Across the Röhn
"You don't disappoint friends" said 11 Merlins, who travelled to the 21st Merlin meeting over the weekend at the Jagdhof Klein Heilig Kreuz in Großenlüder near Fulda despite the severe weather warnings.
Even the journey there was very wet in places. However, this did not dampen the mood and we were able to welcome both familiar and new Merlin drivers to the meeting.
The trip was dedicated to the "Lymph node cancer in children and adolescents" research centre at the University of Giessen.
The tour started at 10 a.m. on Friday, which was also suitable for "late risers". The tour began with a vehicle presentation at Fulda Cathedral. A donation was made to the head of the Gießen/Marburg paediatric oncology research centre. At the same time, the vicar general blessed the trip and our Merlins. (Rumour has it that there were participants who wanted to wipe away the droplets immediately)
We then travelled across the Rhön to Lake Guckaisee, where we also stopped for lunch. After lunch, we drove on through the Rhön, over the Wasserkuppe to Schloss Fasanerie near Eichenzell, a baroque castle well worth seeing. We were even allowed to drive onto the castle grounds! Strengthened by coffee and cake, we continued along a beautiful route towards the hotel.
We didn't set off until 10am on Saturday. The journey took us directly (yes, no coffee break!) to the Point Alpha memorial. This is a former US Army observation post on the border with the former GDR. The border fortifications are all still there and absolutely worth seeing. It is unimaginable that the border guards on both sides of the border watched each other for years. A little thoughtful, we drove on through the very green Rhön. Of course, coffee and cake were a must in the afternoon. The Rhöner Hofcafé served home-made cakes and homemade lemonade. The route then continued through the Rhön back to the hotel.
Despite the rainy weather, it was an eventful and entertaining tour. The roads were perfect and the stops interesting.
We would like to thank Volker and Cornelia for the wonderful tour











