Thursday in Dortmund!

If the shopping center in Dortmund wasn't enough of a surprise... how about a lake? 

The steel mills are gone... and when they went down and tried to 

clean it all up they discovered a water source under the giant hole they had dug.  

So, they decided to let it fill and build up the area around the lake.  This is the result.  Uschi and Reiner took me here on Thursday morning and we strolled around. 

 The only problem was that the sun didn't come out!

Beautiful approach to the water...
 keeping some of the old and adding a lot new!

 "He leads me beside still waters"...Ps. 23
placed here by a local church

Yes, it's a large lake!

 It goes just as far in the other direction, too!  

They have the coolest way to design sycamore trees.
You can see some of the new development in the background.

 And here we are.. Uschi is looking up at a plane going over!
Look at all the new building of apartments on the distant shore.
The sun came out for just a little bit. 

An old brewery.. or oh no-- was it part of the mill? 
I can't remember right now!  I hate getting old.

 Another view!

This is the "project" that is being developed and will continue to be.
"The Phoenix See" (auf Deutsch)

This is the description of the "castle" but i can't read it. 

Some help--German translators???

After leaving the lake and driving around some of the area... we headed to

were Rob and Heather went to school 21 years ago.   

Helene Lange Gymnasium. (Sorry, Michelle we didnt get to your school.)

I totally hadn't remembered there being a Kindergarten
and elementary school there, too!

The old place definitely needs some TLC

As we were walking by... we saw these little kids all by themselves in the playground.
They looked at us and then....

JUMPED!

No visit to Dortmund would be complete without a quick trip
to Hombruch...We had coffee and cake at a little 
brand new coffee shop right next to the old church. 

 Then just walked down the street and wouldn't you know it...

 The last 2 things that I'd been looking for -
we found right in these little shops!

 Remember Brinkman's? 

 Uschi and I have so much fun shopping together and

 even Reiner likes the ice cream part!  But after our last outing together... 

we headed home... 

 to find my friend not looking too chipper.

His neighbor was trying to help him feel better.
but his leg is still not good!

 I sure hope this isn't that last time
I get to see him.

Some of the owners talking with U & R!!!
A typical scene around the horse farm.

Even the silversmith came on Thurs... to shoe some horses.

 Back in the house and starting to pack...
Uschi brought this into my room and asked if we wanted it back.
(Hadn't remembered this either)

Turns out this was our TV in Germany 21 years ago and we
gave it to Uschi and Reiner when we left.  
It was a little tiny Black and White TV---or so we thought. 
Reiner said he turned it on and it was in color...So, kids,
I guess we could have been watching this in color the whole time!
WHO KNEW? 


So for our last evening together before my early flight out on Friday morning
we went to the garden to have supper.

 Just some beauties I found there.

This is their outdoor lounge---  Where we lounged!

                                             Two of Uschi's roses.

And the fish in Reiner's pond are really getting big!  

                       

                                A toast to friendship and great times and great pizza!
                        Reiner.. you didn't count to 3-- We weren't quite ready. 

All in the presence of great company!

Sitting outside until dark would have been fun.. but it never gets completely dark

until around 10:30.  Had to retire a little earlier for our 5:30 am take off tomorrow so we left the lounge well before dark.

But we did sit out and soak up some great sun 

and listen to the horses and their riders trot by right outside the fence for a good while.  

Uschi and Reiner, 

Thank you for a wonderful time with you both!  

And the kitty cats, too!  They are so cute! 

I can't thank you enough for all you did --all you cooked--

all you drove--all you shopped and on and on and on.....

And the ice cream and chocolate.. What more is there to say? 

Did i dream all that?  

It was a wonderful dream, that's for sure. 

Now it is your turn to come here to Kigali!  

Looking forward to your visit. 

And thank you again and again! 

love you both! 

margie