In October 2002, SCWB made the long awaited return visit to Germany to see our friends Harmoniemusik Welden. The visit was timed to coincide with the six hundredth anniversary of Welden's annual market, which takes place in August. This anniversary was celebrated with a festival in the village, and the joint Harmoniemusik Welden / SCWB concert was a part of the festivities

After a long but enjoyable day, we were welcomed by Harmoniemusik who stood outside in the cold and played music for us.

We were welcomed into their concert hall and shown the most fantastic hospitality that we could have wished for. After much traditional Bavarian food, drink and music we departed to our accommodation - some of the band staying with host families and others in the local hotel.

The next day we visited Munich, and had a couch tour of the city followed by a walking tour. We split into two groups, one guided by Markus Schoenheits (Harmoniemusik's conductor) and the other by a lady called Bettine. Thank you both for showing so many interesting places. It is a beautiful city. Lunch followed this - with a round of drinks on Harmoniemusik. Prost!! In the afternoon we split up and did our own thing. Some of us saw more of the sights, and others visited various beer halls(!). The two bands rehearsed in the evening.

On the Saturday, we had a tour of Augsburg, courtesy once again of Markus. Thank you again, Markus, it is a beautiful city and we envy you living there. We then went down to the Alps. Returning to Welden, it was time for the concert, which was fantastic. SCWB played the first half, Harmoniemusik the second. After the concert, there where many 'thank yous' and a party which went on until the small hours, with more traditional food and beer and some not-so-traditional music and dancing!

On Sunday morning, some very tired people turned up to catch the coach back to Friedrichshafen. It was an emotional farewell, and we hope to see you again soon.

Thank you all so much for your hard work and hospitality - you could not have done more for us and you made the trip perfect for us.

May I say a personal 'tausend, tausend Danke' to Karl-Heinze Tomaschewski and his family for the incredible kindness and hospitality that they showed to my wife and me. Karl-Heinz, Lucia, Markus und Kristina, ihr seid sehr gastfreundlich. Vielen danke. Karl-Heinz is the Chairman of Harmoniemusik, and we saw some of the amazing amount of thought and effort that he put into making our visit the success that it was. I am sure that members of SCWB who stayed with members of Harmoniemusik would wish to say the same to their hosts.

I have not said very much about the places that we saw, as I hope that these pictures will tell the story better than I could.

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