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9th February 2025

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Today i thought I would literally just sign off from the blog and recap and reflect. It’s a travel day (or two) and we know i’m not a big fan of those. Anyhoo, we started early, escorting James to Liverpool st Station to begin his epic journey home. More about that when we’re home but he is coming home a little earlier than planned. We will follow somewhat later today. Checked in with Harry and Tina. Tina was catching up with a friend for coffee this morning and Harry has one last little adventure for us. We caught our 26 bus down to the main financial district.  Bank of England ( only 300 years old), the Stock Exchange and London’s Magistrates Court. We had a great breakfast before heading into theBarbican. These ruins just outside the cafe. A church against the wall of London, built of course on a roman wall… I had no idea what this was, the Barbican that is but oh my, I feel I have landed in a parallel universe. This is essentially a city within the city of London. Home to over...
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8th January 2025

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Far too early a start to the day after last nights late night shenanigans. Fun night tho. But we must get to the airport. Today we are leaving Germany with the first of a few flights that will get us back to home. Love this flight tho, as it is so short. We are sad that our German adventure has finished, we truly had the most wonderful time. The generosity of Tinas mum and dad was incredible and so appreciated, I am sure they are exhausted but can recuperate now we are gone. Tinas mum packed rolls for us as there was no time for breakfast, so very kind. Easy flight, arriving back in London at 11am and its a dreary, raining day but perfect for the naps that we all plan on taking this afternoon. Stopped in at Spitalfields market for some food and a coffee then home to Harry and Tinas. Stuart and I headed to our little Hotel with our packs  to try and organise a bit before our flight home tomorrow. After all the napping, we get together again and head off for some Sushi and Ramen for...
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7th February 2025

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Happy birthday to our dear niece Millicent.🥂 A slower start today as our adventure isn't too far away, but first we will walk to the bakery for breakfast provisions. We drive the short twenty km’s or so to the very old town of Zons ( pronounced tsons) which sits on the west bank of the Rhine River. This beautiful old town is still surrounded by a relatively intact wall. At the corners are towers built in different shapes depending on which direction they are facing. One is in fact a wind driven mill, converted in late middle ages.  There are also two public gates that gave access to the town. I am stunned at the condition of both the wall and the towers. We also drop into the local church, one of those hidden gems.  After a walk around town, we hop in the car and catch a ferry across the majestic Rhine river to immediately arrive in South Dusseldorf.  To night is a birthday celebration dinner for Tina’s brother, so we stop for some supplies on way home.  A quiet af...
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6th February 2025

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Day 3 of our German odyssey  and today we are off to the westerly town of Aachen, its about an hour away. We arrived about 11am and  immediately could see just how beautiful and picturesque this town is, but first coffee. And guess what? We have another recommendation from Tina and again she is spot on. A hot spring fountain,  Like money that goes around so does the water at this fountain. This is an incredibly old town, as in the Middle Ages old and was also a stronghold for the ruler Charlemagne, one reason was the hot springs.  There are so many sites around the town recognising him. Once fuelled by our coffee and complimentary brownie where head to explore the Cathedral. Now this one dates back to AD 796 and this Charlemagne's palace church.  The Cathedral is also said to be the final resting place of Charlemagne but no one really knows where. Not surprising tho as bits of him seem to keep popping up in all sorts of artefacts around town. The only superlati...
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