Rhine views

Monday:
We had a leisurely start to the day, the kids slept in for a change. We went to Düsseldorf for breakfast at a huge furniture store that is well famous here for offering a good value breakfast special, IKEA. Yes, it was big but I couldn't think of much that they might offer that was different to our stores, perhaps I should have taken Kathy or Susan with me for a more accurate assessment!
We then went on to a car museum/specialist dealership. Lot's of fantastic cars: Maseratti's, Aston Martin's, McLaren motor's, Morgan's and so on and so on. Once again I thought of some who would have enjoyed the experience, such as Mum and Mark. Afterwards we went to a small town nearby on the Rhine where we watched a few barges ply the wide and flat river.
As the weather was holding out we took the opportunity to go on to Köln where we enjoyed a well known Goulash restaurant, which only a local would know of or find. We then walked through the busy city malls to the catherdral. HUGE and wonderful to see inside and out. AMAZING.
By 6pm we where enjoying the hospitality of Beate and Carsten, and their sons Jan and Marlte. Michael and Rachel declined the offer to sleepover and go to school with Jan. I think spending the night with boys who only spoke German was a bit off putting, apart from the idea of going to school while on holidays. Another great night getting to know each other and enjoying fabulous food. I'm glad we have walked so much, otherwise we would be charged for excess weight!!

Tuesday:
Today had a rainy start but we were not detered. We went for a little drive to near Frankfurt. It took us 3 hours, which should have only been 2, but we had a large traffic jam and a detour along the way. We eventually got to the Rhine river at Bingen for the start of a cruise down river to St Goar, near the famous Lorrelei. This area of the river is known as the "Romantic Region" and has many castles and vineyards along the steep and terraced slopes of the valley. It is approximately half way from the Rhine's start in Switzerland to it's end at Rotterdam. We again enjoyed the autumn colours and watched people hand picking the vines as it is now vintage time. The drive home started along a winding road through a wonderful forest before we hit the Autobahn. There was traffic but no major hold ups on the way home, thankfully.
Dinner this time was waiting for us at Frau Köller's where she had cooked authentic German food and even a vegetable that I have never seen in Australia. How far do we need to walk now??
Talk again soon. Love and prayers to you all.