Heide

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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
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- Dec 17, 2018
- ⛅ 6 °C
- Altitude: 50 m
- Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Dellbrück 50.974537, 7.0725550°58’28” N 7°4’21” E
Day 8
Cologne
December 17, 2018 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
Our first day in Cologne was a quiet one. Boys were a bit worn out so they spent some time with Vern going to the park and having some lunch at a local Italian restaurant. Whilst louise and I went into town to go to the bank, yes we needed more money, and did a little shopping.

We did go past the famous Cologne Christmas markets out the front of the Dom and had the most amazing chocolate coated strawberries. There was also some amazing nougat. We are planning a evening at those markets later in the week.

Tomorrow is Vern’s birthday, and we have a dinner out planned but he is not sure what he wants to do during the day.

Also there is a photo showing some little hessian bags on a sting on the kids bedroom wall. This is an advent calendar for the kids that Katrin made. What a fantastic idea.Read more
Traveler Nice work team. Look great. Chocolate covered anything is good Lou.
12/17/18Reply
Traveler Happy Birthday Vern, Make it a memorable European birthday to remember, Love Mike & Helen
12/17/18Reply
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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
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- Jan 7, 2019, 11:17pm
- 🌧 7 °C
- Altitude: 50 m
- Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Dellbrück 50.974595, 7.072350°58’29” N 7°4’20” E
Day 29
Last full day
January 7, 2019 in Germany ⋅ 🌧 7 °C
Well here we are at the end of our trip. Today was our last full day and we spent it shopping!! Not anywhere near the scale that Kyles’ does but I was pretty happy with the shoes I bought. Vern got a new north face jacket and the boys bought a great t-shirt and hoodie from the big sports store.

We had our last lunch at our favourite spot on the Rhine and discussed how great the trip was. Nobody wants to go home, but I told the kids we were totally out of money.

It is going to be so hard to say goodbye knowing we will not be back for quite a while. Fingers crossed Philipp and Katrin might come to Australia in the next few years. We will really miss them.

Tomorrow we head out to Frankfurt on the ICE train and start our trip home.Read more
Traveler Everything good must come to an end, DARN !!!! Love Dad
1/7/19Reply
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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
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- Jan 6, 2019, 8:13pm
- ⛅ 5 °C
- Altitude: 48 m
- Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Dellbrück 50.9747, 7.07248250°58’29” N 7°4’21” E
Day 28
Birthday Cake at Sonja's
January 6, 2019 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
Today was a slow start with the big traditional German brekky followed by an unpack from skiing and a partial pack to head home.

Silke arrived about lunchtime and then we all headed to Sonja’s house for the famous Black Forest cake for Vern’s birthday. Karla spent a few days preparing her famous birthday cake especially for Vern. Three other distant cousins joined us and it was such a wonderful afternoon with 5 different cakes in total and yes I sampled them all!

I totally love the way the Germans have turned coffee and cake into a whole meal on its own. Unlike in Australia where everybody holds back because of the calories, in Germany they all just dig in and enjoy not just one slice, but one of everything!

It was so wonderful for Vern to enjoy some time with his extended family that were his age and to exchange stories. They also made me feel so welcome. We all can’t wait to come back one day.Read more
Traveler Whats not to love about Cake ! Brilliant.
1/6/19Reply
Traveler I love it that turning 50 celebrations never end!!
1/6/19Reply
Traveler Love all that cake too !!!! By the sounds of the European snow reports you got out of Switzerland at the right time . Love to all, Dad & H
1/6/19Reply
Katrina Parker Yes you are right dad. Even just a few hours later and it may have been a bit too hard to the road.
1/6/19Reply
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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
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- Dec 28, 2018, 4:02pm
- ⛅ 4 °C
- Altitude: 48 m
- Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Dellbrück 50.974681, 7.07251150°58’29” N 7°4’21” E
Day 19
Day of packing for the ski trip
December 28, 2018 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C
Well there is not much to report today as we slept in and then commenced the big repack into soft bags. Yes all that ski gear into 4 soft sports bags for the five of us. But it’s all done and the car is loaded! Lochie had one last look at his skis before they were loaded.
We are all set. Into bed early to get a few hours sleep before leaving at 0130am for the big drive. Kids taking pillow and doonas to sleep cause Philipp wants the cabin cool.

