Whilst two members, travelled to Waldshut by train on the Thursday; six of us travelled by plane on the Friday morning, leaving Lewes at 5am to catch our plane from Gatwick to Basel. The plane journey went well, and we arrived more or less on time. We were met at Basel airport by a large taxi to take us to our hotel in Waldshut and we arrived in fine warm weather. Once we were unpacked and refreshed, we all had some late lunch and afterwards a siesta was in order. At 5pm we had a reception to attend at the new Town Hall. This reception was to welcome us and the Mayor of Lewes and his guests from Lewes Town Council. Here we were met by the Mayor of Waldshut Dr Phillipp Frank and the Waldshut-Tiengen Twinning Committee including the Vice President Elvira Hansmann and other civic dignitaries. Afterwards the six of us retreated back to the Kaiserstrase to a restaurant for dinner which was finished off with an ice cream looking over the Rhine.
On Saturday we woke to a cloudier day, but it was still quite warm. After breakfast we had most of the daytime to ourselves and we all did our own thing, which included investigating the Saturday market and some shopping. In the evening at 8pm we sat down in the Kaiserstrasa for the “Heimatabend” this year it was play about the history of the Kaiserstrasa. Unfortunately, if started to rain during the performance but we were not deterred and plastic capes were handed out to all the audience. When this finished at about 10.30pm the rain had stopped, and we were all treated to an ice cream each by the Mayor Waldshut before being treated to a late supper at the marquee up at the Chilbi Plaza
On the Sunday morning we woke to a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. We had free time, some when to church and others went for a walk. At lunchtime there was a small reception before the start of the Chilbi procession in the afternoon. Then it was all up to the marquee again for more food and beer. In the evening some of us were invited to dinner at the Waldshuter Hof as guests of the Mayor of Waldshut. After dinner the party broke up and we were all able to view the “Romantiische Sommernaght” when the Kaiserstrasa is illuminated by Chinese lanterns. The only problem was the rain, but the night sky was also illuminated by streaks of lightning.
Monday morning the light rain was relentless, some went for a walk while others did more shopping. Then after lunch we all met up and caught the train to Tiengen, where we met by Elvira who had organised for us an interesting tour of Tiengen. Luckily, the rain had stopped, and it was a delightful tour showing the history and culture of this lovely old market town. After a stop for coffee we were then treated to drinks and refreshments by Elvira and Franz at their house, sitting outside brought on the rain and the umbrella’s, we sat outside in the rain enjoying our refreshments and the generous hospitality. For many of us this tour was the highlight of our weekend.
We returned to Waldshut and the Chilbi marquee at about 5.15pm in time for the performance by Stadtmusic and the “Wunschkonzert”. By this time, it was raining hard with thunder and lightning. When number 7 was called for “Sussex By The Sea”, most of us all went up to the front of the stage (including the Mayor and Mayoress of Lewes) and sang the words of Sussex By The Sea, this went down well with the packed audience in the marquee. After more beer and food, we all took advantage of a break in the rain at about 9pm and returned to our hotel in the Kaiserstrasa.
On the Tuesday morning it was raining again, after breakfast it was time to pack and buy any last minute shopping. We had lunch and were then met by Elvira at 2pm when we said our goodbyes and our taxi returned us to Basel airport.
On the Tuesday morning it was raining again, after breakfast it was time to pack and buy any last minute shopping. We had lunch and were then met by Elvira at 2pm when we said our goodbyes and our taxi returned us to Basel airport.