Last Stop Cologne

My third stay in Cologne was this time at the Campingplatz Stadt Koln, about 5k from the city centre, in a beautiful setting right on the Rhine river.  The only downside was the constant background noise from the bridge adjacent carrying motorway traffic, but this was a minor niggle compared to everything else. I could cycle upto the bridge and along its pedestrian/cycle ways and then along the river – in fact both banks – and in 15 minutes be at my son and partner’s new apartment. This is in a lovely part of the city called Sudstadt – lots of green space, cafes, restaurants, and 5 minutes to the river bank.

In addition to actually cleaning the windows as my main contribution to their settling in, I enjoyed a bike visit to the ‘Rodenkirchen Riviera’, just 10 minutes away south of the bridge.

The green spaces, trees and waterways of the cities I have visited this time have been really well maintained and used by so many of all ages, presumably given apartment living but also so important for helping with living in the rising heat of climate change. I think 40deg is forecast for Cologne today and many of the apartment buildings are old and not adaptable for this. The parks are full of families late afternoon and into the evenings, and in most cases people are respectful of each other and friendly, and, while not having stayed in deprived areas with the problems potentially arising from poverty, I have felt safe everywhere.

The afternoon/early evening ferry crossing from the Hook of Holland to Harwich with Stena Line was a first, and I really recommend this service as well as hiring a cabin to be able to have a decent rest. The drive back  though was not one of my best due to warning lights and messages from the van, and in the UK A1 closures and diversions. Thankfully back home, before moving to unpack the van, get it and the e-bike to some servicing, tame the garden and start seeing my family and friends again, my roundup of these last 7 weeks can be no other than:

What a fantastic trip
What fantastic health I’ve enjoyed
What a fantastic van
What fantastic companions along the way
What friendly people I’ve spent abit of time with in conversation
What fantastic weather
What fantastic bikes
What fantastic food I’ve eaten
What beautiful land, and cityscapes I’ve had the privilege to see and ‘be in’
And what a fantastic home life of family and friends to leap from and come back to each time.  I think that’s it!