Having just left Germany, we’re back again.  You can’t keep Ron away from the gluhwein!  The usual mixture of trains, tourism, and booze follow…..

Left home early in rain at 0345 with Allan, who drove me to Heathrow for my flight to Dusseldorf, where we landed 10 minutes [early or late?] Found train going to Cologne so jumped on only to find it was a local calling at all stations the long way round and took over an hour to reach Cologne. At this time weather was still dry so found temporary tourist office and purchased a 48 hour pass, which I found out gives me a 10% discount on food and drink at Kaufhof department store. Travelled 4 stops on tram to my hotel to deposit my case as I was over 3 hours early for 1500 check in. As I left to go into city for coffee and cake it had started to drizzle but when I got off it was a downpour. Afterwards took a quick walk through city centre before going back to hotel to check in. Am now drying out in my room before returning to city for evening meal and Xmas markets – well have not had a gluhwein today. [YET]

Trams.

Trains and Cologne Hbf….

And the hunt for the gluhwien……

After a meal took a walk around some of the Christmas markets. Busiest I have even seen them. Long queues for gluhwein and only managed to get one – note to self must do better tomorrow.