the heatwave continues. there may be a cool breeze coming off the water in kiel to power our sailboat tomorrow, we hope. yesterday was a travel day. we rushed to pack bags, eat breakfast and drive to the trolley stop. we made it to the main train station with plenty of time to spare. we settled comfortably in the super modern InterCity Express. After an hour we stopped in tiny station and heard the announcement. Someone had had an accident on the stretch of tracks ahead of us and we would not be able to continue on the journey. We expect a delay of at least an hour, said the conductor. We settled into our seats while some travellers got some fresh air or lit up cigarettes outside the train. The moment we had accepted our fate, another announcement startled us from our stupor.
"Travel guests on their way to Kiel may take train leaving in 10 minutes from track 41."
We scoop up backpacks, travel guides, bottled water and snacks, Ipods and children. we schlepp all this down the steps, down the passage and up the steps to the next gate. we're in the right place, almost. our gate is a subsidiary gate so we have to walk over the tracks to the parallel track. my 6 year old skips across, trips and flies onto her face. i console her, check for broken bones as my mother and 13 year old catch up to us, panting. we board the train, shoehorn the luggage in to the aisle and collapse into our seats.
90 sweaty minutes later we arrive in kiel. our friends waiting to receive us at the station are a sight for travelweary eyes.
we barbeque in the park and tumble into bed.
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