Let the adventure begin!Read more
Traveler How exciting??!!!! Wowsers. Drive safe, stay warm and we look forward to pics of Trine carving up the slopes. Lol. Xx
12/28/18Reply
Katrina Parker You are too funny!
12/28/18Reply
Traveler Travel safe. Going to be awesome.
12/28/18Reply
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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
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- Dec 27, 2018, 7:10pm
- ☁️ 1 °C
- Altitude: 48 m
- Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Dellbrück 50.97459, 7.07238350°58’29” N 7°4’21” E
Day 18
Rudesheim
December 27, 2018 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 1 °C
Vern and I had a date day!!! Thanks to Philipp and Katrin who took the kids for the day so Vern and I could go to Rüdesheim.

The kids went to a trampolining centre and then shopping at a toy and sports store. Lochie bought these awesome Nike soccor boots with the spending money he was given for Christmas. I just hope they fit by the time soccor season comes around!

Vern and I left early and caught the light rail and two trains to be in Rüdesheim by lunch. it was so so cold. The whole valley was in fog and the trees on the top half of the hills were all frosted over. It’s the only time in Germany so far, that I have been really cold. We walked through the beautiful old part of the town but quite a bit was closed now that Christmas is over. We found a great Italian restaurant for lunch and had a sensational feed. A special day for the two of us.

Tomorrow is all about packing for the snow!Read more
Traveler Awesome to see Vern is representing BCF. Nice work. Trine, you must be representing Flower Power! Lol. Good times- date day, what’s not to love?!!
12/27/18Reply
Traveler Love the caravan park on the side of the river. That could be cold around the campfire at night ! Looking forward to the ski pics.
12/27/18Reply
Katrina Parker Yeah Al it could be a very cold midnight trip to the toilet in the caravan park.
12/27/18Reply
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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
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- Dec 26, 2018, 10:17pm
- ⛅ 0 °C
- Altitude: 50 m
- Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Dellbrück 50.974656, 7.07232450°58’29” N 7°4’20” E
Day 17
Boxing Day or 2nd Christmas
December 26, 2018 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 0 °C
In Germany today is known as the second Christmas and unlike in Australia, all shops are still shut. Even the bakeries.

A long sleep in and a slow start was the order of the day with brekky that happened at lunchtime.

Philipp and Vern went for a long walk on the Rhine whilst Katrin and I took the three youngest boys to the climbing centre to burn off some energy. We also checked our helmets and goggles ready for our snow trip on Saturday. This made for some fun bobsled impersonating.

Karla joined us at home for afternoon tea and then dinner where we sampled cheeses from all over Europe. It was quite the tour!

Another wonderful day spending time with wonderful family.Read more
Traveler That rock climbing wall looks like so much fun!! What an unreal Christmas?! Love it.
12/26/18Reply
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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
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- Dec 25, 2018, 10:11pm
- 🌙 0 °C
- Altitude: 50 m
- Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Dellbrück 50.974636, 7.07227150°58’29” N 7°4’20” E
Day 16
Cristmas Day
December 25, 2018 in Germany ⋅ 🌙 0 °C
What a magical day we have had with our German relatives for Christmas. After an extremely late night last night (like 0130 this morning) we did all sleep in till about 9am but I still felt exhausted. With a slow start we watched Philipp prepare two geese for Christmas dinner at Sonja’s. One in his oven, and one in the neighbour’s oven. 4.5 hours on low heat. It was soooo worth the wait.

Karla joined the three families for dinner in a beautifully decorated dining table as we had goose, red cabbage and potato dumplings. This was boiled potatoes that were then mashed and then mixed with something soft and rolled into balls. My kids called them potato balls but that doesn’t really do them justice. I can’t really explain goose but the meat was so soft and tender and was more like duck than turkey. Kyles I think you would love it.
It was stuffed with plums and then covered with a beautiful gravy as it was served. The meal was enjoyed with great wine and conversation in both German and English depending on who was talking, but everybody was so understanding of my lack of German.

For dessert Sonja made a mascarpone and Katrin made chocolate mousse. Both were sensational!

It was so special to see our kids play with Sonja’s kids even though they didn’t know one another. Hide and seek outside in 2 degrees in the dark was loved by all. My boys didn’t want to leave.

