A Little Sommerfest 2025

 Our final day in Korschenbroich and the last day of the Little Sommerfest dawns and we all try and have a bit of a sleep in, it’s been a very big week full of lots of excitement and I think everyone is just a bit exhausted. Beate has promised us a typical Bavarian breakfast this morning. It consists of traditional Bavarian sausage made from minced veal and pork with lovely herbs like parsley and spices, ginger and cardamom but these recipes can vary. The weißwurst is boiled rather than fried. It is served with pretzel and a delicious sweet mustard and also beer if served before midday. Just delicious….. Please don’t be surprised that on our last day of Sommerfest we have one last adventure, again about 10 minutes away. We visit the Hombroich art installation just outside Neuss. Fascinating that what feels like the middle of nowhere is where these artists would do their work, most have died now but their work remains out here in the fields. A wonderful place to wander for a few hou...

 As the 2025 Sommerfest is slowly coming to an end, Beate and Burkhard still have a couple of adventures up their sleeves and today we off to see a castle.     Schloss Rheydt Only 10 minutes away, it seems there is so much to see just 10 minutes away from where they live. It’s not only a castle but also a really lovely walk through the forest surrounding the castle. We have Carlo with us as well and he is having the best time, still playing games with Stuart and I. Beautiful castle surrounded by water as well. We sat in the courtyard and contemplated for a while before heading to a little are there with a really nice water view. We enjoyed a coffee there but no food as we are saving up for dinner. Lovely morning and back home for a quiet afternoon. Tonight Tina and Harry are taking us out for dinner as a thank you in kind for the party. We go to a great and very busy Italian restaurant within walking distance from home. Another great evening and the food was fabulous. Ver...

 Well, the day dawns for the morning after the big event. A little lie in for some and a big lie in for others. We didn’t have the best sleep as the duf duf music continued until well after 3 am. It appears the party moved to the indoor pool after we oldies had gone to bed. The pool is directly under Beate and Burkhard’s room but I doubt they were up there dancing to the duf. People moving about most of the night and I thought I heard to dishwasher being emptied about 6ish but i think that was some guests having a feed before heading off to bed. It was a fabulous night and for those who could manage it we had a great breakfast of eggs, bbq sausages, meats and cheeses. Sitting out on the back patio and it’s a superb morning. Most of the day spent tidying up, washing and putting things back to where they came from. Most of the UK contingent headed out to the airport for the trip home kindly driven by Tina, which I can imagine is the last thing she felt like doing. Once the house look...

 Today is the day and the biggest reason for our journey over to Germany. The Little Sommerfest or Benderfest or engagement party is about to begin. First guests will arrive about 3pm but that still gives a little time to finalise a few last minute details. Beate is so well prepared and organised, i’m just taking on the role of sous chef and doing what I’m told for now. And so the party began, what transpired was a truly wonderful afternoon and evening. Lots of friends and family of the Benders. People were incredibly welcoming of us, being the complete strangers that we were. English was widely spoken for our benefit, which was so appreciated. I feel I will let the photos do most of the talking about the day. There were so many fabulous moments and I can only think that the happy couple had a wonderful evening and Burkhard and Beate can be immensely proud of their event. And we again thank them for inviting us to be part of it.❤️

 There is a lot preparation to be done this morning to set us up for the next couple of days. We start by heading out at a reasonable time to get the shopping done , so we can start cooking on our return. Our Aldi haul! But before we do start cooking, there is one cute little dog who would really love a walk. Carlo for some reason has been ignoring Stuart and I but this walk may have mellowed him a little as he really seemed to be playing games with us. The walk is through a beautiful forest that just happens to be across the road. Burkhard and Stuart are very excited by this prospect but willing to be hands on with Beate to get this part done. So whilst Beate and I cooked, the backyard transformed. The lights and tents went up and our dinner table grew from seating for 8 to seating for 20 due to Burkhard and Stuart’s handiwork. There are 5 of Tina and Harry’s dearest are coming from the UK  to stay for the celebration weekend and they will arrive about 5pm with 2 more arrivin...