Dortmund to Amiens (Thursday 3 November)

I’m leaving Germany for France today. I want to go to Amiens and I can do that from Dortmund entirely by electric train, all in the one ticket. The trip requires a few train changes but that is no problem. I farewell Andreas at the train station. I can’t thank him enough for taking me on an authentic tour of his part of Germany, both good and bad. From the magnificant churches of Colonue to the dark history of Nazi persecution at Bergen-Bensen, the experiences are unforgettable. And then there was the great food. I hope I can return the favour one day – minus the concentration camps if course!

The transition from the efficiency of Germany to the flair of France was seamless. I didn’t know I had crossed into France until the conductor started speaking French. At last a foreign language i can manage. I studied the language at high school for two years. In my mind I speak French fluently. What comes out of my mouth is mostly English with a strong French accent and the locals are fairly bemused!