Bremen & a quick change in Cologne

Following our minor detour and rescheduling the plan we headed to Bremen.

Bremen, you could say is interesting, it didn’t feel like Germany, not that we’ve much understanding or knowledge of Germany; it’s certainly very different to the south and Bavaria. 

The old town had some beautiful buildings and an impressive glockenspiel clock but it all felt a little ordinary a few paces from the centre.

Unemployment perhaps, poverty and unkept streets all gave the impression that there may be social issues in the background, not unlike inner city GB. It’s possibly the first time on our travels where we both felt the need to keep an eye on our surroundings. 

Nevertheless, we enjoyed the old town, a return visit, possibly not!

Quick stop and change in Cologne

As we make our way towards Belgium and with the disappointment of not making Berlin, we headed to Cologne where we had under an hour to change trains.  Not wasting a minute and with Helen wanting to get even more steps in we strolled over the concourse and visited Cologne cathedral. 

We were not disappointed; huge, massive, enormous that sums up the Dom, the tallest twin-spired church in the world!  Impressive stain-glass windows with sunlight flaring through filled the magnificent place of worship with light. 

There were simply hundreds of people inside, so not at all intimate in anyway, a bustle if not a jostle here and there as we made our way around. 

The mosaic floors in places are spectacular as are the windows. With candles lit and prayers offered, we made our way back to the station and fought to find a space on the next ICE train out of town… so Belgium here we come!