Cologne to Brussels Train #9428

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We arrived in Cologne just as the first commuters were arriving to work. The twin towers of the Cathedral rose above the train station, in fact towered over the entire city- vast gothic edifices with a sign that proudly proclaimed UNESCO world heritage status. We had a look round as we had a couple of hours to wait for the train to Brussels. Harry wanted to know how old it was and who lived there. The answers of ‘Eight Hundred Years’ and ‘God’ didn’t seem to impress him too much, and when the massive organ started playing some archaic fugue he proclaimed, “I know this song, but I forgot what it’s called.” We took a photo outside of Harry doing his best ‘Damien Omen’ impersonation. Scary...

Back in the station Marcelle had found a Wi Fi hotspot and was trawling Facebook for all she was worth. Being a German train station it obviously had a wonderful block for having a shower, so we took a piping hot one to wash away the last two days of wearing the same clothes from Moscow (who said train travel was glamourous?). It didn’t take long before Maisie and Harry discovered the numerous pretzel and cake shops in the station and tucked in. The ‘Currywurst Express’ bratwurst in a bun was a particular favourite.

The train arrived, and we piled on to our first non sleeper train in five weeks. The Thalys trains are plush, fast and boast Wi Fi. Harry didn’t like the lack of space, but Maisie loved her own personal shelf, and had soon arranged her ‘Littlest Pet Shop’ pets having a nice chat with a Playmobil Ghenghis Khan we had picked up. That should make for an interesting conversation.

2 comments:

Grandad Geoff said...

Wow! Like coming to the end of a well-loved book where you have been in thrall to the narrator. Well done that man!
You really should submit it to at least one of the week-end magazines, although they may need to edit somewhat.
You would get a job with Trailfinders no problem.
At least have it printed and send everyone a copy.
Love to you all. XXXX

Anonymous said...

A wonderful achievement, well done.
Did the stealth money belt (stashed with $1500 on the inside - I liked it, very pimpy) prove invaluable?
How many of your (3) pairs of underwear have you chucked away because they were illegally unhygenic/soiled?
Who is the smelliest in your family?

...and would you do it again??!!

Speak soon

Ralph, Dawn, Lottie, Danny & Finn

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