Tues 17th July : Koln

We set off from our luxury accommodation for a breakfast in Brussels, where we found a lovely cafe and ate  pastries, orangensaft and heiss schokolade! Delicious, just what the doctor ordered.
It was directly opposite a building decorated with cartoon characters Tintin and friends.

We then headed for Koln, having missed 4 turns for Koln, Rich had almost lost hope with the navigator, we took the next turn and found a sign for a campsite almost immediately ( Couldn't have planned it any better!).

It was nestled in the trees beneath a green suspension bridge. You could see the Dom in the distance but it was too far by foot.  We crossed the bridge and caught the tram instead.
It took almost the entire journey to work out how to buy a ticket from the machine (short distance single) but luckily there were no ticket inspectors - phew.

Getting off at the Dom station we were directly beneath the grandest of cathedrals, beautiful and daunting on the outside, peaceful and serene on the inside.  The stained glass and architecture was stunning, almost as breathtaking as the climb to the top of the Belfry! (accessed from a cellar outside the cathedral; why did they have to start the stairs below ground? surely that just makes it a longer climb?!)
I was hoping I could use the phrase "lets save money and I'll stay here", but sadly a family ticket was the same as an adult and 2 kids - gutted.
So up we climbed, up and round, and round and up some more.
We bypassed the bells on the way up and headed straight for a lovely cool room with no view over the city, just seating to recoup! (Can I stay here?) After about 90 secs we carried on up the metal spiral stair case in the middle of the room, finally we got to the top and even I have to admit the view was amazing, wobbly legs or no wobbly legs you could see for miles!

Then it was back down a tiny spiral staircase, to the recoup room (I could've stayed after all!) for about 10 seconds this time before the long climb down and round and yes you guessed it round and down some more.

It was now definitely time for a well deserved dinner so when in Koln we went to an ermmm mexican of course!! followed by delicious ice cream whilst watching BMX stunt'sters.

Then it was back to the van, couldn't even get to the ticket machine this time! for come coco pops and chicken soup (separately of course!) and a lovely cup of tea - we know how to live!!

Thank goodness the rain stopped when we arrived or we'd be sitting in a swamp for sure, just time for a quick stroll by the river with Dad before snuggling to bed.

Then i