Friday, August 24, 2012

The Meeting of Friends and Rivers

Imagine my utter disbelief AFTER returning home to discover that while we were in Koblenz, I was only 30 minutes away from Barbina (Little Things Made With Love).  Her blog profile states that she lives in a "small German village" but never in a million years would I have believed she would be so close.  I told hubby we definitely have to go back again.
Before we traveled, he had made plans to meet with friends/business associates.  Nick and his childhood friend, Elmer, drove from Amsterdam on their motorcycles to visit with us for two days.  Nick has done business with Sam's family for nearly 20 years.
While they did a bike tour on the second day, we spent time with Mathias who drove over from the Dusseldorf area.
And on the last day, another business associate/friend drove from Amsterdam with his family to have lunch with us.  We had ice cream ...
and then walked along the riverfront.  Little Hassan wanted to do everything the big boys did. 

Deutsches Eck or The German Corner is where a massive statue of Kaiser Wilhelm (William the Great) overlooks where the Rhine and Mosel rivers flow together.  The inscription reads: "Nimmer wird das Reich zerstöret, wenn ihr einig seid und treu" (Never will the Empire be destroyed, so long as you are united and loyal).  It was partially destroyed by artillery shell in 1945 and only reinstalled in 1993 after a couple from Koblenz agreed to bear all costs of reconstruction.
On this day, while the guys sat around.
I actually walked to the top of the monument.



Where the view was great!
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Have a wonderful day!

27 comments:

oldthings said...

Dear Tammy
You had fine moments with your friends in Koblenz. It is a pity that you didn't met with your blogger friend ..May be another time .
Olympia

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

What a splendid time! Such great photos of you all and with friends! Love the one with the little guy and your sons :) Just noticed his shirt echos the right caption.

Climbing the monument was what I would had done too. Beautiful!

Barbina said...

Beautiful pictures Tammy! It is so sad we couldn´t met! Next time you are around my place, you are most welcome to visit me!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs, Barbina

Maya Kuzman said...

I love reading and looking at photos of other travellers as a way to see and learn about parts of the worlds I might never visit. Quite enjoyed the post and the pictures. Too bad you couldn't arrange a meeting with Barbina - but there is always next time!

Shane Pollard said...

Wonderful photos Tammy.
What a shame about Barbina - so close too.....

looks like the boys had a great time.

I love your quote from Mark Twain.

love
Shane
xox

Linda said...

Great photos, lots of smiles, and beautiful scenery! :)

Elna said...

Lovely pictures and thank you for sharing. Have a great friday.

Hugs
Elna

Rostrose said...

Yes my dear: Dream. Discover. Sail away! :o)) I'm happy that you had a good time in Germany with friends and family! (Little Hassan between the big boys is so cute :o)) What a pitty that you didn't meet your blog-friend Barbina! But that's a good reason to visit Mddle-Europe again SOOOOOON! :o)) And I hope next time you will come a little bit closer to Vienna, too :o)
Warm hugs, Traude

Sheila Rumney said...

Thanks for taking us on another adventure and sharing all the beauty in your world. Hoping your weekend is great.

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,

You had quite a hectic time for meeting with three sets of business associates. But in all it must have been lovely; minus the heat. They are not all prepared for that, lacking often the air conditioning.
Hugs to you,
Mariette

Yarni Gras! said...

thanks for sharing your trip with us! I love the photos you take .

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Such lovely pictures. I love seeing all the cool places you go and those smiling faces too. Everyone seems to be having a really good time. :)

Blessings always

Anonymous said...

Oh, dear.....you DO have to go back to meet up with your friend. SO CLOSE!!!

Germany is so pretty ~ your photos make me want to go back one day. I love the one with your boys and the little guy! He brought a smile to everyone's face!

Aren't you happy you went to the top of the monument? You got the BEST view!

Hugs
Jan

Becca said...

Looks like a wonderful time was had by all. Love seeing the photos and sights.

Sangeetha said...

Hi Tammy, Lovely photos. I like your pic in the blue top. Beautiful smile. I see from the photos on the left that you have traveled a lot. Do let me know if you decide to come back to India :) Wouldn't it be great if we could meet up?
Love

Mereknits said...

Such beautiful photos, so glad you were able to spend time with friends.
Hugs,
Meredith

Hearts Turned said...

What a lovely trip, Tammy! Love that you climbed to the top of the monument--I would have done the same.

One of my favorite quotes from Mark Twain--so true!

Wishing you a beautiful day, dear friend!

Julie

Mrs. Micawber said...

I often dream of visiting bloggy friends - I hope you can meet up with Barbina another time! Beautiful photos, especially from the top of the monument.

Diane said...

You met so many friends in that time, it's too bad you missed one. Hope it was a wonderful trip. Diane

Wildflowerhouse said...

Great photos and such a wonderful trip you have had. You are so lucky to get to travel like you do. Have a great weekend.

Pam said...

Such great photos. Sounds like you had a great trip and got to visit with friends also. Too bad you didn't realize you were so close to your blog friend.

nanny said...

Beautiful shots,, I know you are glad you went to the top ! That's great!

vintage grey said...

So beautiful and what a great view!! Happy weekend to you! xo Heather

Serena Lewis said...

Such a shame you missed out on a potential meet-up with Barbina...
maybe next time. I enjoyed the pics and the piece of history you shared. Always fun to catch up with friends when visiting places.

Have a lovely weekend ~ xo

Dagmar said...

Your quote of Mark Twain's is one of my favorite ones...so many opportunities to see new things..lovely photos and post!❤

Melissa said...

Love your quote. It is certainly fitting for your situation. I love Germany, so much beauty and history. I see your boys had a little toy to play with to keep them entertained...lol! Its always fun meeting up with new people. Makes the trip more interesting.
Guten Tag!

Sam I Am...... said...

How interesting to learn some history of the region. What a beautiful monument too. It must have cost a fortune to restore it.
Is your hubby's name Sam? That's my nick name...everyone calls me Sam. Your boys must be growing by leaps and bounds! They're all legs!
My boys used to have growing pains they grew so fast when they were teenagers. So your boys have that? That little one is so cute too!
Yes, I would have gone up to the monument too unless it was too high as I have a fear of heights.
What a great visit.

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