Cologne District

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Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
Day16
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
Alan Smith
You can send some goose over. Looks great.
12/26/18Reply
Team W
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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Dec 25, 2018, 10:11pm · 🌙 0 °C · Altitude: 50 m · 50°58'29" N 7°4'20" E
Germany Cologne Dellbrück
Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
Day18
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
Team W
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
Alan Smith
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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Dec 27, 2018, 7:10pm · ☁️ 1 °C · Altitude: 48 m · 50°58'29" N 7°4'21" E
Germany Cologne Dellbrück
Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
Day28
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
Alan Smith
Whats not to love about Cake ! Brilliant.
1/6/19Reply
Team W
I love it that turning 50 celebrations never end!!
1/6/19Reply
Mike Smith
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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Jan 6, 2019, 8:13pm · ⛅ 5 °C · Altitude: 48 m · 50°58'29" N 7°4'21" E
Germany Cologne Dellbrück
Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
Day13
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
Team W
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
Alan Smith
Certainly looks fantastic. I could imagine having a nice bratwurst from one of the shops there.
12/23/18Reply
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Dec 22, 2018, 9:30pm · ⛅ 8 °C · Altitude: 50 m · 50°58'29" N 7°4'20" E
Germany Cologne Dellbrück
Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
Day19
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
Team W
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
Alan Smith
Travel safe. Going to be awesome.
12/28/18Reply
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Dec 28, 2018, 4:02pm · ⛅ 4 °C · Altitude: 48 m · 50°58'29" N 7°4'21" E
Germany Cologne Dellbrück
Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
Day11
Bonn
December 20, 2018 in Germany ⋅ 🌧 8 °C
What a totally awesome day we had today in Bonn. Bonn was the capital of west Germany prior to the reunification. We stayed at the Haribo factory outlet shop, and boy did the kids go nuts on lollies. They have been warned that consumption will be monitored. Such fun though.

We then went into the old town centre and it was just beautiful. Just by chance we had lunch in the Pizza Hut, which was the same one I had lunch in with mum and felicity in 1992 when I visited her.

The Christmas markets in Bonn were the best we have been to so far. Beautiful gifts and stalls with wonderful food and carols playing. I totally over indulged in the chocolate coated strawberries. They were amazing! The best I have had so far.

We then took a ride on the City Sky Liner which takes you up in the air then rotates so you get an awesome view of the city and the Rhine. It was really good.

Our final stop before heading home on the autobahn was the History of Germany Museum from 1945 onwards. So much recent history and the museum was fantastic. We didn’t get to spend as much time as we would have liked due to having three children in tow, but they were pretty good and asked lots of questions.

Tonight we are having Currywurst for dinner which is Vern’s favourite. Kids love it too.

We are eating our way around Germany, yet again!Read more
Team W
Guys, looks like you are having so much fun!! And I also recall the best Choc coated strawberries are definitely in Europe!! Bonn looks like a pretty place. Xx
12/20/18Reply
Alan Smith
Bonn looks fantastic. Tell Will he is too big for that ride. 8-)
12/20/18Reply
Katrina Parker
You think!
12/20/18Reply
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Dec 20, 2018, 7:59pm · 🌧 8 °C · Altitude: 48 m · 50°58'29" N 7°4'21" E
Germany Cologne Dellbrück
Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
Day13
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
Team W
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
Alan Smith
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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Dec 22, 2018, 6:20pm · ⛅ 9 °C · Altitude: 48 m · 50°58'29" N 7°4'21" E
Germany Cologne Dellbrück
Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
Day8
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
Alan Smith
Nice work team. Look great. Chocolate covered anything is good Lou.
12/17/18Reply
Mike Smith
Happy Birthday Vern, Make it a memorable European birthday to remember, Love Mike & Helen
12/17/18Reply
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Dec 17, 2018 · ⛅ 6 °C · Altitude: 50 m · 50°58'28" N 7°4'21" E
Germany Cologne Dellbrück
Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
Day9
Vern's 50th Birthday Begins!
December 18, 2018 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C
Happy Birthday Vern! You made it!

What a beautiful morning it is today with the sun shining. We had a great German breakfast and Philipp and Katrin set up a fantastic birthday table for Vern. After singing happy birthday and blowing out the candles on the “beer cake” Vern opened a gift from Philipp and Katrin. It was a beautiful book with a page for each of Vern’s trips to Germany beginning in 1973. Katrin has sourced some great old photos to create a beautiful book with awesome memories. A tear or two may have been shed. So thoughtful and beautiful.

This afternoon we are off to a different Christmas market for more Gluhwein and food before a special dinner at a Brauhaus that Philipp has booked with the rest of the family.Read more
Team W
Happy happy birthday Uncle Vern! How special to be spending your 50th with your family in Germany!! Drink up!! Xx
12/18/18Reply
Alan Smith
Wow, what a fantastic birthday present that book is. Have a ripper day Vern and enjoy the food and experience tonight at dinner
12/18/18Reply
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Dec 18, 2018, 11:59am · ⛅ 6 °C · Altitude: 50 m · 50°58'29" N 7°4'20" E
Germany Cologne Dellbrück
Katrina Parker Our European Christmas
Day13
Raclette for Dinner!
December 22, 2018 in Germany ⋅ 🌧 9 °C
Last night we had the most fun and fabulous night eating Raclette together. The photos show what I am talking about but you put boiled potato on the small grill plates and top it with your favourite meat. Perhaps ham, prosciutto, venison or beef and then a special cheese, that I cannot remember the name of. Then you put it under the special grill that sits in the middle of the table. Each person does their own and you sit around and chat, or in Philipp’s case, sing! It is a really social meal and we all loved it. It is traditional Swiss, so I am told we will have it again next week in Switzerland.

We all totally loved it and of course drank plenty of wine and then enjoyed some great music.

Oh and another similarity between Vern and Philipp that I discovered is that Philipp plays the saxophone as well! Also philipp and Katrin were married the same year as Vern and I. Just a bit freaky!Read more
Team W
Mate, I’m sure it tasted amazing but it does not look appetising!! Lol.
12/22/18Reply
Katrina Parker
It was totally amazing. The cheese was too die for.
12/22/18Reply
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Dec 22, 2018, 11:37am · 🌧 9 °C · Altitude: 48 m · 50°58'29" N 7°4'21" E
Germany Cologne Dellbrück

You might also know this place by the following names:

Regierungsbezirk Köln, Regierungsbezirk Koln, Köln, Cologne District, District de Cologne

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Photo @Max Sydow