Thüringen

19/8/2021 – Herford – As Flemish we can be proud of a lot of things, and as citizens born and bred in Ghent we can be proud of much more. For example, we are proud of Jan Hoet. It is true that he is originally from the Waasland, but he found his second breath in Ghent. The art pope opened MARTa in 2005 in Herford, a museum of modern art. He was jointly responsible for the execution of the project and was the opening director. The whimsical building in red brick and stainless-steel contrasts sharply with the surroundings and seems to want to bring the sleepy city to life. The collection is a bit disappointing, but Frank Gehry's building surprises in every corner.  Our journey has come to an end, we toast on Jan Hoet, the sun is burning on the museum terrace that opens onto the Aa, a tributary of the Werre. Panta Rhei Jan, thanks for the SMAK and Over the Edges!

18/8/2020 – Bad Salzuflen – Arminius or Herman der Cherusker, does that ring a bell? Varus, the Roman general, surely knew him. In 9 A.D. in Kalkriese, an open space in the Teutoburger Wald, he was crushed by him and lost three legions. Arminius, a Cheruscan who was taken to Rome as a child, received military training and became a Roman citizen, returned to Germania and successfully opposed the Romans. Varus commits suicide. Hero of the region and also still a bit in the whole of Germany. We check in at Hotel Arminius (!) and prepare the bicycles to ride to the Hermanndenkmal. It’s flat from Bad Salzuflen to Lage and Hiddesen, where there is a 400 m high hump in the landscape. On it is a giant statue of Arminius. A tough climb with beautiful serpentines. I sweat, Karin sweats, Frank sweats. The reward is great, above us stands Hermann, the sword in the air, around us the vast landscape. Then downhill for the return trip. We shower and look for food, in times of corona, Germany lock...

17/8/2021 – Goslar - Weltkulturerbe Rammelsberg, an ore mine in use for more than 1000 years and finally closed in 1988. UNESCO World Heritage. Silver, copper and lead were brought to the daylight in this part of the Harz Mountains. Stories of miners, courage and technical progress. We visit the Roederstollen on foot. Thrilling walk, water trickling down from the ceiling. In the old days, water from a nearby lake was cascaded down on huge waterwheels, powering rotating chests that brought up men and ore. Above ground, the shower room, where the miners pulled their clothes and shoes up to the ceiling in a basket. We sleep in Liono, a hotel in the middle of a posh neighbourhood. Reception with coffee on the terrace. Our room bears the name 'Incognito'. Modern bathroom, the size of a living room, and shower knobs that require technical knowledge to turn on. Subdued light. We share the large ‘suite’ and sleep on a pull-out bed in a separate room. Karl Reinecke-Altenau (1938), the a...