Cologne🇩🇪

A day being a tourist on a gorgeous sunny 28 degree day.  

I took advantage of some of the freebies and offers available to UEFA volunteers in the city today. First up a double decker bus tour of the city and surrounds. The brightly painted old bus has little suspension which added to the fun of the tour.

With 10 volunteers booked on the tour, we were tasked to find 10 tourists who would like a free ride and join us. Was very cool to walk up.to tourists from a range of countries and offer a free spontaneous trip 😊

Interesting sights from the Cathedral

, beautiful churches, the TV Broadcasting centre which is 2nd only to the BBC in Europe

, the Train station where Jews were sent to concentration camps, Ice Hockey stadium

and lots of Bridges.

Then off to see a few museums but discovered most are closed Mondays.  

The Korumba museum was open. What an extraordinary architectural masterpiece. This is the site of a church built in Roman times, expanded over the years, significantly damaged during WWII but then incredibly preserved in its ruined state with ultra modern architecture to create a museum and then art gallery on the site.

The art was just a bit too abstract for me but the building was well worth seeing.  

Then a wander through the leafy Belgium district with stylish cafes and shops and I had a cherry crumble cheesecake type of dessert 😊

I then walked through the city and over the bridge to the 'Triangle' which is an office building with a 360 degree observation deck on top giving clear views to the hills I cycled yesterday in one direction and to the Dragonfels castle I visited high on a hill a couple of weeks ago.

I finished my day at the TimeRide 3D experience. This took me to Cologne in 1920. First we watched a black and white movie of life in Cologne in 1920 and then to a beautifully styled 1920's Hat Shop where we learners how felt hats are made and then boarded an 1920's tram and put on our VR headset for a very realistic tram ride with commentary from the virtual conductor pointing out the sights. Really well done experience and incredible to attend for free.

The English are arriving ahead of the game tomorrow night and doing their best to take over the city with football banners tied to monuments and fences and pubs and cafes spilling over with shirtless guys enjoying the sunshine and a beer or two or three.  

22kms walked and many things experienced. Back and ate some leftovers and re-packed my pannier bags. Another wonderful day in Germany 😊

Cologne 🇩🇪. 63kms 🚴‍♀️

And so ends another wonderful day in Germany.  Summer is on its way! Today reached 26 degrees🎉🎉

I took advantage of a great weather day to cycle a route that volunteer Georg had given me.   I followed the Rhine for a while

and then east up into the mountains.  Cute villages with half timbered houses, forests and woods areas, a long climb up a few switchbacks in the forest

and eventually reaching the top with farmland and views back to Cologne and to further mountains. 

Many cyclists out on the route which is a known racing route.    Loved it!

Then an hour or two with Kailash, chatting on her verandah.  

Tonight I went into the city and to the Tanzbrunnen fan zone.  I had responded to an email for volunteers from other countries to perform on stage with top Cologne band Kasalla.  We gathered and had our countries flag painted on

and were provided a flag from each of the qualifying nations.

We were to be on stage and sing along while the group sang a song with a we are one sentiment.  We had one run through of the song and most already knew the words 😂

What an absolute buzz to be on stage with a popular band, 12500 fans in the crowd singing in chorus.  I didn't know the words but didn't matter.  One of my volunteer friends took some photos and videos 😊

We then watched the game in the fan zone and I ducked out before the end to get the ferry and tram back home.  Fabulous win for Germany to finish top of their pool. 

Fabulous day!