Review: Saab season finale with a trip to the Hanseatic city of Wismar
The meeting point was initially inconspicuous, but that changed within a very short time: the parking lot of a bakery near the motorway became the runway for our companions, who, together with the drivers and passengers of the SAAB regulars in Schleswig-Holstein, went on October 15th for the last exit of the year and this year's Saab season finale together.
We started in the hazy surroundings of Hamburg at the Back Drive-in Braak mill (yes, this baker up north has a drive-thru). Gradually, the various Saab model series rolled onto the Braaker Mühle yard: from the Saab 99 Turbo to the classic Saab 901, 901 Cabrios and Saab 9-3 Aero OG, 9-3 OG Cabrio and 9-3 sports suit as well as Saab 9000 and Saab 9-5 NG represented almost every model series of a Saab decade.
After a first refreshment in the Braaker Mühle, the first stage started comfortably on country roads and the picturesque Holstein-Mecklenburg landscape. Twelve vehicles in a convoy, past autumn colored trees, through villages and over the hilly landscape of the north.
Yes, the north isn't just flat and flat! Many a cyclist from the south has made a bad mistake here, we can also do hills ☺
We made our first stop at the border village of Schlagsdorf east of Lake Ratzeburg, where we could review German history around the FRG and the GDR.
Some of us visited the museum and some of the outdoor facilities, where parts of the border fortifications, including the watchtower and various ancillary facilities, could be viewed.
Impressively. Today, 33 years after the opening of the border, it is practically impossible to imagine what it once looked like between the Baltic Sea and the Fichtelgebirge: two German states, opposing systems and a rigorous border regime that tried to prevent all exchanges. Glad those times are behind us.
What was, that was. We don't know what will happen.
But what we did know: Our next destination is further east. The further we got towards the Baltic Sea, the more sunshine came out and so the convertible roofs could be opened and the great autumn day could be enjoyed in all its facets.
Of course she was also on board in an 9-3 sports suit Saab rug, which we fortunately didn't need any more on this sunny day and could embellish the rear seat bench.
With lots of sunshine we went along beautiful old avenues to the next stop - the Hofcafé des Steinbecker farm shop near the Baltic Sea resort of Boltenhagen. Idyllic, quiet, inviting.
Here the courtyard café invited to coffee and cake (Plum cake with whipped cream!), and in the farm shop you could buy a variety of food from our own production and from the region.
Sausage, ham, honey, happy the one who had brought a cool box!
Well strengthened, we then went to the last stage and the actual destination: the Hanseatic city of Wismar. The team had organized a city tour that had a few surprises in store for us. Because you could even spot one or the other Saab on the side of the road.
Very committed city guides explained details to us that you would not have found out on a visit to the city "just like that": for example, the cobblestones come from Sweden, because Wismar was owned by the Swedish kings until 1903.
The first Karstadt was founded in Wismar, and by now we all probably have Soko Wismar ( ZDF) since we now know how important this show has become for Wismar.
The old town with its great gables was also visited, a lot was said about trade and the Hanseatic League and we also visited the Georgenkirche, which is now used in certain areas for events and exhibitions due to the destruction in the war and after the rescue after 1990.
Wismar is worth it!
That was the unanimous opinion of the whole squad.
After a good helping of history and interesting facts about the city of Wismar, it was time to end the day in the restaurant reuter house, where there were culinary delights from the Mecklenburg region.
What was particularly nice on this day was that three readers of the SAAB blog also got to know each other, two of whom only became aware of our regulars’ table via the Saab blog and now had the opportunity to get to know each other personally.
All in all, it was another sunny and very nice Saab day in the north and a nice end to the season! – preparations are already underway for our next activities in 2023.
See you!
Thanks for the positive feedback!
But I would like to emphasize that the contribution is a joint effort by Meike Christophel from the local SAAB regulars' table and I, flanked by recordings that the participants have made available. The sense of community lives on here too 🙂
Great report & great pictures! Wismar seems to be very beautiful. Maybe I'll join you on one of the upcoming trips.
Sounds fantastic
And it looks like it too (great pics). You no longer have to be a prophet to predict a clear double-digit percentage growth rate in participants for the end of the 2023 season. Not only because 2 other vehicles already meet the criterion, but because the community is getting closer and closer. That's (among other things) the fascinating thing about Saab. There are growth rates here and there without any new cars. Fantastic!
Many thanks to the author and the organizers..
That's what's really special about our Saab meetings, whether in the north (for me as an Austrian, that's pretty far up) or south, in the west or east, through Saab you get to meet such different interesting people, often very unknown, but very interesting places that would not have been considered without Saab.
If I should ever be in the area, I will definitely visit the former border
A really great report that reflects the mood we experienced as Saabisti on the well-planned tour. We look forward to the next meetings and trips! Thanks!
Thank you for this atmospheric report! The wonderful photos of the beautiful landscape, the beautiful city of Wismar and - not to forget - the wonderful Saabs really make you want to come along. I very much hope to be able to be there next time and then finally get to know some Saabblog readers personally!