It was a perfect day to start an adventure. A cold but sunny February day. Lily Krause jumped out of the dark blue Golf, stuck her nose into the cold winter air, took a deep breath and streched her arms and legs. "It's a beautiful day, don't let it get away", she sang loud and not quite in tune.

Georg Mueller shook his head. "Who sings in the morning will be caught by the cats at night", he lectured like the professor he was, while he slowly moved out of the car. Kurt, their neighbour opened the rear of the car. Lily got her rucksack out, with dirt from various journeys on it, and Georg a blue suitcase with rolls on it. "You want me to bring you to the platform", Kurt asked. "No, no, you've done enough by bringing us here", Lily said, embraced Kurt, gave him a kiss and smiled at his surprised face. Kurt was a little conservative. Like Georg. But in a different way.

Georg murmered something like: "Wish I could take the bike". Lily shook her head. "Can't go to Ireland by bike. It takes too long, sweet Georgie", she heaved her rucksack on her back, took his free hand and walked towards the station, waving a last good-bye to Kurt. The warm red poncho and the wide black skirt fluttered joyfully around her rather small figure as they passed the restaurant and the information counter at Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe.

"Lily, I'm 70 years old. Please don't run", Georg protested. "So what, I'm 50 and you are in a very good shape, old man." Georg hated it to be called "old man". He sulked as they walked down the ramp to the platform. Lily sang something that sounded like "Don't it make you smile." The train wasn't there yet and they stopped at the departure - information. "I wonder if we meet Heiner . I told him we would wait for him here", Lily said. Georg nodded. He didn't feel like waiting, too cold for that.

As soon as the train arrived, he took his suitcase. "I'm not going to wait any longer." Lily sighed. You never knew about Heiner anyway, so she followed Georg and they took their seats. After a while they heard the whistle and the train left the station. Ireland, I'm coming, Lily thought and got out her portable CD player.