Ach SO! This is the Roland Centre - a mini Oxford Street on two floors and all under one roof. In they went - to the supermarket where vast quantities of herring, frankfurters, würste, and beer were bought. Meanwhile the others were exploring the rest of the shop and stumbled upon the section selling cream cakes and chocolates) these were bought in vast quantities and conveyed to der wagon, where they were rapidly consumed.

Our heroes followed Siegmar out of Bremen into the flat countryside, passing many tanks going the other way. Obviously they had heard that the Earls were coming and were clearing the area. Then they arrived at the farm to be greeted by several large dogs, who showed their instant dislike for Toddy by surrounding him and growling menacingly. (What have German dogs got against him?). John however took an instant liking to an Old English sheepdog, straight off the front of a tin of Dulux. "Hello, old feller." he said, reaching to stroke its head. "Grrrrrrhrrrrrh" said the dog.

"Come on then", he said, leading the way into the back garden, planting a ladder against the nearest plum tree, and picking the fresh plums. After a while he got fed up with all the picking and dropping the plums down, so he picked off a branch instead.

Having demolished the plums our heroes set off in search of the beer, found it, and settled down around the fire, while Len wound up his melodeon. The meal started with barbecued fish, then on to frankfurters and bratwurst dipped in spicy sauce - and then the drinking started in earnest.

Siegmar very trustingly allowed our heroes the run of the house, which, at the time, was being decorated - "Sorry about the mess" - while he and his missus, aided by some friends, prepared the grub. As an appetizer he offered some plums, "Yes please" everyone chorused, looking for the bowl.