In the October break, a group of our swimmers, coaches and some parent helpers travelled to Ubach-Palenberg in the north-west of Germany for our annual exchange. We’ve been exchanging visits for 20 year now so this was a special year. We have a report from coach Irene Skeldon, and although all the swimmers will have their own thoughts and memories of the trips they’ve been a bit reticent about providing input to this report (especially the older ones…!!!). However, a few unfortunate children of parent helpers have been coerced into providing us with some words…..
“I thought Germany was a good experience because we got to make new friends and it was great fun. My favourite day was the Thursday when we went to an indoor water park. It had great slides and diving boards. It was the longest time I have ever been in a swimming pool.” Nicole Williamson – Silver Squad
“I had a bonecrackingly smashing time. My favourite day was Wednesday when we went to a theme park and I broke my wrist.” John Duncan – Bronze Squad
“I think Germany was a great experience. The families we were staying with were extremely nice. In two years time I think the people who didn’t come on the trip this year should give it a go! During out visit we made lots of new friends. My favourite day was Wednesday because we went to the theme park. The other trips were very amusing too! The only down bit was the long bus drives and leaving Germany!” Heather Duncan – Bronze Squad
“We went to lots of exciting places like the mining museum, aquarium, Efterling theme park, water park and shopping.
The swimmers loved going to these places. One of our swimmers, John Duncan, had terrible fall and broke his arm.
But he has got better. At the end of the week we had a dance. It was really great. Our swimmers really enjoyed the dance and so did the coaches. Dianne sang a beautiful song and she sounded lovely. The journey back was an OK trip. We got on the ferry and had a super dinner and breakfast. We all want to thank Dianne Kennedy for this great experience with the Germans which has been going on for 20 years. Our swimmers got t-shirts from them too.” Ellen Williamson – Bronze Squad.
Report by Irene Skeldon
We started off the journey with the weather on our side and the journey down to Hull was reasonably quiet with no loud music blasting through the bus (great things these iPods). We boarded the ferry safely and the requisite swimmer who forgot to pack his overnight bag (there is always one) was Graham. The crossing over to Hull was calm with only a few that felt a little seasick. On arriving at Rotterdam early in the morning with a lot of tired swimmers (forgetting that they should have gone to bed to sleep on the ferry). It was a lovely sunny day although Lesley was convinced we were in Zebrugge.
We arrived in Ubach Palenberg on the Sunday around 13.30 and met up with the host families, many meeting up for the first time. The remainder of the day was spent with the hosts, some meeting up and getting to know the families and enjoying the day.
Monday we set off at 08:00 with the sun shining and headed for Belgium to Liege visiting and Aquarium and Museum. An English speaking guide was on hand and gave us a very interesting tour explaining the many different fish and their habitats. As it was a lovely day we stopped off at a beautiful little village called Monschau on the way back where we were able to stroll through the streets, eat fresh waffles and buy some nice souvenirs and Christmas decorations in the multitude of Christmas shops!
Tuesday was yet another lovely sunny day and took us to Brocken where we visited a reconstructed coal mining museum. This was a tour that took us underground with a guide and there were some chortles as our German host handed huge mining drills to volunteers and asked them to hold them over their heads (some male pride was dented). That evening some of the older swimmers went bowling.
Wednesday seemed to be the highlight of the week. We were scheduled to start off at 08:00 but we were delayed by a straggler (Michael R) who was a little late arriving at the bus to start the journey to Holland to visit Efterling Theme Park in Oastenhant. The weather was not so good this morning. The early rain did not put any of the swimmers off as they grouped up quickly to explore the park to take on the challenge of the exciting rides. Some even attempted the water rides, many finding themselves a little uncomfortable after their attempt, or was it to see, dare I say, who had the wettest bum at the finish. Everyone had a great day. The evening was spent with a disco arranged for the younger swimmers.
Thursday we started off a little later as we headed again to Holland to the fun swimming pool in Gulpen. Here there were river rapids, flumes and slides probably more like the wild west as the river rapids were very strong and the flumes a bit fierce. I think the wilder it was the better the swimmers enjoyed themselves, even with the bumps and bruises they still kept going and nothing seemed to hinder anyone. Some were not too happy to have to get out the water after 6 hours fro the return journey!
Friday and our last day to catch up with the shopping, we boarded the bus heading for Aachen stopping off at the Lindt Chocolate factory to stock up with the chocolate before exploring the city. No matter where you go you always find a MacDonalds where many swimmers had lunch before heading for the shops. Rachel, Erin, Shaunna and James even tasted the water from the sulphur springs (smelly water supposedly good for the system). This may be true Rachel, you were not sick on the return journey.
After our shopping trip we headed back to Ubach Palenburg with not much time to get ready for the disco in the evening. There was so much to cram into this day. As it is 20 years since we started our exchanges visits with the VfR Swimming Club the club laid on a very special ceremony to mark this occasion .We all attended an unveiling of a plaque at a special memorial for peace which is located right at the border of the town with Holland. The words on this plaque commemorating a special relationship with Scotland were written in Gaelic as one of our ancient languages. There were speeches made by local mayor and the president of the swimming club. We’re hoping to get a translation of the local newspaper report to distribute.
The evening finished with a fantastic buffet and disco in the local high school where speeches opened up the evening and Dianne, as the only member that has made all the journeys since the start of the friendship was awarded a goblet (only ever presented by VfR club once before in its history). All swimmers received a t-shirt and the club was presented with a flag to mark the event. It was great night with lots of food and dancing. Special mentions must go to Stuart and the older boys for their impersonation of a German male voice choir, Dianne for her beautiful rendition of “My Heart Must Go On” (possibly not too fitting for the day before a ferry trip), and Emma Dugan for her championship standard disco dancing!
Then it was back to the host families to pack our bags and get ready for the journey home.
Saturday morning dawned wet and miserable to start the acclimatisation for home. We all met together at the bus with tired and sad faces to say our last farewells and thank the hosts and the swimming club for such a wonderful packed week.
We headed off to the ferry and it did not take long until most of the swimmers were fast asleep after the busy week we’d had.
We arrived at the ferry terminal in plenty of time, reminding Lesley that we were in Rotterdam. We had another good crossing despite the fact that some of our swimmers were rejuvenated enough to want to keep the tired ones awake all night! Just as well we had that hour that we’d lost on the way in hand as we set our watches back to British time.
The journey back to Loanhead was quiet again as we scraped the barrel of our onboard DVD collection.
Thanks go to bus driver, helpers, hosts and all who took part in organising the trip as this could not go ahead or be a success without them for all the work that has to be done beforehand.
