Sunday May 5, Neukirchen, Germany

Bubble fun in the centre of Dusseldorf

After a two-hour drive along the motorways, it really feels as though we have come home again, as we park Ruakiwi in the street outside Conny and Hitten’s yesterday and shift back into “our” bedroom for a few days. They had the kiwi flag on the back of their son’s campervan which was saving our parking space. When we were here in November last year the builders were in the middle of pulling out the old kitchen, and now we see the wonderful result. Their son Lasse called in to meet us for the first time – obviously needing to check out these kiwis that seem to keep visiting. He collected his camper and was driving to Spain for a surfing holiday.

And this evening their other son Janno and partner Miriam joined us for dinner, Conny had cooked a very nice goulash with traditional knoedel, which is like a dumpling and very yummy. It was a great evening. We have had a wide variety of weather today, sunny, raining and hail and very cold in the wind.

We have been pouring over maps with Hitten suggesting a good route across Germany and through Austria to Italy as well as lots of tips on interesting places. Find this invaluable.

This morning it was a very leisurely start to the day enjoying a big breakfast of fresh bread rolls, cheeses, meat and fish. Conny and I went to a nearby vegetable stall to get some strawberries and fresh spargel – white asparagus that was freshly picked today. When we were in Germany two years ago in the spring, we tried this for the first time and it is absolutely delicious. Then it was time to head into Dusseldorf for some walking to eat off the breakfast! Love the fact that all the shops are shut on Sunday’s except for cafes, and the streets were full of families out walking, mind you everyone was well rugged up for the cold weather. We wandered through the old heart of the city then along the banks of the Rhine, watching the barges and tour boats going up and down.

Dinner tonight is a large piece of eye fillet and spargel…very spoilt. Tomorrow we take the motorhome to Mercedes for its two year service.

A German welcome to the kiwis.

Evening drinks with Janno and Miriam

Breakfast fit for a king!

Spargel shop

Wandering beside the Rhine in Dusseldorf.

Comparing!!!!

Spargel...yummmm