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Remagen
Remaining bridge piers of the famous bridge. Monday 6 July 2015
Our brief stop in Hannover was over very quickly. We needed a night's accommodation and Hannover drew the short straw. As we left the city we followed a tram line for some distance before heading west. The suburbs we drove through seemed attractive but time here was seemingly too brief. Another day perhaps.
The first 30 kilometres drive was through farm land with grain the main crop. Last night's thunderstorm had flattened some of the fields. It was pleasant driving and if we did not have such a long drive today it would be the road to continue on. Soon it was back on the A2, and then the A1, heading west towards cities like Koln, Essen, Bonn. After a coffee stop and later a lunch stop we were soon on the outskirts of this huge industrial region. The motorway junctions are like plates of spaghetti. How anyone gets through them without GPS we'll never know. Perhaps the car that is parked up tried it and ran out of fuel in the process. Polly was marvellous and the driver followed the instructions to the letter. Navigator made sure we took the right then left then
Remagen
The main shopping street. right fork and soon we were driving into Bonn on our way to Remagen.
The town of Remagen would have lived its life as a sleepy village had it not been for its bridge and WWII, and a film called "The Bridge at Remagen". A brief background note. There used to be a bridge here. During WWII the Allies tried to bomb it to trap the German troops. Then the Germans tried to blow it up to prevent the Allies crossing. It was the last bridge standing across the Rhine. Both sides failed. The Germans got across and so did the Allies. Then the bridge collapsed. Previous Kiwi Adventurers were sent on a mission to photograph the bridge. Now it is our turn. All that remains are a pair of bridge piers on either side of the river.
Remagen is an historic town with the remains of an old wall, church dating back to the 17th century as well as some half timbered houses. The tidy narrow streets make it pedestrian friendly and the Rhine is at its doorstep. River cruise boats tie up on their journeys up and down the river. The huge barges bringing cargo up
Remagen
Part of the old town wall. the river are too big to fit into a photo.
Our stay was brief but enjoyable. There is still about 100 kilometres to drive and we don't want to be late for check in. Our hotel is 11 kilometres up the Mosel Valley from Koblenz where we stay for three nights. First impressions have us wondering if we should stay longer. Not to worry we have another night about an hour further upstream.
Dinner is at another Italian restaurant recommended by our host. It was a great way to finish the day. After paying the bill and using some appropriate Italian phrases the host wondered if we would like a small drink. Last time this happened when travelling in Italy we struggled to get back to the accommodation. So we politely said no and headed back to our room ready for a big sleep. We must try a German restaurant before we leave Germany. Time is running out.
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G&G
non-member comment
Remagen
Still haven't watched the movie although I do know where to get it on YouTube.What did you think of the museum?For all the places we have been in Germany,Remagen has been one of the few places that has a memorial to both side of the war shared in the same place.Generally any recognition of what happened in a battle is told in different locations.