Between chaos, solidarity, and small miracles
- Flo Eckhoff
- Dec 13, 2025
- 4 min read
How our double-decker bus finally made it to the rust repair shop
Sometimes there are these phases in life where everything just happens at once. Good things. Difficult things. And things that leave you momentarily unsure whether to laugh or cry.
The last two weeks definitely belonged to that category.
Monday, December 1, 2025 – The shocking moment
On Monday we picked up the door opposite the driver's area from the workshop.
Untouched. Unprocessed. Unprepared.
We were shocked, frustrated, and frankly, quite desperate. Because:
On Thursday, December 4th, our bus was supposed to be taken to the rust repair shop in Dinklage.
And this very same workshop, which was responsible for the door, also wanted to install the new window in the upper deck together with us. Well, that didn't happen.
So there we were: Monday evening. Without a plan.
With a glass value of approximately €5,000:
Door: €1,500
Upper deck window: €3,600
And once again we arrived at a point that I have truly internalized by now:
Contacts are everything.
Tuesday & Wednesday – Improvisation at the highest level
I made phone calls. I sent messages. I activated my contacts. And indeed:
We have found a solution.
On Wednesday, December 3rd, between 4:00 PM and 10:00 PM, five men suddenly appeared at our place – to glue the window into the upper deck. At a height of 3 meters.
Two from the inside
Two from the outside
One person responsible for materials, tools, and coordination
Of course, we also took a pizza break. Yes, there are healthier alternatives. But let's be honest: how often do we eat pizza in our lives? Very rarely. And those who work deserve a good meal.
Meanwhile, the glass was being knocked out of the door, old adhesive was being removed from the door, and the new glass was being installed by the men – multitasking at double-decker level.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
A huge thank you to:
Marcel, Florian (our organizer from afar), Dennis, Fabian, Mattia, Kevin
This challenge would not have been possible without you.
Thursday, December 4th – Departure day with thrills
Thursday morning. Planned departure day.
Marcel got up very early and reassembled and reinstalled the door an hour before the planned departure. Hallelujah. What a thrill!
The bus driver arrived around 1 p.m. The engine started, but the bus wouldn't level itself; the suspension didn't raise. As a result, the bus couldn't be moved.
Additionally: All error messages in the cockpit, no access to bus information. Among them "Engine control error, STOP!", oh my god.
To cut a long story short:
The bus driver went back home.
And us? We were back where we started. And had to start all over again. Before any criticism arises:
Yes, we're not bus experts. But even the bus driver, who had driven double-decker buses for years, didn't know what the problem was.
So:
Called MAN workshop
Instagram followers who have long since become friends, contacted
Called Florian
Sunday, December 7th – Weekend deployment
Florian was with us again on Sunday. Another weekend. Another several hours of work – together with Marcel – right on the bus.
In my defense, I was also looking after the children and giving telephone consultations as a birthkeeper and breastkeeper during this time. So I wasn't just twiddling my thumbs.
Bonus Drama: The Marten
As if all that wasn't enough, the men noticed something while troubleshooting: a cable from a sensor had been chewed through, causing the error message "Engine control fault, STOP!" Presumably by a marten. Luckily, Marcel is an industrial electronics technician. A half-broken cable doesn't faze him. It certainly raises my pulse.
The cable was repaired together with Florian – everything was working again. A complete replacement will follow, but that will take about two days, as at least one alternator has to be removed. Case closed.
Wednesday, December 10th – Finally: Trip to Dinklage
On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the time had finally come: Dennis drove the bus with us to Dinklage – in convoy: He in front and we behind.
Thanks to our Webfleet bus navigation system, the route went perfectly:
Bridges
tunnel
Height
Maximum speed 80 km/h
Everything was taken into account.
Fuel stop: approx. €250 for half a tank (Some people are interested in that)
Initial assessment in the rust repair shop
On Friday, Dominik from NeverEverRust took a look at the bus from underneath.
Built in 2009 – of course there's rust.
But:
The overall condition is good.
There's a lot of work ahead – yes.
But it could be worse. Always think positive.
Media updates – It continues
A new follow-up article appeared in the Hamburger Abendblatt on Saturday, December 13th.
NeverEverRust and Palenga car detailing were also mentioned there.
(Both will accompany us on this journey.)
The next editorial meeting is on Sunday, December 14th (today):
Especially on a Sunday
Right next to the workshop
Approximately a 2-hour drive
1 hour on site
2-hour return journey
And we're very happy to do it. The OM article will follow shortly. Another newspaper article is currently being prepared and will be published in week 51.
Stage set – January 2026
Did I mention that my stage appearance in January is scheduled? With date and time. I'll be presenting our double-decker bus project for 30 minutes. I'll announce the time and location soon.
Driving licence update
Progress is being made here as well:
Ophthalmological report check
General practitioner report check
The only things missing are:
First aid course
Passport photo
I'll get both of those things done this year.
I will officially start my driver's license training in January.
Until the next blog post, I wish you a wonderful time.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for your interest.
Thanks for cheering us on.
Flo
Donation account: From eviction to new beginnings