End of Year Trip

So, the class from Platjenwerber has finished yet another year of English with Sharon.  It is often hard to assess what we have learned, but not hard to assess how much fun we have - we have a lot of fun! And we celebrate the end of the "school year" with some sort of event.  We've often done rowing the last few years - even  twice with Hunter and Hannah and once with Michelle. 

This year we opted for a bike trip - to Maria's house.  She comes the furthest distance to our English lessons every week and has been doing it for 25 years.  Good grief, that's dedication.  She thought too it would be interesting for us to see how far she has been going for English.  We were all impressed!

The weather was PERFECT.  It had rained in the night, and the day was overcast but dry.  Not hot, not wet, not bad!  25K there and 25K back (about 15 miles each way).  Some of us biked and some of us rode in a car.  Naturally, Werner and I chose to bike! (It was my first sorta-long-distance trip with the new bike. Did good!)

Seven of us took the challenge and here we are at the start.  Electric-assisted bikes are the new range here and two of our folks were trying them out on this little trip.  

It was a nice easy go - 15 miles with a stop along the way for water and refreshment.  Unfortunately, Werner leaned the wrong way getting off his bike when we took the water break and got a nasty cut.  But we were prepared!!!  Tissues and Duct Tape!  Never ever leave home without Duct Tape.  Really.  

At Maria's lovely home in the countryside we enjoyed coffee and cake and a pot luck late lunch / early dinner / tea (if you're British).  And we do eat plenty and enjoy it all, but we enjoy even more talking and enjoying each others' company for a couple of hours. A bit of bubbly helped the conversation along.

What a group!  I love them all.  Unfortunately, next year we will lose a member.  Lisa had a health set-back recently and English has to go.  We will be so sad to lose her!  But we can't shrink any further, so there's a search on for a compatible replacement.

The annual group picture.  Aren't we a handsome bunch?

Us bikers headed back and the riders stayed to help Maria clean up. Cooperation and team play is the name of the game with these folks.

See you all in September.