That train ticket

That ticket I've been keeping secret was used today. If you read the blogs from Christina or Ginnie then you know I was able to use that train ticket to go to Hannover to meet them both!

And if you don't read their blogs, then you're missing out on good stuff.

You know it has to be something big to get me up at 6:30am. I acknowledge only one 6:30 per day and that's not the one. Still after a night of little sleep I was up and on the train heading west. No camera in hand but still armed with a lot of excitement to meet two ladies I admire a great deal.

Ginnie was right there on the train platform to meet me. Not just waiting on the platform but her incredible intuition had her standing right there at the proper place so that when I stepped off the train she was right in front of me. And from that first hug the chatting started and it never let up again.

Let me pause here and say that if you're ever at the Hannover Hauptbahnhof and need to use the rest room, be sure to have 1,10€. Not quite as bad as Harrods' "pound a pee" but close.

A trip by bus took us to Christina's town and there she was faithfully there to meet us at the bus stop and to deliver more hugs. Now there were three voices to this never ending stream of chatter and it only got more enjoyable from there.

We walked the long route back to Christina's home, pausing from time to time to admire the gardens of her neighbors and to look at the other sights in her town. It's much hillier than were I live so it was nice to have such a good walk after being hemmed up in a train and then a bus for two hours.

All of us had treats to share with one another and the photos and conversation and the building of Kinder Egg toys only added to the enjoyment. We ended up giving all the toys to Ginnie because Christina and I can feed out need for Kinder Eggs any time we please.

Our gracious hostess treated us to a terrific lunch and those familiar with Christina's blog know that she enjoys cooking and likes to show photos of the various dishes she creates. I can now personally say that what she cooks tastes as good as it looks.

The rest of the time was spent in conversation that didn't let up for a moment. It was so easy to talk to both Ginnie and Christina and it felt as if I did it every day. Christina has a lovely, comfortable home and she made us feel so welcome.

And her two boys are terrific. Handsome, friendly, nice fellas. A wonderful reflection of their mum.

More conversation, more laughter, more getting to know each other better and then it was time to head back to the bus stop for the ride back to the train station. It was unbelievable how fast the afternoon passed.

Hugs were given with promises to meet up again soon. On the ride back to the train station Ginnie and I never let up on the conversation and then too soon it was time for me to board the train for home.

I don't often get the chance to get away from home. My primary responsibility and what I love best it taking care of B so it's hard for me to have a day off. When I do, I like to make sure it's something really special and this day lived up to my expectations. Christina and Ginnie were so gracious and generous and absolutely fun to be around. The kindness and positive outlook they project in their blogs is no facade - they're the real deal and I feel very lucky to have spent such a happy day with them.

Too bad my camera had to miss out on it.