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Day 3

Last day. Murky and wet – all photos taken around 9.30am. Took trams to Messe/Deutz Bf but on leaving station by wrong exit ended up doing a round tour of the Messe complex. Eventually found right way out and walked across the Hollenzollen railway bridge to Hbf.  Will walk back through city centre to enjoy Kaffee und Kunche before returning to hotel, which they are kindly keeping for me even though I have checked out. Around midday will head back to Hbf for train to Dusseldorf Airport hopefully by a quicker train. Due to land Heathrow around 4.30 UK time.

The rather murky Rhine in Cologne….

Hollenzollen Brucke

And to finish this little trip, here is the evidence – Ron’s real reason for the visit?

To say nothing of this!!

Day 2

Clear but chilly. Took tram to Hbf and walked down the river to the market at the Chocolate Museum. The market was closed when I arrived around 10.30 and after having coffee and cake it was only half open so a wasted journey. Made my way round the markets at Rudolfplatz and Neumarkt. Then back to Hbf so a sit down. Then carried on to the Dom, Altstadt and Heumarkt markets before final Islington with another coffee and cake. One good thing is that I managed to pick up 2 gluhwein glasses. Now back in hotel for a quick freshen up before going out for something to eat. Have already checked in for my flight home.

Cologne and the canal by the Chocolate Museum

Rudolpplatz

Dom Christmas market

Altmark/Heumarkt markets

Koln Hbf. (Please note, Thalys is now operating as Eurostar)

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.