Four members from Elmbridge joined the 2009 Friendship weekend which was hosted by club Munsterland Sud in Germany. There were also visitors from the other linked clubs, Kristiansand in Norway, Almelo in Holland and Silkeborg in Denmark. It was yet another inspiring weekend for all with lots of talk, laughter and some serious discussion.
We all arrived ion Thursday evening in Ludinghausen, and were welcomed in the Hotel zur Post with tea, coffee and cakes (funeral tea!) and, of course, we chatted! We were distributed to our hosts and taken to our homes for the next few nights. It was interesting to see the distances members had to drive to meetings. One hostess was 45 minutes from the meeting place.
Friday dawned and we were driven into Ludinghausen, where we boarded the coach for Remondis, the largest industrial recycling plant in Europe – it was enormous! The main offices were in a listed building – very art-deco. We were treated to a very enthusiastic talk by their PR guru who spoke immaculate English. The German Government allows for only 20% of waste to go into landfill, and the rest MUST be re-cycled. We were taken round the plant by coach and shown (the outside and the inside) of the various sections. They re-cycled over 60% of industrial waste, from plastic bottles to industrial toxins, from compostables to electronics. Did you know that the fleeces that we wear to keep warm are made from old Coke bottles? This plant did not actually deal with paper or card, but with almost everything else. We then watched a DVD (copies available!) and had a snack (delicious) lunch. This company has plants all over the world, and the British one is in the Midlands. What an impressive way to see how re-cycling can and should work.
We were taken back and changed into ‘evening dress’ and on our way to our various ‘host dinners’. Food and conversation were first-rate, even if one couldn’t understand everything!
On Saturday we drove to Munster, a lovely city, where we met the charismatic owner of a Publishing House (of children’s books) who explained his work. But he was also a collector of ephemera from flea-markets all over Europe. You name it, he had it! His offices in a ‘re-cycled’ fire station were a wonderful eclectic treasure trove of objects. Lunch in a harbour-side restaurant, and then a walk around Munster Cathedral and the city. Home again and into glad-rags for the Gala Dinner. Again, a super meal with good company and conversation long into the night.
Following breakfast in the stunning architecht designed home of Monica, we departed for home the next day and the two of us driving managed to get us lost trying to get out of Germany!! So many acquaintances sent their love and good wishes to absent friends, and the whole week-end was a delight. We cannot recommend it highly enough.
Next year we’ll be in Kristiansand in Norway another opportunity to enjoy the wonderful Soroptimist hospitality of our friends.