Brocken

Our son invited us to a steam locomotive pulled and braked train ride up the Brocken. He works there once in a while, to help fund his study. So the trip was free for us. We even could sit part of the trip in the service waggon, with way more room for Caspar.
Three lines go through the forest the Harz. Where they meet we had to change to the train going farther up.
Due to the lovely weather it was extra full, in the trains, at the stations, and at the top of the Brocken. And there, on top, it was 10 degrees colder, with more wind. Nevertheless we were lucky and had almost a clear sight in all directions.
Downwards I was allowed to join the steam train driver and his stoker. A lovely experience and interestingly too. The driver even started to explain without me asking. Their dialect (saxonian) was a bit of a challenge, but to me they spoke German.
I stood up there till the next station. During that ride the loco hardly had to pull. Instead the brakes of the wagons did the work. The driver kept pushing and releasing them.
The heat of the ofen (in my extra you can see they cooked their meal in two cans) was not high. Actually my finger, white when we started, was still not completely okay when I got out.

Thanks, son, for this lovely day!