Today The Five would become Six. Jonathan had previously predicted he would join us en route on the Train to Soest. In the end he had miscalculated. At Flughafen Düsseldorf we were straining to see him on the Platform. The Train was Stowed.
Checking in at The City Hotel was done electronically, Nay Peeps. Bright, Clean Rooms with a remarkable Shower Room, all appeared well… At night we would discover there was no Aircon, but a Heat Exchanger. It was Hot all night Outside, and so it was a Sweat-box Inside.
Soest is off the beaten track but is famous for Two Features:
The Möhnesee, where in Operation Chastise, 617 Squadron dropped their Bouncing Bombs to breach the Möhne Dam. This was Hector’s Third visit to the Möhnesee .
Attraction #2 is Bräuhaus Zwiebel. Marg and Hector enjoyed a Superb Evening here Ten Years ago. I have been raving about this for that length of time. Dr. Stan managed a Sneaky Visit once on his own, only today does he admit to this.
After a Wander though what is a very Picturesque Town Centre, we found the Brewery. Sitting in a Traditional Ausschank, I asked Doris what was upstairs. The Toilets – was her reply. Anything else? I told her I had been here years ago and sat in a Bright Upstairs Room. Only the Toilet – was her confirmation. In True Dr. Who – Episode 1 mode, I walked around the Building. There, I told you so.
Peter had travelled up on a different train and had yet to find Bräuhaus Zwiebel. We decided to wait for Jonathan’s arrival before going down to Gunne where the Dam is located. A Bier or Two were enjoyed in the wait. The Unfiltered Helles proved to be a great relief from two days on Kölsch. The last time Hector was here was at the tail end of nothing but Weizen, there was also the distraction of the Maibock. The Zwiebel Helles was loved by all. Dr. Stan and Neil tried the Dunkels and returned smartly to the Helles. There had to be Onion Soup!
A Big Taxi was arranged to pick us up at 18.15, still no Jonathan. Kenny went back – to recharge – and find Peter. Jonathan was getting nowhere fast, we decided to use the taxi to collect him. I know where your friend is – declared the Driver. Fifteen minutes and €32.00 later we were at the Sperrmauer, as the Möhne Dam is called locally. We would be collected in one hour.
The only Yellow edition of the Hector Bounced Back polo was unveiled to the public.
In Memory of 617 Squadron – & those who did not return
Uncannily Marg chose this moment to phone. I reminded her of the scene, a short ten years.
In the middle of the Dam between the Two Towers there was a lump in the throat as one realised the moment. Having watched The Dambusters Movie more than a Dozen times, the reality of what happened here hit home. Meanwhile, The Locals use the Dam as part of a Circuitous Walk in the Park. It took the full hour to walk from one end to the other and back. Last time Marg and Hector approached from the overspill lake past the old pen-stock. Dr. Stan did nip down there for a quick look.
Collected at the agreed time, same taxi, different Driver, we were back in less time and €24.00. €16.00 each is what I was expecting to collect for the overall trip. €24.00 confused the Hector who tried to convince the Driver that it was only €16.00 on the way down. Eventually Jonathan suggested I recalculate. Oops.
Peter and Kenny were sat at the Bar awaiting The Möhnesee Four for our Table Reservation at 20.00. Our Table was upstairs in the room I had asked about earlier. There was a Familiar Accent, the Waitress. Vicki from Dumbarton introduced herself. Married to the Brewer at Bräuhaus Zwiebel she is now part of the Soest Community. We were well looked after for the rest of the evening.
For the First and Last time on Hector Bounces Back, Hector would eat German Cooking. There is no Curry House in Soest, a Business Opperchancity. As much as I write about the need for Seasoning, the Försterteller was much enjoyed on Visit #1. Ten Years After, Pork, with More Pork and Cheese proved to be Too Salty! I kid you not. There would be Curry tomorrow in Düsseldorf.
Eventually we were the only Customers left on this Sunday evening. We adjourned to the Bar downstairs to partake of further Helles. Schnapps appeared. An excellent evening. Great Bier and Superb Service. Vicki, thank you.
Who was last out of Bräuhaus Zwiebel?
The Hausbrauerei visited today:
Bräuhaus Zwiebel – Ulricherstraße 24, 59494 Soest, NRW