Trip Report

[RedDog]

This is the report from my recent trip to Germany. I have broken it into 2 parts to keep the MiWuLa photos separate from my holiday photos. I knew I was going to have a good time in Germany - I always do - I had no idea just how good it was going to be. This was very different to previous trips...

Early morning sunshine as I walk to MiWuLa. I always love walking along here. Hamburg is such a beautiful city and I am really excited to be back.

I arrived and had a quick walk around the layout to get my bearings and see what had changed since my last visit - when I met this young rascal! Just brilliant to see a friendly face.

Then we were joined by another esteemed member of the forum - from the moment I met these 2 the morning flew by in a blur of laughter and fun.

An absolute privilege to be allowed to control some of these amazing models. I felt like I was 8 years old again. When I first visited MiWuLa I never imagined this would be possible. Genuinely, the stuff of dreams.

Some people tell me that Germans do not have a sense of humour. Oh that is massively not true. I am still laughing about some of the things that we said and did. This was a riot of fun.

I came to MiWuLa expecting to see the world's biggest and best model railway. Of course it fulfilled this. I did not expect to meet such brilliant, friendly, warm and funny people. I will never forget this day. Thank you so much.

[RedDog]

These are photos from the next few days in Germany.

Sad to be leaving Hamburg so soon, but looking forward to travelling to Wuppertal.

The next morning I got the train to Bonn to visit Beethoven's house. This was something I have wanted to do for years, although this isn't the warm welcome I got in Hamburg!

I travelled a little way out of Bonn and caught the cog railway up Drachelfells (I think). This was brilliant and was on the basis of some great advise from a forum member. Although I was also advised to bring an umbrella - hmmm. I actually got sunburnt. In Germany in February - sunburnt!

Then to spend some time in Wuppertal and....

...ride the Schwebebahn! This was also one of my main reasons for visiting this region and something I have wanted to do for years. I travelled right to the end of the line - then right the way to the other end. Then I did it again.

The next day I travelled to Cologne to visit the cathedral. The Cathedral was open but it seemed to be a public holiday and most other things were closed. I wanted to go up the tower but this was not possible - well it's a reason to return. I tried to visit a Brauhaus but they insisted that I show a negative test result which I did not have. Again, a reason to return.

So instead I enjoyed a walk around the city. That umbrella coming in useful again....!

Playing the piano in Wuppertal HBF!

Saying goodbye to one of the locals before travelling to Berlin to fly home.

This was a great trip and a brilliant few days, thanks very entirely thanks to several of the people that contribute to this forum. I really appreciate your help and advice. For the things I didn't have time to do, I will certainly be back.

I am now back home in Scotland and have put my travel-kilt in the wash ready for my next visit - when I come to Hamburg with my family in April.

[Christoph Köhler]

Thank you for your nice written lines and the beautiful photos.

Your visit to Wuppertal is only 50 km away from my home.

Many greetings

Christoph Köhler

[RedDog]

Your visit to Wuppertal is only 50 km away from my home.

You are lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world. I hope my photos give a sense of how much I enjoyed visiting this area. Everyone I met in Hamburg, Wuppertal, Bonn and Köln was very kind and took time to make me feel welcome.

I am trying to learn German and people are so patient with me even when what I say obviously makes no sense. I can't wait to come back.

[Henry M Blaubaer]

Thank you Roger for the very nice report!
Harry travelled by train to Hamburg. That's the reason why I didn't meet Roger. I should have travel inside the backpack. No! My place is the driver or the co-driver seat in a car, not inside a packpack.
But I'm a kindly bear and Harry could take my little RC tug. He told me, he had a lot of fun in Hamburg.

Regards
Henry M.

[Datterich]

Some people tell me that Germans do not have a sense of humour. Oh that is massively not true.

That's true that it is not true!

Hope to see you in September!
Datterich

[RedDog]

That's true that it is not true!

And you, sir, have an exceptional sense of humour. I am still laughing about one of the comments you made about the Schwebebahn.

[RedDog]

Thank you Roger for the very nice report!
Harry travelled by train to Hamburg. That's the reason why I didn't meet Roger. I should have travel inside the backpack. No! My place is the driver or the co-driver seat in a car, not inside a packpack.
But I'm a kindly bear and Harry could take my little RC tug. He told me, he had a lot of fun in Hamburg.

Regards
Henry M.

Well Henry, I am very grateful for you for allowing Harry to make room for the tug. I also had a LOT of fun in Hamburg. I hope that next time I will get to meet you. But Henry Morgan sounds like a very English name. How did you get this name? Are you an international bear?

[Stefan mit F]

Dear Roger,

thank you for this nice report! I like how you show/play with the sun in your pictures, at Hamburg Speicherstadt, at the Cathedral, and most at the Schwebebahn. You really need to come back soon, I'd like to see more pictures. Good thing that Henry Morgan allowed Harry let you control the Fairplay tug - now you know one reason why I return to Hamburg every September.

I don't know if Henry Morgan is an international bear... maybe Harry can give you an answer, 'cause Henry isn't always telling truth.
Once he told me he had seen many millennium falcons at Knuffingen airport trying to catch some .
This is ridiculous! Don't believe him!

[Henry M Blaubaer]

maybe Harry can give you an answer, 'cause Henry isn't always telling truth.
Once he told me he had seen many millennium falcons at Knuffingen airport trying to catch some .
This is ridiculous! Don't believe him!Henry M. Bummelbär.jpg

Stefan isn't always telling truth!

Some people are telling I have been sewed by young women in China. Of course, that's fake!
The fact is, I have some international relatives. For example the famous Cptn Blackbear or Henry Morgan.
That's the reason why I am a member of the well known Royal Yacht Club.

Reagards Henry M. Bluebear

[Harry]

Stefan isn't always telling truth!

I think, Henry is telling truth