13-17/12/2014 Christmas Markets, Cologne

We decided to celebrate our Silver Wedding Anniversary by visiting the Cologne Christmas Markets.

Saturday 13 December.

Arrived at Calais 19.15 hrs. This was later than planned due to the Dump Valve on Frank's fresh water tank being stuck open.We delayed the ferry by a day, and thought we had got the valve sorted until the pump was switched on at Dover, only to pump the contents of the tank straight through the floor. On top of that got a message from Simon, our builder, asking if he could  do work at the house straight away as another client had let him down! Figured it was only Jack at home who would be disturbed so told him to crack on. Too late to do anything else now about the water situation in Frank so we decided to remain calm and carry on - solution focussed and so visited the Carrefour at Cite Europe on arrival in France and purchased several 5 litre bottles of water. Headed for the aire at Gravelines, this being our 3rd visit there. We find it really pleasant and convenient for the Calais ferry, and even though the middle of December and arriving in the dark, found it fairly busy, which was nice! So I (Jo) am sat, feet up in slippers, nice and cosy in Frank with a glass of 'vin rouge' writing our blog.

Sunday 14 December.

The day started with a frosty run along the river at Gravelines on a beautiful sunny morning after a good nights sleep. Frank was lovely and warm, our first test of it in winter!

The view from Frank - Koln Stelleplatze

It was a 5 hour drive to Cologne (Koln to the Germans) and it was a very pleasant drive through France, Belgium and Holland into Germany. Being a Sunday most places were closed, and we wanted to try and find the Stelleplatze in daylight. Traffic into Koln was very busy. We found the site fairly easily, but think we may have contravened the emissions zone in doing so!! The site was right on the bank of the River Rhine and Koln looks to be a busy and vibrant city. We had an early supper followed by a walk along the river bank to the city centre.

Looking towards the city centre

It was a 20 minute walk passing lots of the river cruise ships moored up. Lots of lovely shops and we discovered several of the 7 Christmas markets. They look very pretty but some of the goods and the different stalls look a bit 'samey'. The atmosphere is lovely though! Mark determined to have currywurst and chips at one of the stalls for tea one night. Wandered back to Frank to warm up and sample more wine!!!



Monday 15 December.

Started the day with a run along the bank of the Rhine. We ran away from the city centre and found it to be very industrial, and a bit of rain in the air! Got back to Frank in time to avoid the downpour and after breakfast went off in search of food shops (10 minutes away on two feet and we will find everything we need said the site manager!). And we did :- German rye bread, bratwurst, lovely unsalted butter, German beer and wine, herring and beetroot salad - all made for a good lunch.

Walked back into Koln again to explore the shops and markets. We bought some lovely decorations and then enjoyed amazing potatoe rostis and gluwein in the Angel Markt. Tomorrow we will try to find some more of the markets. We have been pleasantly surprised by the markets - not as much 'tat' as we had been told with some lovely wooden and glass decoration stalls.

Tired, we walked back to Frank which was warm and cosy. Mark sampled the German red wine that we bought this morning - glad we only bought the one bottle!






Tuesday 16 December - Silver Wedding Anniversary.

Started the day with a run along the Rhine, towards the city centre this time. We ran past a river cruiser which was called 'Amelia'. Back to the van for a wash (no shower don't forget!) and breakfast and coffee. We walked back towards the city intending to get a photo of 'Amelia' but she had gone. We had a wander through the old part of town and found another market with an ice rink. This was the nicest market we had found so far with a lovely feel to it, even during daylight, There were bric-a-brac and antique stalls, which weren't cheap but were lovely and quite different to what we had seen up until then.

Lunch back at Frank, so we went back to the supermarket for supplies and cake!! We decided to eat at the markets this evening - no posh anniversary meal for us, although that it what we had planned to do - but the markets were so atmospheric and the food looked so good we thought we would celebrate 25 years in a similar way to the way we had spent our honeymoon is Salzburg and Vienna. So Mark had his currywurst and chips, and I had some form of ciabatta with melted cheese, ham and creme fraiche. We had a really nice wander around the big market in front of the 'Dom' cathedral assisted by a couple of mugs of gluwein to get us back to Frank!!

The largest market in front of the Dom

25 Years

Wednesday 17 December.

Early start today to drive back to Calais. Drove through Germany, Holland, Belgium and France in the rain, and stocked up with some bits and pieces at Carrfour in Calais. We had a very civilised lunch whilst waiting for the ferry. The crossing was really easy and back in England before we knew it! Heading home to find what Amelia, Jack and Simon the builder have been up to in our absence. Should have a new kitchen floor, downstairs loo, and absolute chaos we expect.

Loved this trip, and it confirmed to us that using Frank through the winter will not be a problem as it was lovely and warm. The heating is really good and fast to heat up. A couple of jobs to do on the van before the next trip, but nothing too difficult to sort out. Can't wait!!