Arriving & Meet & Greet



Peter M snaps Terry parking Phil & Lynne.



Some of the 26 HCI Hymers settled in place.



Six of the plum tarts protected safely.



John T snapped the plum tarts being served by Elizabeth & Terry.



Sitting comfortably after the plum tart . .



. . and President Vic welcomes first time HCI rallyers Don & Hazel.



On the first evening
Peter M took this picture of the planned 'drink in the market square'.

HCI Xanten Rallyers posing for the press photo.



Peter M's picture of the HCI members assembling at 0900 on day one . .



. . and also snaps Martin surveying the gathered Rallyers.



Peter M. snapped Judy & Terry
chatting to the stellplatz managers Hermione & Gunter as the group assembles.



HCI looking good in front of the Xanten Stellplatz office . .



. . and in front of the Rally Officers' Hymers.



John T climbed high to make this lovely panorama of the Hymers on the Xanten stellplatz.

Town Tour & Evening Meal



Our excellent guide - 'JP' takes the red group around old Xanten.
The little boy whispers urgently
"Mummy we have to go before all those HCI people ask me what I am saying."



The visit to the cloisters was an unexpected and informative bonus.



'JP' tells the story of the Dom and the 'gangsters'.



Meanwhile - back at the market square
Peter M snapped the blue group assembled . .



. . unaware that 'JP' does a thorough job
and would be 15 minutes late bringing the reds back!



John T. also passed the time by snapping the waiting blue group!



The tour for the red group finished back in the market square.



John T's lovely shot of the blue group learning about JP's gangsters!



Peter M. shot the blue group at the Klever Tor.

In the 'Green room' and ready for the first Xanten evening meal . .



. . an outdoor grill buffet.



John T. snapped the members as they tucked in.

Rhine Ferry Inn & bike ride on the other side

It was a 'free' day -
but the RO's invited any takers to the Ferry Inn beside the Rhine.



Some preferred the terrace for lunch . .
. . with an excellent view of the bike ferry.



John T's picture of Edna & Arthur enjoying their puds with . .



. . Denise & Vic out on the terrace.



. . while others opted for indoors.





Then it was into the queue for the little bike ferry.



Passengers sat around the edge of the boat
with the bikes racked tightly along the centre.



John T. captured the cyclists getting ready for take-off . .



. . and away we go!



On the other side we pedaled gently along the quiet cycle path.



How about this for a sporty red BMW?
Matching red helmets and matching grins from ear to ear!

Bike Ride around the Lakes.



Ready for action!



Rolling down the cycle path to the lakes.



There was a real party atmosphere as we parked our bikes . .



. . and as we had lunch the dragon boats got ready for action.



John T. snapped one of our pauses to re-group . .



. . and away we go again.

Visit to the Xanten Roman Museum.



HCI members join the Roman army.
We reckon the recruit on the left is Barbara being helped into her gear by wounded Joan
and on the right is Derek ready for battle!



Did Fiona catch Pete dressing up to join the legion?



HCI at the museum.



In the elegant 'exterior' exhibition.

The Xanten Roman Archeological Park.

Archäologischer Park Xanten - or APX for short.



Assistant red leader Terry giving Jenny & Mike directions.
pic by Peter M.



While blue leader Elizabeth says "Blues go this way".
pic by Peter M.



Some of the blue group listening as JP talks the talk.
pic by Peter M.



The red group was going second on this outing
so they headed for the coffee shop.



At the appointed time the red group huddled
under the cover of the Xanten Roman town model . .



. . and JP started his fascinating talk.



With the Hafentempel in the background
JP explains that there are Roman remains only half-a-metre deep in this area.



Inside the Hafentempel.



At the excavation site.



JP gives John T cause for thought in the bath house.



Outside the amphitheatre . .



. . and inside where JP's guided tour finished.

The Kriemhild Windmill Experience.



Bikes parked, what are they looking at?



How do we all fit in there?



While one group had the guided tour with the miller
the others waited in the cafe across the street.



Finding shade and coffee . .



. . and chatting as always!



Meanwhile, up on the platform of the mill
Trevor finds out what happens when you turn this wheel!
Pic by Peter M.



Phil went up the windmill sail to unfurl the canvas . .
. . in his clogs - how Dutch can you get?



Dave was another of our intrepid sail-climbers - photo by Peter M.

 

Trevor & Graham also defied gravity - pics by John T.



The miller watches as the other Dave prepares to release the brake.

The relaxed miller tells us how the machinery works
Tony, Barbara and Elizabeth listen attentively.



Edna has a smile to light up a dusty windmill.



Our miller warns that things will happen soon . .



. . and, as the wind fills the sails, it really does go round!

HCI Xanten Rally final meal.



Everyone found their way to the Hotel Neumaier . .



. . and the buffet begins!



Peter M sent this pic of the diners patiently waiting their turn at the buffet.



Dave & Caroline get the Xanten book as first prize in the town quiz.



A bottle of Xanten wine should cheer the runners-up - Sylvia & Trevor.



The new Hymer for Hanneke & Jo caused much merriment.
They won the prize for the best answer to what the little boy was saying
"Please mummy can we take the beer to the English Hymer Party"



The Judy & Elizabeth duo sing the answers to the word quiz . .



. . and the winners were - Graham & Stella.



President Vic presents the Rally Officer badges.



Some of the Xanten jams - lined up ready for new owners.