CHAPTER 16

Dahlhausen interlude

Leaving the industrial part of Wuppertal behind, the train wound its way along the river Wupper in the direction of Radevormwald. After the densely populated area of the Ruhr valley and Wuppertal itself, the river had become a steady flowing stream, overshadowed by leafy trees, giving me the impression of a dense forest. Only the number of stops along the way reminded me that I was still in an industrial area. Each station bore the name of a mill, either spinning, weaving or dye mill. I was in the heart of a textile industry, which no doubt had sprung up because of the clear waters of the river Wupper. It was due to the foresight and planning of the local industrialists, who had left a wide strip of forest along the river, to keep its waters clear and unpolluted.

Dahlhausen emerged out of the trees. I left the train and walked the short way to the stately building of Onkel Rudolf Hardt and Tante Marie, right past the mill of Hardt, Pocorny & Co. I was greeted warmly by my great-uncle, with his lovely Rhineland accent: "Welcome to Dahlhausen. I hope you will be happy with us here. I've organised a room for you in the house just at the entrance to the garden on your right. You must have walked past it, as you came in. Onkel Wilhelm Forstmann, (Mutter's first cousin, who had owned a property called Porthof, situated next to Strykowo in Poland), and Tante Margaret, (Onkel Rudolf Hardt's daughter), live with us here in this house. They have separate quarters though, and their entrance is just around our house from the back. You should be able to get on with your cousins, although they are much younger than you. Klaus is just 17, Erhard 14 and Ulrich nine.

"Now to some practical matters. You can get your meals like lunch and dinner at the canteen of the firm during working days. Weekends you might be invited by the Forstmanns or by us. In any case, we won't let you starve."

"You are very kind, Onkel Rudolf." "That's the least we can do for a Tieman. You know that your grandfather and I were cousins?"

"Yes." "Well, and now you are here with us, all among the family. Will you be able to look after yourself for breakfast?"

"Of course, I have always done that. That's no problem."

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