Helmstedt-Marienborn Border Crossing

After dropping Chris and the girls off at Berlin Airport, it was time for me (Annie) to start to make my long way home by car. This seemingly odd travel arrangement means we maximise quality time with the girls during the week's holiday, then I get a little extra break and exciting road trip tacked onto each end.

It was scheduled to be a long drive today - from Berlin, right across the width of Germany into the Netherlands. I had dreaded that it would be rainy during the drive - much harder to trek through - but thankfully once again the sun held out. Due to the wonders of the unlimited speed on the German Autobahns, the distance fell away more easily.

Just the one main stop for me today, continuing our theme of "Wall" from Berlin and my outgoing trip. This was the Helmstedt-Marienborn border crossing, a key border checkpoint on the Inner German Border where it crosses the A2. As this road was the shortest and fastest route through from West Germany to West Berlin, this checkpoint was pivotal. This was one of three main checkpoints used by the Allies, nicknamed Checkpoint Alpha; it has a famous counterpart in Berlin, the third of the three Checkpoints, called Checkpoint Charlie.

Today it houses a memorial to the division of Germany and is fascinating. Many of the buildings are still there, older and tattier perhaps, but generally looking like the border guards had just stepped away for a minute. Interesting and chilling too. The checkpoint sits somewhat oddly next to a normal service station (which would itself be in no man's land) and is free to meander around. Well worth a longer visit than I really had time to spare.