Mädels Treff

One of the things that was very high on my ‘to do list’ in Heilbronn was to meet up with my old girl friends from way back when I was in my last two years at school and a few years following until I disappeared to the other side of the world.
There was Simi (otherwise known as Ernie), Caro (otherwise known as Trudi), there was Ingi (known as Gerti), Pat (always known as Pat) and myself (known as Tilly). I really can not remember why we had all those other names…somehow I think Simi was responsible for them.
There was also Stefan all those years ago, as the only boy (and loving it) but very sadly he was away that very weekend and so he wasn’t part of the fabulous catch up that Simi organised. Uli was also missing, she lives in Munich and with Christmas only a couple of weekends away, she simply couldn’t make it.
Simi organised us all and Pat invited us to “Insel Hotel”, the first address in Heilbronn, a hotel her grandparents built and her and one of her sisters now runs. We occupied a place in the lobby, which looked lovely and freshly renovated, and we were far too loud for our elegant surroundings…

Pat had reserved a table for us.

Pat setting up our lunch for us.

Caro and Ingi at the lobby table.

Ingi listening

Strongly encouraged by the free flowing champagne we were soon laughing loudly, adoring old pictures of our younger selves and having a delicious lunch of Maultaschen and the very best potato salad I have eaten in Germany this far.

From left: Pat, Ingi, Simi, Caro and Tanja

Yummy food.

It was really, really lovely to catch up with such good friends, with whom I had somehow lost contact over the years,and pick up exactly where we had left it, ten and twenty years ago. No small talk was needed and we were soon discussing the wrongs of this world and our personal issues and challenges.

Simi and Caro…I love this photo.

What a blast!

I had an absolute blast that morning, which of course was only possible because the amazing Pascale and Michael took it on board to look after my children for half the day. Thank you I am really grateful to you both.
Simi, you did so well to get us all into one place at one time, thank you for that.
Pat, your are a wonderful hostess, thank you very much for your generosity that morning.

On our way home.

I really do hope some of you might make it to New Zealand one of these days.
I loved seeing you all
Tanja
xxx

I love the coat Simi.