My latest trip

[RedDog]

A couple of days ago I returned from my latest trip to Germany...

For the first few days, I arrived in Hamburg and toured a few areas of interest in Lower Saxony in the company of one of the forum members. Before I set off I was warned that Northern Germany in January can be cold - on the contrary, I have never experienced such warmth in my life. The kindness and endless patience I was shown is something I will carry with me my whole life. Where else would I meet such a person other than in Miniatur Wunderland - of course! The true Wonder of The Wunderland is the brilliant people who work there and who visit.

This picture is on board a submarine at the excellent museum in Wilhelmshaven. The submarine was fascinating, and as a visitor I was allowed to bang my head into as much of it as I like.

We met the captain of working boat who showed me around the engine room (photo with permission). This felt like very privileged access and left me smiling all day.

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To Bremen and a wonderful little cafe in the park. To someone who is not used to these things, German beer is reason enough to make the hop over the North Sea.

And finally, Bremen Cathedral and a moment of calm.


These are a few pictures from a very busy and memorable 3 days. I am constantly surprised by the kindness and patience that everyone I meet in Germany is willing to show to a slightly bewildered and socially awkward Englishmen. And without wishing to sound like I am accepting an Oscar, especially to the forum member who showed me around beautiful Northern Germany - I am deeply grateful.

[RedDog]

Then I had 2 days in Hamburg and an opportunity to renew my annual pass to MiWuLa...

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True to form, Hamburg was cold and damp. Making my way along the Elbe to MiWuLa.

Great to see Monaco making slow but steady progress.

And the new sections really starting to come together. This is very exciting and looks fantastic.

As well as some upgrades to more familiar sections.

Although I did notice several collisions and failures. I love MiWuLa deeply and am almost reduced to tears when it is time to leave, but there were one or two ragged edges on show while I was there. Is this just "a January thing"? Wilde Maus still not working, Log Flume constantly jamming, summer toboggan still not working, Chocolate Factory not working - and perhaps most concerning a Wilde Maus of a different kind in the bistro!

MiWuLa was due to close at 20:00 but was extended to 21:00. The result was that the place was very quiet. It is lovely to see and hear the kids enjoying a place I love so much - but it's nice to have it to myself for a little while too.

[günni]

Moin,
thanks for the beautiful Pictures

[writeln]

That looks like a nice tour and I guess, I have an idea about the working boat, you visited.

Thank you for the beautiful pictures and the kind words.

[Feuer-wer]

Mice in the bistro? No, that's absolute impossible.

Welcome to historic Speicherstadt.

Seems you had some great days.

Btw, what the f..k is "log flume"?

[RedDog]

Great to hear from you, Feuer-wer!

Of course you are right about mice in the Speicherstadt. And i guess with MiWuLa being quiet (and warm) in January they will get additional furry visitors. It was actually quite cute.

I'm sorry my German is still at a very basic level. A log flume is a fairground ride where you travel in small boats (shaped like logs) down narrow water chutes. One was added in the Krimi on MiWuLa when that area was upgraded.

Thanks for your comments - yes I love Germany very much and always have a great time.

Look forward to seeing you at the next MFM

Mice in the bistro? No, that's absolute impossible.

Welcome to historic Speicherstadt.

Seems you had some great days.

Btw, what the f..k is "log flume"?

[martin236]

Hello,

thank you for your nice pictures.
Hope we see us in Hamburg; next MFM!

nice greetings
Martin

[writeln]

I'm sorry my German is still at a very basic level.
A log flume is a

... a "Wildwasserbahn" (means wild-water-coaster).


There are a lot of funny words in German, so (at least sometimes) it can be fun to learn this language.

For dayly practice I can recommend an App called "duolingo".
I´m am using it my self for leaning languages and it helped me a lot.

[RedDog]

Hey Writeln,

I will make sure that by the time I see you again at MFM I am able to speak at least a little better.

Being from Scotland, my favourite German word is "dudelsack".

Thank you for your suggestions.

I quite like "moin" too!

[Stefan mit F]

Moin Rog,

thank you for these many impressive pictures.
Accidents at the airport are business as usual. In particular the two planes at the starting position make it more famous.
It is also an advertisement for Jochen W. Brauns book ...and all survived! that tells stories about plane accidents that could have been as tragic as the Tenerife crash in 1977 but ended without losing a single life.

Nevertheless the failure of the Chocolate Factory is a desaster. Hope that they were able to fix it soon.
Extended opening time is always a joy, especially if you need not take a train on time (I remember an offer from someone of the Miniatur Wunderland team to stay longer but I wasn't able 'cause I had booked a connection with train binding).

Thanks also for the pictures from Bremen. Perhaps you could add one picture with Henry Morgan Blaubär?

[Henry M Blaubaer]

Oh, Roger visited the same vessel as I did...

And I had to control rudders and engines while my friends were talking...

[Henry M Blaubaer]

Perhaps you could add one picture with Henry Morgan Blaubär?

Something like this?

[Henry M Blaubaer]

I love scottish style of life...

[Datterich]

Nice news ... I think the "different" weather between Scotland, Wilhelmshaven and Hamburg was no problem at all. Thank you for the great report.

Kind regards from Germany
Datterich