Day No. 140 German-French Day

In the past, we've already gotten into the habit of also addressing a few topics of the day. - Today is the anniversary of the Élysée Treaty. What was that again? - But first let's switch to the weather...

This morning we are woken up early by the pattering rain on our roof. At first we try to ignore it, but at the latest when it turns into a hailstorm, this is no longer possible. - Suddenly we also see lightning, which is immediately followed by thunderclaps. - Slowly it becomes uncomfortable.

So now we've been hit too. The Schied weather is here. The heavens open their floodgates. I look again at the lightning, which is immediately followed by thunderclaps. That sounds pretty damn close.

I take another look at the weather forecast. Should I have read it wrong? No, it clearly says here that there is only a 5 % chance of rain. But what is that out there then?

At some point, even Torgit gets too much. She wants to take a shower after all. So a rain poncho is put on over the surf poncho. - But it's only when she opens the sliding door that panic sets in. We are standing in a small lake. Where are our flip-flops? They've gone on a hike, or rather a swim. 

I heroically jump out into the cool water. We don't find them at first. The question of guilt is quickly clarified, I bear the responsibility. But Torgit soon discovers my flip-flops and I discover hers. - We are a well-rehearsed team after all. So we wade towards the showers. The entire path is about 20 cm deep under water. 

The brown broth is ice cold, but in the end it turns out that the showers are a little higher. So at least we're not standing in cold water in the shower. 

Who of you always jumped into the biggest puddles as a child? Me too! - That's why I still enjoy it today. While most people have barricaded themselves in their vehicles, I'm having fun and singing to myself...

"I'm singin' in the rain

Just singin' in the rain

What a glorious feeling

I'm happy again"

Homage to Gene Kelly

If that were all, we could count ourselves lucky. We are, even though our water tap in the van is now also on strike. Once again I realize how useful van forums can be. At least we have now found the cause. We're still working on fixing it.

So we use today to at least clear the ship in Hector. And all in the hope that we won't go on a long voyage. With a boat, you want water under the keel, but with Hector we are happy to do without it.

But what about the Élysée Treaty?

Wasn't that the treaty that turned hereditary enemies into hereditary friends? In any case, our good old mayor of Cologne, Konrad Adenauer, made his contribution to this peace treaty. As a Cologne voter, you have to mention that. The Germans put a preamble in front of it. This also addresses Germany's ties to the USA and the efforts to admit Great Britain to the EEC. What do our British friends think of this today? - The fact is that the treaty gave us a period of peace as a legacy, which at least continues to this day. Certainly a good reason to think back to the new beginning.  

"You should never say 'too late'. Even in politics, it is never too late.

Et is always time for a new beginning." - Konrad Adenauer