Gummersbach/Home

We’re on the home stretch now. We stopped in Gummersbach overnight as it was just over half way between Dresden and Calais. Pleasant little place with a lake. The hotel we stayed in suggested a Croatian restaurant down the road which turned out to be a complete meat fest.

A slightly strange and melancholy meal. Earlier I had some very sad news from a dear friend. The table behind me (Steve told me afterwards) was occupied by a group of women, making notes, who were somber and sometimes breaking down in tears. Steve said it was extremely sad and affecting. Later in the early hours of the morning I wasn’t sure if I was asleep or awake but I sensed someone standing next to the bed. Of course there was no-one there.

All unsettling and a reminder that life is finite and filled with tragedy as well as joy. I know how lucky I have been to get a second chance at life and I grieve for those who didn’t.

So, to summarise our “Return of the Road Warriors” trip:

⁃ It was indeed hot, at least for most of the hiking

⁃ No-one asked about Brexit but they did grill Steve about football

⁃ I hate service stations that make you pay for a pee

⁃ Prague was disappointing but Dresden was surprising

⁃ All of the places we visited that we missed last time were amazing

⁃ Would I do it again? In a flash

Dedicated to Amelia