Elma and Wolfgang and Schachtschleuse Minden

We had already visited Mum's cousin Frank in Berlin. Now we were invited over to Frank's parents, Mum's aunt Elma and uncle Wolfgang in Minden. They are the only people we know in Germany with a pool, and an indoor pool that is! When Mum grew up, she always spent all her time of family get togethers in the pool. Now it's Jonas' and my turn! The adults sit upstairs and talk while we are enjoying the pool!

After lunch, great-aunt Elma and great-uncle Wolfgang invite us on a cruise around the local waterways. In their town, Minden, the great river Weser crosses the busiest European channel, the Mittelland Canal or Midland Canal.

These two waterways intersect with 13 metres of difference in level! The Weser is low as it has already reached the Northern German lowlands whilst the Midland Canal has been built on a very sturdy bridge.

When ships want to sail from one waterway to the other, they have to go through a waterlock. I mentioned Europe's only 4-way water lock in Emden, during our bicycle trip. Now in Minden, we visit Europe's first intersection of two waterways that is managed by a waterlock that can lift or lower ships by 13 metres! In order to save on water, they have built it in a way that only one third of the water gets wasted whilst the other two thirds are stored and then re-used in the next lifting action.

Fun in the pool I.

Fun in the pool II.

On the cruise. 

It is hard to see, but we are in the canal bridge, and the river Weser is crossing below us.

One of many river transport barges bringing things to Berlin via the Midland Canal.

A bit of fun.

Opa Siegfried, I and Jonas in front of the water lock building.

The water dropping starts here: We're still up.

Dropping and dropping - about halfway down now.

All the way down. The gate is starting to lift to let us sail out.

Oma Elke likes the warmth of the indoor Cafe.

Great Aunt Elma.

Great Uncle Wolfgang.

Now on the way back up again, facing the opposite way and watching that water levels rise.

clockwise: Opa Siegfried, great aunt Elma, great uncle Wolfgang, Mum, Oma Elke, Jonas and I.