So having just arrived back from the England trip to Lithuania, I had one day to recover at home and then it was back out to Koln for a long weekend. The itinerary was basically beer - gig - beer - football - beer - gig - beer. Looking back on it I think that beer should possibly have been advertised a bit more in advance on the itinerary!
Yes we land on Koln or was it Bonn? Who knows, who cares, all I know was that it would soon be time for some delightful German beers. So we headed to Koln from the airport or was in Bonn. We came out the train station and bang there was our hotel oh and a small Cathedral!
Not not a light show at a gig, but the tunnel lighting!
Large Kebab, yes please
Koln has an unhealthy obsession with GOATS!!!!!!!!!
This bar as well as serving beer in a delightful mug, also had a superb interior to its toilets! Obviously anyone of a nervous disposition was well placed for any accidents!
Koln is an absolutely stunning city, we drank down on the banks of the Rhine. The beer is also fantastic, Kolsch served in small 200ml glasses, but boy was it good. Even the Lowenbrau is nice in Germany. Anyway we did our best to drink every beer available and then started again and again!
So after many a happy hour drinking away our troubles is was time to head across the Rhine to find the Lanxess arena. We decided to be healthy after all the beer and walk to the arena. The walk had soon worked up a thirst so we had a beer at the venue!
I recognise those ears, yes it is the man from the Sudofed advert. I have been to many U2 gigs, and I would put this one up in my top 3 , an absolute belter. Happy happy days.
Anyone for a KFC?
Sunday - Football and Gig number 2
Today we not only had the second U2 gig but the small matter of FC Koln v Hannover 96, my first taste of Bundesliga football.
Today we not only had the second U2 gig but the small matter of FC Koln v Hannover 96, my first taste of Bundesliga football.
So after a rather poor quality 1-0 away win for Hannover 96, it was back to the small matter of U2 gig number 2 in Koln.
Another amazing gig and what an ending with Bad followed by 40! Love it! So it was the walk back into central Koln and a couple more beers. What a day!
Monday
So today we had set aside to visit the Cathedral, very handily placed just outside our hotel. We had planned the walk up to the viewing gallery but the day was very grey, overcast and rainy that we decided against the long walk up. We settled for a walk round the outside, then inside to see the studding stain glassed windows. A very impressive place.
So today we had set aside to visit the Cathedral, very handily placed just outside our hotel. We had planned the walk up to the viewing gallery but the day was very grey, overcast and rainy that we decided against the long walk up. We settled for a walk round the outside, then inside to see the studding stain glassed windows. A very impressive place.
Well I never Eau De Cologne, comes from erm Koln!
The papers show that the FC Koln fans had every right to be annoyed that the Hannover goal had been allowed. The hand ball is rather obvious, sadly not to the Referee or Lino! Looking back at the game if that goal had been disallowed it would definitely have finished 0-0.
WooHoo, Hennes gets his own little story in the paper :-)
A great view of the Lanxess arena
So the end to another great few days away! It was great to catch up with Tony P who now lives way up north in Perth (no not that one, the cold one in Scotland). We have been mates for 30+ years and seen many many U2 gigs together! We always take time to remember fellow U2 addict Mark (Bernie) Turner, its always a poinient moment when they play With or Without You. Never forgotten mate.
After the Lithuania trip and this trip my liver needs a separate holiday from me, sadly (for my liver) it will be the Shiiine music festival in Butlins, Minehead.........
