Düsseldorf

All along the waterfront, old buildings that were there 4 years ago are being replaced with dramatic new architecture as we approach the city centre.Damn, to think I forked out €90 for a bed last night when we could have stayed in the town centre for nothing. The Cologne Cathedral is one of the most impressive you’ll ever see. Look at the scaffolding up on the left.Imagine being under this when it fell off.!! Each of the 4 stones that make this piece would have taken a stonemason a month to make. Then look at the millions of them in this building and you can understand why this Cathedral , and many more like them, took several generations to build.Professional beggars !! (The one sitting ) You see them outside every Cathedral . Interesting fact. The original doors were damaged after WW1 and it’s rumoured that some kiwi soldiers souvenired bits of it. ( the police now keep a close watch on them)We were told that the north of the city was industrial and ugly. I enjoy a bit of industry! And the path has been tree lined for 5 kmsA mum getting her exercise I’ve seen a lot of semi trailers on trains and wondered how they got them on. It’s a great idea though. When they get to where they’re going a truck just tows the loaded trailer to its destination. The Ford plant covers hundreds of acres and has 3 stations for staff to get to their part of it. Only about 15% of bikers wear helmets here. (I’ve counted) I guess when NZ has enough decent bikeways we’ll go the same way. It certainly encourages more women especially ,to commute by bike.we cross to the right bank after coffee. See the little red trailer. Young couples cart their children around in them. while us sad old beggars take our sad old dogs in them.Every blokes dream! To have his coffee in a crane cafe.