Thanks to a great friend in Germany who posted a comment last night about another strike of train drivers in Germany, I found out from bahn.de this morning that the train I was going to get from Frankfurt Airport back to Hamburg tonight had been cancelled. When I checked I found out that there were no more rental cars available at the airport. So I had to book another flight going directly to Hamburg (which I hadn’t done to save money) and cut my stay in Ireland (and work) short by a few hours. Looking on the bright site, it’ll give me a few hours of sleep tonight before getting up at about 2am to get ready for the drive to Diepholz.
Not to worry if you haven’t heard of Diepholz. Neither had I. In fact, I’m a tiny bit nervous about going to the ‘right’ Diepholz. Google Maps tells me that there is only one, but I find that hard to believe. We’ll just have to chance it.
The Diepholz we’ll be driving to is about 2 hours south of Hamburg (most places in Germany are South of Hamburg, except, maybe, Tating) and we’re going there because it’s from Diepholz Hauptbahnhof that our special train will depart at 5:53 tomorrow morning, and we were advised to be there about an hour before that, i.e. at 4:53 – approximately.
We’ll be arriving in Lourdes on Friday morning at 10:22 – I am still at awe at the ability of the train companies to calculate these times to the minute. Unless, of course, the driver of that train from Diepholz has decided to go on strike in the meantime too – to be honest, I hadn’t thought about that possibility until right now…
For years, we walked parts of the camino around Easter, a few days at a time. Instead of a long walk, we’ll be going on a long train journey to a place I remember as being very special. For Pádraig and for us, this will be the first long, not-hospital-related journey for almost two years. We’ll be back in Hamburg the night before his birthday, which we will celebrate in style and, again for the first time in almost two years, outside of a hospital.
Think about this – it sounds like we’re about to join life again. Not fire-fighting, not worrying constantly.
Hospi-Tales 
Mary’ll watch over ye. I have faith in her: she’s one of us & she intercedes for us. She’s a Portal, just like Pádraig. You’ll be alright. Just ask her, every time, for the help you’ll need along the way. “Oh, Mary, help me here!” A leithéid. She’s with ye. She’ll never abandon Padraig..: He’s too special. Great Spirit. Joins us All. Máire libh.
S
Hello Reinhard,
Wishing you all the very best of luck for the trip to Lourdes. Hope the train is still running and you have a great time.
Shirley
Hi Reinhard,
There is was driving along the road listening to the radio (“Talk to Joe”) and i hear a voice that sounds a bit familiar so I listen a bit more and start to hear a story about Padraig and then Joe mentions Reinhard and I think “I only know one Reinhard!” and then your voice! of course it must be you but now I’m waiting to hear if Joe mentions your full name. While I wait I hear more about Padriag and the terrible accident in Cap Cod. Hit by a truck while on a bike. Every bikers worst nightmare.
As a cyclist myself I immediately felt shock and horror inside. I have developed strong views on how badly cyclists are treated on the roads, between fast moving traffic and potholes, what chance have we! Then I was thinking who is Padraig and Reinhard and why are they on the Joe Duffy show so on I listen. It starts to dawn on me that maybe this Reinhard is Padraig’s father, but the Padraig I knew was way to young to have a son in his early 20’s. maybe they are brothers or friends.
Then Joe says “Reinhard Schaler!”. My God its you Reinhard!!
Its been so long since Lotus – 25 years! I have two sons and a duaghter in their 30’s
so time has flown past so fast. Every time I hear the word “localisation” I think of you
but now that I’ve heard you speak on Padraig’s terrible ordeal, I’ll be thinking of you and Padraig. Best of luck in Lourdes.
Best regards to you and Padraig,
Manus
Hi Reinhard,
There is was driving along the road listening to the radio (“Talk to Joe”) and i hear a voice that sounds a bit familiar so I listen a bit more and start to hear a story about Padraig and then Joe mentions Reinhard and I think “I only know one Reinhard!” and then your voice! of course it must be you but now I’m waiting to hear if Joe mentions your full name. While I wait I hear more about Padriag and the terrible accident in Cap Cod. Hit by a truck while on a bike. Every bikers worst nightmare.
As a cyclist myself I immediately felt shock and horror inside. I have developed strong views on how badly cyclists are treated on the roads, between fast moving traffic and potholes, what chance have we! Then I was thinking who is Padraig and Reinhard and why are they on the Joe Duffy show so on I listen. It starts to dawn on me that maybe this Reinhard is Padraig’s father, but the Padraig I knew was way to young to have a son in his early 20’s. maybe they are brothers or friends.
Then Joe says “Reinhard Schaler!”. My God its you Reinhard!!
Its been so long since Lotus – 25 years! I have two sons and a duaghter in their 30’s
so time has flown past so fast. Every time I hear the word “localisation” I think of you
but now that I’ve heard you speak on Padraig’s terrible ordeal, I’ll be thinking of you and Padraig. Best of luck in Lourdes.
Best regards to you and Padraig,
Manus
Dear Reinhard,
By sheer chance, as I was driving from A to B for work, I heard your interview with Joe Duffy in full. And colleagues drew attention to the articles in thejournal.ie and the Irish Independent. I wish you all the very best on the journeys to and from Lourdes and, of course, in Lourdes iteslf. Louise.
What a heart warming interview with Joe Duffy today! So glad to hear the trip is going well. Great too, to hear him talk about all the supporters and friends, he knows that you all and Padraig have.
Super Pat Padraig and Reinhard you are on your way to Lourdes.A lady in Dublin called me today all excited,.she says she prays daily for you and recognises prayers being answered.she will continue she says.My prayer is one of thanks tonight May you continue in Faith , all your dreams with hope and surrounded by love..words of a hymn I have often sang in Lourdes.’Guide us on our journey, Show to us the way, Be our hope and refuge, our comfort when we stray.Guide us in your wisdom, and your blessings share, as we come rejoicing, Ave Maria, Ave’