Lesson Learnt! Whenever hiring a car, always know exactly where it is to be delivered, and also where the nearest petrol station is prior to returning the vehicle. These 2 factors cost us at least an hour going in circles in central Koln, even after getting directions from the office, where it was to be returned. Roadworks, road closures, traffic chaos, GPS telling me streets that had no names - grrrr! In the end I gave up and found a car park somewhere near where it was supposed to be parked, without filling the tank (about 2/3 full). So I will take the hit with it.
The drive from Bad Bentheim was great - smooth sailing along these brilliant freeways. We stayed at a hotel just next to the Koln Cathedral. It is huge, I believe the largest gothic style cathedral in the world. Almost destroyed in WW11, it has been rebuilt and is truly impressive.
Nearby there are another couple of large churches, not sure of denominations, but they all seemed to compete with their bells. A wedding was occurring at one and so the bells rang long in celebration. This morning the bells from the Cathedral rang out - a lovely sound.
Today is mothers day, both here and back home. Happy Mothers Day to any mothers who read this!
What can I do for Rose - let's go to Paris! We caught the Thalys train to Paris this morning, in Comfort 1 - which looks like must be 1st class! It will take just over 3 hrs to Paris via Brussels. This will take us out of our comfort zones, with Rose speaking no French, and mine is very rusty from Form3 in 1970! See how we go.