We debated whether to go into Cologne but fortunately we did and we enjoyed the visit. It is a large city that has been rebuilt after the war. There was a a photograph of the cathedral and there was very little left standing around it after the bombing, now there is a concert hall and museum. We reached the Rhine and saw a great amount of river traffic, we could have taken a round trip to Dusseldorf to see Rolf but decided not to.

I have to admit there was some shopping before getting back to the car and heading for Heidelberg.

The autobahns have some speed limits (120 130 kph) but in the main not, a couple of times I pulled into the fast lane to overtake only to see a Porche, Audi, BMW appear in the rear view mirror, it wasn't there a second ago. I pull over and the Porche powers away with a throaty roar, it's like being on Top Gear.

We managed to find the hotel after climbing some steep and twisty roads but when we got here it was lovely, quiet and very peaceful. We had excellent weather for the trip as we have had since Sunday, there was a thunderstorm here in Heidelberg but by the time we got here it was clear, sunny and warm. We took a wander down to the Old Town and strolled around for the next few hours, it is another of those continental places that combines beauty and age old charm, and we had campari and chips..........

Another possible canvas, you saw it here first folks

Day 12 Koln and Heidelberg and the Great Porche race....