Yes, we are driving there again in mid September where it is expected that a further stick of unexploded handbags will be returned to England.
With the main mission completed and following another cruise up the river, I will be free to look at war sites, battlefields and so on.
Any suggestions? or is it a case of `don`t mention the war`
Last trip 5 years ago.
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According to Koblenz tourism, there is a Museum of Military History in the city (my German is a bit rusty, though).
I don't think that the region saw much significant action in either of the World Wars. Your best bet for a historical site would probably to go north up the Rhine to the site of the Bridge at Remagen.
I'd love to go to Germany! Anywhere would be nice, but I have a soft spot for the mountains, so Southern Bavaria would be favourite. SWMBO only likes "sunny" places though.
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I don't think that the region saw much significant action in either of the World Wars.
Dont say that in Koblenz, a lot of the town is post 1945, with a pleasant old area which the RAF/USAF missed.
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I think the bridge at Remagen, a major Rhine crossing and heavily fought over, is fairly near Koblenz. I wasn't there and my gegraphy is a bit hazy so no harsh comments please!
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I was standing near the statue at the Moselle Rhine confluence once and someone told me an American tank had rolled up and took a shot at the original statue of the horse and rider. This had missed and blown up a bungalow on the opposite side of the Rhine - with the second shot taking off the statue.
I remember when it was just a bare plinth in 1980.. Good trip that on the SR 500, but nearly froze to death near Aachen...
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I remember when it was just a bare plinth in 1980.. Good trip that on the SR 500 but nearly froze to death near Aachen...
Single cylinder Yamaha or am I confused?
Best reg's......MD
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It's a while since I was last in Germany - I'm sure that this is the brewery we visited one night, travelling by coach and returning later on one of the Rhine cruise boats to our Koblenz hotel:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:K%C3%B6nigsbacher_Braue...g
However, the brewery names are all pretty similar....:-)
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Dont say that in Koblenz a lot of the town is post 1945 with a pleasant old area which the RAF/USAF missed.
And General George S. Patton Jr. visited it in person with his Third Army.
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You can see the little green topped rhine ferry on Google. I got talking to a guy running it - built 1953.
I think sometime around then they recovered the Goethe steam paddle boat from the river bottom. Incredible restoration job.
I like laying in bed in the hotel, listening to the diesel engines of boats coming up the Rhine. Very few of those old `rythmic beat` (two stroke diesels or what?) engines heard now in the night.
Edited by oilrag on 16/08/2009 at 22:33
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I'd love to go to Germany! Anywhere would be nice but I have a soft spot for the mountains so Southern Bavaria would be favourite. SWMBO only likes "sunny" places though.
Could I suggest you check the climate of Bavaria/Austria, I have spent lots of time in sunbathing weather while spring skiing. Zell am see is a good all year round resort. The ski lifts are used for access to the mountain restaraunts and bars in summer without the climb and the area around the lake at Zell is a good holiday area.
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Ive looked at that magnificent tree in the square too (near the funny fountain) and wondered how that survived the war unscathed.
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Thanks for the tip, ON! I'll get the weather data and confuse her with the facts.
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>>SWMBO only likes "sunny" places though.
>>
NO problem. Send 'er away with my Missus and I'll come with you.
You can stick 'ot where the Sun does shine.
I'll find my case and await your call.
Regards.............MD
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Depending on your route there and back, could a visit to Arnhem in Holland fit in?
I was in that area for a few months and it was certainly worth a wander round and we used to pop down to Koblentz fairly often so it couldn't have been too far. (unlike the weekend jaunts down to Italy and back).
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If you can manage to get to Arnhem I reccomend you take the lift to the top of the cathederal tower, fantastic views for miles around.
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the old man went here, not sure if it is an option for you this time
tinyurl.com/5v6set
said it was wonderfull, got a hundred bugatti just for starters.
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You may care to visit Rudesheim. There used to be a cable car trip through the vineyards, and I understand the wine is quite good (if you like German white)
Can also confirm there is a miltary museum in Koblenz (at least there was in 1982). ISTR a very big picture of Adolf, which some skinheaded youths were very keen on.
Edited by AlastairW on 16/08/2009 at 23:38
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Many years ago, I visited relatives serving at Rheindalen(?) who took us to visit the site of the only tank battle to take place on Dutch soil.
There were tanks in the state they'd been left in after the battle scattered around.
The Jewish memorial was extremely moving.
There was an obelisk, with an inscription which left you in no doubt where they thought the danger lay.
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>Many years ago, I visited relatives serving at Rheindalen(?)
A friend of mine was based at Rheindahlen in the mid 80's working on the Harrier simulator. I used to spend weekends with him when I was working in Paderborn because I got loads of time on the simulator.
It was amusing to see the guys run around the stands with a big propane burner, warming up the tarmac behind aircraft whenever they knew a Soviet satellite was due.
Kevin...
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Martin. Yes, the SR 500 was a Yamaha single. Good fun, but not really suited to a long trip like that - with its upright riding position. It was torture trying to hold 80mph for hours on end with the wind pressure. Winter weather too, with snow on the hills through Germany.
brrr - never again!
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