Summer 2007 - Day 1

Day 1

Today we drove from home to Aachen in Germany (1.5 hours). We saw the Aachen Cathedral and the Treasury. Charlemagne is buried in the Cathedral.

Charlemagne was born around 742 and died in 814. His C.V. includes king of the Franks, crowned emperor in Rome and canonised in 1165. His interior decorating skills involved bringing in columns and marble from Rome. Under his persuasion he managed to double the empire he inherited from his father to include a nice chunk of Germany, France and Northern Italy.

Photo of Aachen Cathedral and pulpit.

Main Altar.

When we were leaving Aachen we accidentally took a wrong turn and ended up in a different "tourist" area. The kids didn't understand why these women were leaning out their windows in their lacy underwear. In usual fashion, they then decided it must be hilarious and started laughing as the very friendly ladies started waving at them. David managed to keep his hands on the wheel and didn't "Yoo Hoo" them back. Unfortunately, the street was blocked and we had to back out the way we came. Sorry, no photos for you all.

Back on track and off to Cologne. Lots of Eau de Cologne for sale and another Cathedral. Two in one day - the kids were delighted. Photo of Cologne cathedral and of the boys soaking up the religious experience.

Shrine of the Three Magi and the window of St Paul, which was destroyed in WWII and reconstructed in 1992.





The end of a hard days travelling - pizza for dinner.