were treated to a fabulous reception and evening meal in Hassendorf. Gifts were exchanged and speeches made. Altogether a most enjoyable five nights in Rotenburg (Wümme).

Finally, my host’s next door neighbour’s garden had a stork’s nest forty feet up with nesting storks in it.

N.Rimmer