A Fast Tour of Cologne

Sat. morning we had a nice walk at the Neanderwald which is not far from the Millrath area. There are some Visent in the area so we could observe them from a distance.

Ursula started up the washing machine and I washed one batch of clothing. She doesn't have a dryer so we put the items on the drying rack on the balcony. Helmut washed the dishes while we took care of the laundry - she isn't very keen on letting us help with the dishes because her kitchen is so very tiny and she doesn't like to have anyone in it with her.

At 1pm. we went to Renate & Wilfrid's for a meal Salad-tossed lettuce; appetizers - sliced tomatoes, uncured mozzarella cheese with a herb and oil & vinegar dressing; bread (always); vegetable soup with wieners for the main course; followed by a dessert - I don't remember which kind.

We drove to Cologne with Renate as navigator and Ursula as a passenger. We met up with the rest of the group at Katja's home. Katja is Renate's oldest daughter. K. planned a nice outing for a large group.

Meet the group: Katja, her 2 yr. old Artur, her sister Juilia (who also lives in Cologne); Rosa the Ope er (I'm not sure how to spell that) she is Italian and cares for Artur part time and goes to school part time to learn how to care for children, etc. and the four of us from Duesseldorf.

We went by two taxies from her home to the Rheinseilbahn - a gondola car that travels on a cable high up across the Rhein river. this was an interesting way to see the out lay of the center of the city, the traffic on the river and a general view of things. We got off at the far side of the river and walked down to a riverside park where we enjoyed a snack of cookies and water courtesy of K. & U. Artur found a playground to try out for a few minutes.

Our walk continued to the entrance of the zoo where we picked up a ride on a street train - it looks like a train on rubber tires and drives along the street - it has an engine and several passenger cars. This train brought us to the platz by the famous two spired church. More walking around the platz, looking for postcards & trying to keep together as a group in a crowded area. We decided that it was time for an eis treat - ice cream. so we sat at an outdoor table as soon as we could find an empty one. Helmut ordered something nice and big and I had a little of it. Everything on the menu was huge and I figured that I wouldn't do well with the insulin if I ate a whole of anything.

After this refreshing interlude we walked on to see the church - I had to put a jacket on even though it was hot because I had on a sleeveless top - requirement in a catholic church. We could stand around in the entry way at the back of the seating area but could not tour the building to see all the fancy windows - a service was in progress.

Went to the train station and taxi stand to get a taxi back to K.'s home - she was able to get a big van this time and all of us could get into it.

Julia went on her own way as she had something else to do in the evening. Katja served us some supper. By this time Burkart was at home so we had the opportunity of a little visit with him.

Both of them are journalists and work in the broadcasting business. They have a studio set up in their lower level. They live on the second level and some other family lives on the first level.

Back to Duesseldorf for a good nights sleep.