Tonight we are in bed at 10.30pm which is early by European standards but we are all exhausted. Tomorrow is boxing day but the Germans call it the second Christmas. I am hoping it will start with a sleep in.

Merry Christmas everybody! XxxRead more
Traveler You can send some goose over. Looks great.
12/26/18Reply
Traveler Looks like a wonderful day. Merry Christmas to you all. Snap lots of pics - capture those lifelong memories. Xx
12/26/18Reply
Katrina Parker They are certainly life long memories. It has been so great to actually “live” in Germany and not just tour it. That has been such a gift.
12/26/18Reply
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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
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- Dec 23, 2018, 10:11pm
- 🌧 8 °C
- Altitude: 50 m
- Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Dellbrück 50.974529, 7.07242850°58’28” N 7°4’21” E
Day 14
Nikolaus' 18th Birthday
December 23, 2018 in Germany ⋅ 🌧 8 °C
Today was Nikolaus’ 18th Birthday. As he had a party at home last night,he slept till late giving us time to prepare a few special items. Katrin prepared the birthday table and I made mars bar slice for Nikolaus.

Roly took a long walk with Sonja and frank in the fields and the boys played.

Karla and Gisela (Katrin’s Mum) arrived at 4pm for coffee, cake and gifts for Nikolaus. The cake Karla made was totally amazing. Nikolaus loves his gifts, then we had our usual late dinner at about 8.30pm, of pulled pork rolls. Philipp had slow cooked the pork neck under the bbq hood for 8 hours. It was amazing and came with a specially made sauce. It was so good, lochie had two pulled pork rolls for dinner!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, the holy night here in Germany and we are looking forward to celebrating Christmas the German way this year. Bring it on.Read more
Traveler Yes Christmas Eve day here , Off to get the prawns for tomorrow lunch at Als. Hotter today, Helen has made a tray of Rocky Road and other stuff, All good here, Your holiday sounds fabulous. Dad
12/23/18Reply
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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
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- Dec 22, 2018, 9:30pm
- ⛅ 8 °C
- Altitude: 50 m
- Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Dellbrück 50.974701, 7.07227450°58’29” N 7°4’20” E
Day 13
Phantasialand
December 22, 2018 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
After the Christmas tree was safely delivered home, we met up with Sonja and Maybrit and headed to phantasialand. This is the German version of Disneyland and I have to say I was really impressed. I was expecting something a step down from Disneyland but I was pleasantly surprised. I know many people say you can’t beat Disney, but for rides and atmosphere, this was right up there.

Kids road one of the roller coasters over and over again with their German relatives and said it was the best! More food was consumed and after the fireworks we headed home.

It was another amazing day of wonderful experiences. Can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings.Read more
Traveler Where’s the pics of Trine riding the big rides?!!
12/22/18Reply
Katrina Parker You know I am not a lover of scary rides.
12/22/18Reply
Traveler Certainly looks fantastic. I could imagine having a nice bratwurst from one of the shops there.
12/23/18Reply
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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
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- Dec 22, 2018, 6:20pm
- ⛅ 9 °C
- Altitude: 48 m
- Germany North Rhine-Westphalia Cologne Dellbrück 50.974709, 7.07245950°58’29” N 7°4’21” E
Day 13
Cristmas Tree
December 22, 2018 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
Today was Christmas tree day!!
We had such a great time choosing a Christmas tree and Philipp let Vern have the honour of cutting it down. I think Philipp just didn’t want to get his jeans dirty. Kids got a ride on a beautiful old tractor back to the shed where the tree was put through a machine shaped like a jet engine to be covered I netting for transportation. On the roof racks it went for the trip home. I have included a photo of louise which was taken for The Mercedes in the background. You will see they didn’t have roof racks so they just put the tree on a blanket on the roof! Inside the Barn was beautiful and had such a great atmosphere for having hot chocolate and bratwurst. I could have sat there for hours listening to carols.Read more
Traveler That’s awesome!! A whole new experience in getting a Christmas tree. In future, going to Kmart isn’t going to cut it!! see what i did there? "Cut it". lol.
12/22/18Reply
Katrina Parker Probably not.
12/22/18Reply
Traveler Wow that I seriously cool. A little bit more in the spirit to grabbing one from the non English speaking corner shop operator that we get ours from. Lol.
12/23/18Reply
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