Review and outlook
2021 - a year that is deeply engraved in our hearts.
On July 15, the Ahr Valley was hit by a flood the likes of which no one would ever have thought possible. Everything changed in a single night: the water came with incomprehensible force, swept away houses, bridges and roads - and left behind a landscape that was barely recognizable. Even our Landgasthof Weihs in Kreuzberg was not spared. Cellar, kitchen, dining rooms, guest rooms - everything was under water, much of what had grown over generations seemed lost.
And in the midst of the chaos, there was something stronger than any wave: the people.
Friends, neighbors, strangers who suddenly became helpers. Shoveling mud, warm soups, open arms. This togetherness sustained us when nothing else could. Something new emerged from this time of destruction: our „Flood Stollen“ - baked as a sign of hope, reconstruction and gratitude. Every stollen that was created in our small emergency bakery was more than just a pastry. It was a piece of courage, a symbol of a new beginning - and for all those who supported us with their orders, donations and kind words. The following months were characterized by dust, rubble and work - but also by small miracles: dry walls, new windows, the first hot water flowing through the pipes again. Step by step, life returned. And today, when the smell of butter, spices and almonds wafts through our bakery again, we know: It was worth never giving up.
What is particularly nice is that the Ahr valley itself is now breathing a sigh of relief. The railroad line will soon be running again - after years of hard work on bridges and tracks. The train will once again stop right by our country inn, bicycles will be allowed back on board - a piece of normality is returning home. Looking back on 2021 is not easy, but it fills us with humility and gratitude. Because pain became cohesion, stagnation became movement - and a simple tunnel became a symbol of hope.
