131. Europe Bicycle Trip--Frauenparkplatze, A Train Ticket and A Hair Trim

Today is Day 47, Monday, June 2nd. After breakfast Lukas and Silja went off to school. Nils is all done his high school now and can sleep in today. Maren and I were headed into Neuss to try to make arrangements for train tickets for Silver and I to go to Konstanz (Lake Constance). I also wanted to get a hair trim as I am half way through my trip.

I couldn't believe that in the underground parking area there were special places for women only. We headed from here to the train station and Maren was able to arrange a train ticket for Silver and I to Konstanz with 3 train switches . It would be a day long trip and cost only 51 Euro.

St. Quirin church from the side

St. Quirin from the square

Inside the gate was closed

St. Quirin?

A layout of the old city with the church in the middle of the walls.

I was able to walk in and get a hair trim from this young gentleman. He did a great job. Then we went to a book store and after much searching we found the map books that I needed that had the bicycle paths along the parts of the Rhine that I would be cycling.

Then Maren suggested that we sit for a while as everything had gone so well.

We had a nice cup of tea.

It was a good early morning in Neuss and now we would go to Ulla's house for a visit.

130. Europe Bicycle Trip--Indoor Downhill Skiing, Kletterpark and Rainer Arrives

On the way back to Neuss after the Kappellenfest, Maren wanted to show me the indoor downhill skiing place  and activity park.

The framework from the outside

It was amazing to look through the window and see people skiing. I took a video but could not get a good photo.

There was a large shopping area and downhill equipment available.

Local costumes

The whole place is called Das  Salzburgerland

Kletterpark

Up high

Balancing

A butterfly car in the parking lot

Rainer came home from his vacation to Bavaria with 4 friends. He had a great time. They did a lot of hiking as well as some drinking.We had a delicious supper prepared by Maren.

Very delicious!

Silja practicing piano but we can't hear her playing

Relaxing in the evening

129. Europe Bicycle Trip---Leberkase at Hoeren-Hof During Kappellenfest

After the tour of Jan and Janina's place, we walked to the the little chapel down their street. Today there is a fundraiser at a local villa to raise money for the chapel. "Der Erlos des Festes und der kollekte ist fur die Instandheltung der kapelle bestimt."

We all walked the short distance together.

Hoeren-Hof-a local villa where they sell wines, jams and sauces brought from Italy. They also have concerts and serve food.

In the museum there are old tools.

More antiques

Old wood and leather klompen

Leberkase is a specialty food found in southern part of Germany like Bavaria and also Austria and Switzerland that is similar to bologna sausage. Norbert treated us to lunch and desserts.

Lukas had a type of hamburger and there were also delicious desserts like this strawberry dessert.

Silja enjoying dessert.

Norbert and Lukas

Lukas and Janina

Maren getting a piece of dessert

Ulla

Slja, Mary Ann and Ulla

Maren, Mary Ann and Ulla

The local priest came by and chatted with us for a while.

The couple that owned the villa. The lady is still alive and is 92 years old.

Her son, Pietro who is in charge now came to talk with us.

Mary Ann and Pietro

128. Europe Bicycle Trip--Jan and Janina's Place

Jan (on the right ) and his high school class

Today is Day 46, Sunday, June 1st. I did my Bible reading and prayer time and then enjoyed breakfast with Maren and the children. her husband, Rainer, would come home from his holiday in Bavaria this evening. At 1 pm. we went a short distance by car to Korschenbroiche to the home of Maren's brother, Jan, a high school special education teacher, and his wife, Janina , who works in a bank in Dusseldorf.

I really like these WELCOME mats.

The back of their new home

The backyard patio

Open concept kitchen, dining and living room-very light and spacious

Lukas made himself right at home-I think they come here often.

Janina with an old cash register (Sorry about the flash)

I huge whirlpool bathtub-that would be great after a day of cycling!

Downstairs they have a sauna.

Many Dutch homes have beds with two separate mattresses side by side for a more comfortable night of sleep.They also have an mattress sheet and then a duvet cover.

Jan and Janina are great fans of Elvis Presley and have their own Elvis slot machine for entertainment.

They are great football (soccer) fans and Jan used to play for Dusseldorf.

A football (soccer) chair and Silja waving the German flag

Dutch colours every where-the guest room