Sunday 4th July: 12 members of the Mt Gambier FF flew off to Munich where we boarded our charter bus to begin our short tour to Hannover for our first journey. After a rainy day which didn't dampen spirits as we went sightseeing to Konigssee we spent our first night in Munich. The next day was a beautiful sunny day as we went up the Romantic Road to Rothenburg where most of the group went on The Night Watchman's Tour' and others watched Germany lose the Soccer World Cup final amongst boisterous German fans. The next day we drove across to Trier and from there via Brussels to Amsterdam for a final night before our journey began.

On arrival in Hannover we were given a champagne welcome and went off to our hosts homes for the evening. The first full day with the Hannover club was a Sunday and planned as a free day for hosts to entertain us. Many of us were taken to a Mediaeval Festival which was wonderful.

Monday 5th July: we had a day trip by train to Wernigerode in the Harz Mountains. This was a fun day with a horse drawn wagon ride out of the town. Many stops were made for us all to take part in activities such as three person skiing! Stephanie won the most points and was declared champion.

Tuesday 6th July: morning saw us tour the Hannover airport and of course it was very interesting to get 'behind the scenes' for a change. In the afternoon we had a walking tour of Hannover city which was exhausting in the extreme heat. We all enjoyed the liquid refreshments at the end of the walk!

Wednesday 7th July: was a free day with hosts and many members were taken to Bremen or Hamlin and that night indulged in non-hosted dinners with other members of the Hannover club.

Thursday 8th July: We all went to Celle for a walking tour of that town in the morning and spent a free afternoon with our hosts – some going to the Royal Gardens.

Friday 9th July: was free for packing, washing, last minute shopping or preparing for the farewell dinner. During the dinner, the Hannover club was thanked and assured that they will be made very welcome next year when they visit us in Mount Gambier.

Saturday 10th July: morning we were all up extremely early for a flight to Bucharest via Munich. When we had all gathered together at the airport, Bill was given a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday!!

Our chartered bus collected us on arrival in Bucharest and transported us to the Brasov FF meeting point where we were fed a wonderful spread of Romanian food and met our hosts for the week.

Sunday 11th July: morning we had a bus tour of Brasov city and witnessed the changing of the guards and listened to a brass band before spending the afternoon with our hosts.

Monday 12th July: we toured to Rasnov and then in Poicena Marului village, we met the Mayor who entertained with a very humorous speech. During the afternoon we visited Simbata monastery for lunch and viewed the chapels. Later we wound our way up the switchback mountain roads to Balea Lake – and back down!

Tuesday 13th July: saw us head off to Castle Bran only to find that Dracula was no longer in residence. Then we set off for our barbeque which was in a very secluded and beautiful area of forest near where the movie Cold Mountain was filmed. The meal was followed by much dancing and singing!

Church – organ and violin. Beautiful. In the afternoon we had another trip into a forest for our meal. For the final leg of this journey we all had to transfer to 4WD vehicles because of the terrain. Another wonderful meal followed again by much singing!

Thursday 15th July: morning we took the funicular up to the mountain top overlooking the city of Brasov. The afternoon was free and during the evening the ambassadors took their hosts out and we all ate at the Belvedere Hotel. Great setting high on a hill overlooking Brasov from another angle.

Friday 16th July: was our final journey day and was a free day until we all attended traditional Romanian and Hungarian folk dancers before going to the Fortress Restaurant for our farewell dinner. On arrival at the fortress we were greeted with a trumpet fanfare and then we had to use the heavy circle knocker to gain admittance but this could only be achieved by shouting the password. The food and entertainment was fantastic and each host and ambassador spoke of their fond memories of experiences during the week. Brasov club was given a very hearty cheer for their hospitality and cordially invited to our club.

So with many sad faces we departed Brasov next day and boarded our charter bus which took us on our tour back across Europe. First stop was Tulcea on the Danbue Delta. The two nights in this tranquil spot was very good for the soul! We had a full day cruising the Delta and relaxing on board in the sun.

Our next stop was Bucharest where we had our eyes opened to the huge Parliament Palace and other magnificent buildings. From Bucharest we travelled on to Cluj-Napoca with a brief stop in Sibiu on the way. Sibiu is a beautiful town (and has a FF club!!). Next day we left Romania and enjoyed our days in Budapest – another beautiful city – particularly beautiful at night as seen from the river during the cruise. After Budapest we enjoyed a short stop in Szentendre a quaint village with many quality craft stalls.

Leaving Prague we motored on to Berlin and viewed Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburg Gate and the Memorial for Holocaust victims. Berlin to Nuremburg was travelled in rain.

Next day the weather cleared up for our return to Munich. We had a farewell dinner that night as the next day most were attending the Passion Play in Oberammergau and would return to Munich late at night and then depart early the following day.