Tag: Köln

Marathon day – first published 18 September 2014

Marathon day had arrived. After a very early and, for Commando, carb laden, breakfast and a little rest in our room we set off for the marathon start line outside the Köln Messe/Deutz station. The sun was still coming up and the deserted park was misty as we walked through. Commando was pleased at the chill in the air but slightly nervous about the day ahead. Would he struggle to understand announcements in an unfamiliar language? What would the course be like? Would there be hills? Continue reading Marathon day – first published 18 September 2014

In search of chocolate milk and Kölsch – first published 16 September 2014

We’d made it to Cologne for the September 2014 marathon. We’d collected the race pack and, after a bit of chilling in our hotel, Commando went out for his last training run. This would take about half an hour and, while he was out, I decided to do a bit of exploring on my own. This was part reconnaissance and part mission to find somewhere that sold chocolate milk for his post marathon recovery drink. Surely somewhere in Cologne had to sell chocolate milk? Continue reading In search of chocolate milk and Kölsch – first published 16 September 2014

Goodbye England, willkommen in Köln – first published 16 September 2014

In September 2014 we were off to Cologne. Commando was going to run the Cologne Marathon and I was looking forward to exploring a city I hadn’t seen for thirty years or more. The sun was coming up as we boarded the plane, orange skies competing to outdo the orange Easyjet plane. Thankfully it was only an hour flight so it seemed as if we’d hardly taken off before we were landing.  Continue reading Goodbye England, willkommen in Köln – first published 16 September 2014