Clare Teal: How we found the recipe for an entertaining night out

From Jena in East Germany we drove 250km to Kassel, crossing through an old border checkpoint, which was a little eerie, the high fences and loudhailers stood gently rusting in the lush green countryside. Our driver Holga (a driving instructor – hurrah) was also a boffin, needless to say my knowledge of Germany history, geography and sociology has now increased at least 2,000 per cent – not hard.

We arrived in Kassel and decided en masse to have a potter into town, finding the most fabulous Italian Deli. They didn't speak English and we didn't speak German or Italian. A lot of pointing and waving later, we were tucking into the best lasagne ever and the coffee! Mwah!

Kulturezeit, the venue, was a purpose-designed marquee built to a stunningly high standard. My dressing room was a wonderful gipsy caravan with wifi! The concert was a blast. Afterwards, Mud and I met a man called Frank from Marsden who runs a very successful dry stone walling business: "They can't get enough of my walls over here!"

Dinner was waiting for us back at the hotel. The minestrone soup boasted the taste and consistency of Bolognese pan washing-up water. Each of the three main courses was accompanied by a gaily coloured sauce and, be it chicken, fish or veggie, they all tasted of the same thing – nothing. After Grant said Benny's salmon resembled a hairless Sphynx cat, for some reason he lost his appetite. When the waitress came to clear his untouched plate, he was heard to mutter: "Sorry, I think I'm still a little full from the soup."

Crying with laughter, we entered the bar only to be told by the bartender that he had tummy ache and was closing early (must have been the salmon). He said we could each have one drink and sit in the function room. Luckily the boys had had the wherewithal to bring most of the beer back from the venue, and we were set for the night. It must be noted that Australians can become extremely competitive and somewhat abusive when playing pool, although the victory dance was very entertaining. Next morning everyone was rather quiet on the bus.

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