I was invited by Toby(Emailio) to stay at his apartment in Augsburg, so I took him up on his generous offer. After a fine lunch and two very large and very tasty beers, I went back to the train station in Munich to wait for my train to Augsburg. As I walked to the station, I realized the beer wanted out. So I searched until I found the signs that said “WC”. I followed them downstairs, and found a strange place called “McClean”. I had stumbled upon a pay toilet. So, confused as I was, I paid Euro 1.10 to use the bathroom, and caught myself taking a picture of the most expensive bathroom break I ever took. (Sorry, no nudity )



After meeting Toby at the Augsburg Hauptbahnhof, we arrived at his apartment where I also met up again with his girlfriend Elena, and sister Karin, who were also at PDAY2. We had a nice Italian dinner, and afterwards some wine and something special, Centerba. Never had it before. Toby decided to light it on fire, and being 70% alcohol, it lit.



I woke up during the night and looked out the window because I heard a noise. I looked out the window and I saw this:



Frightened and confused, I went back to sleep. Damn that Centerba!

It just so happened that while I was in town, there was a Panerai event that Toby was invited to at Uhren Huber in Munich, a watch store I wanted to see once in my life. He called ahead and asked if I might be able to tag along, and they said yes, so Toby, Karin, and I left Augsburg for Munich, about a 30 minute drive. Wouldn’t you know it, Mr. Roessner was there to host the event. So again, we met and I got a few more pictures of what else? Panerai. (I apologize if the images are blurry, lighting was not the best.)



A nifty display of an old diving helmet was the centerpiece, with two vintage watches from the collection of Mr. Konrad Knirim. These watches were also at PDAY2.



Here are the displays for the 2003 collection from Panerai:









Here, Karin tries on a 40mm PAM, this is the precise moment addiction begins.



After the event at Huber, we went to the Schneider Brauhaus, where I was introduced to my new favorite german beer, Schneider Weisse. MMMMMMMM! And since Cuban cigars are verboten here in the states, I had to indulge after a tasty dinner, and even tastier beer. Toby took us to Pfeifen Huber,(yes, another Huber), and he recommended a Partagas Robusto. I must say, very nice. A very satisfying evening, and many more memories for me to remember. Thank you again for a great time mates, many many thanks!



I left Augsburg the next morning to get to Frankfurt Airport by ICE train, and 3 hours later I was there. Spent a little time wandering the airport, and then caught my flight to London, farewell for now Germany.
Toured London with my girlfriend Rachel, and we saw quite a bit. We passed by an art museum that was hosting a Salvador Dali exhibit, and I couldn’t resist a pic of the melting clock in bronze outside.



Saw Big Ben, Parliament, and other famous landmarks. Did a little shopping as well, and when we went to Selfridges, we saw a nice Panerai display in their watch department.





As luck would have it (very lucky), The Godfather himself, Mr. Guy Verbist, was in London the exact same dates that I was. Also up for the meeting was Simon (Rapers), and Guy’s friend(forgot her name,sorry). We decided to meet at the Bierodrome, a Belgian beer pub. We met up, and found out the Bierodrome was closed. So we went to a different pub, which had their own beer and I don’t remember the name. So, yet another Paneristi gathering was afoot. Pictured: Rachel, me, Simon, Guy. (left to right)





The pannies were so happy to be with each other that they were glowing!



Again, all too quickly it was time to say goodbye. Simon drove Rachel and I to King’s Cross,(thank you so much again) so Rachel could catch her train back up to Lincoln where she goes to University. I took the tube back to Paddington Station, back to my hotel, and watched a recap of England v. France in Rugby. You all know the outcome by now if you keep up with the sport. I took the Heathrow Express back to the airport in the morning after somehow managing to close my suitcase, and waited for my flight. I had a breakfast of Guinness and scrambled eggs with buttered toast at an Irish pub at Heathrow. For luck, I had one more Guinness before I left for my flight.



I would like to say the biggest THANK YOU to everyone that I had the pleasure of meeting on my trip. I can only say that if it wasn’t for Panerai, absolutely none of this would have been possible. Every person that I met, every meal I ate, every site I saw, every beer that I drank was because of Paneristi.com, and the contacts that I made on the forum since I found the site a while back now. It is about passion, pride, and love. I saw all of these things come to life on my journey, and can’t imagine not having the memories that I have now because of all of it. We are a strong community, and I don’t care what site competes with what, who is better than who, because it just doesn’t matter to me. I am here for all the things I have experienced. For the friends I’ve made. Because in the end it is all about the memories, not how many watches one owns, or how much money was made from all this. I am in it because I love it, no matter what, and that is all that matters to me.

PeteJ79



DISCLAIMER: If I left anybody out or spelled a name wrong or offended someone with my pay toilet story and accompanying image, sorry sorry sorry, but if you know me you knew what you were getting into when you clicked on this link. Thank you and good night.

-79