How small is this world? Just prior to leaving Victoria we were introduced to a young lady from Salt Spring Island who was heading to adidas Group in Herzogenaurach, Germany to become an intern. I must report she is doing well, and seems to be enjoying touring Europe whenever she can. During my second week here, I received an email from an adidas employee while she was at a BBQ (Nicole and Tony) in Victoria. Turns out she is related to Tony via marriage or something to that effect? I have since been to a meeting last week where I met Zsuzzane who is in Operations here at adidas in Herzo.
Just to confuse all of you, there is a bit of a family connection with adidas. Jayne’s parents have been friends with Irmgard and Ray Sheile (spelling may be wrong, sorry?) for many years. Irm and Ena played tennis together for years. There is a group of lady’s that are still playing together in Barrie, and let’s just say that they are in their 80’s. This could be the secret as to why the group of ladies is still going strong! Irm’s husband Ray was responsible for bringing adidas to Canada back in the 50’s. He was from Herzogenaurach and as a young man in Edmonton playing soccer; he realized that they needed good shoes. Being a boy from Herzo, he contacted his friend Adi, and the relationship grew into what is now adidas Canada, and Ray was back in Herzo in the 70’s where he was CEO for adidas for a bit. Loving Canada, they choose Barrie to retire too with their daughter Monica in tow. Ray junior chose to stay in Herzo. Fast forward, and I have included a couple of pictures on Monica, Irm, and Jayne enjoying coffee (Irm is having a beerJ) here in Herzogenaurach. Erm and Monica are here visiting family and friends, and although they have no interest in adidas, they sure have a love for the company, the brand, and a healthy dislike for the competition. Irm would “not be caught dead wearing Puma”. It was a wonderful visit, and I am sure that no one ever thought that of all the places in the world, Jayne and Irm would catch up over lunch in Herzo!
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| Monica and Irm |
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| BEER (German Tea?) |
And for all of you who wonder if that is how I landed at adidas. This is not the case, but it sure makes it a little bit closer to home and weaves a bit more interest into the family history book!
The weather held out this past weekend, so we headed to the Bavarian Forest for a drive. The countryside is just spectacular and it seemed that with each and every bend in the road there was yet another postcard photo to be taken. The rolling hills with perfectly manicured farms and villages dotting the countryside was very unbelievable, but more so was the fact that we put 500kms on the car and the scenery remained near perfect every kilometer along the way. We did find that there is a very large artist community that specializes in blown glass. We toured the shops with tens of thousands of pieces. We hopefully made a “Wise” purchase, and will be coming home with our newly treasured “Eule”.
Now that is a green thumb. It is mid October!!!
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| Glass Fountain |
They do not allow photo's inside, so you will have to come and see for yourself!
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| Eule |
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| I think that man is hitting on my wife? |
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