This monring we arrived in Cologne and immediately after breakfast we headed off to the Medieval Town and the Cathedral. Today is a national holiday in Germany being the 25th anniversary of the reunification of East and West Germany. Basically just about everything will be shut but that did not not bother us as there was not time for shopping.

Firstly we wandered alongside the river for a bit passing a flea market which would have been interesting to have a look at but there would be no time for that. Into the 14th century town which was very interesting. There had been some damage from the bombings during the war but the replacement buildings were built in the same style as the old. The streets were quite littered as yesterday was Friday and that was drinking evening - Saturday would be the same then they would be cleaned up. The legal age for purchasing and drinking wine and beer in Germany is 16 and at 18 one can legally start on spirits.

Wandering through the town we got to the cathedral. A UNESCO world heritage site, along with the oldl town, it is the seat for the Cologne Archbishop and the regions Cardinal. A monument for German Catholicism and Gothic architecture it was started in the 13th century and finished in the 19 century although there was a period where nothing was done. Inside there is a specially built gold triangular casket which is said to house the bones of the Three Wise Men which were collected during the crusades. The bones and shrouds have been analysed and are of the era but of course no one knows who they belong to.

The cathedral had sustained some damage during the WWII bombings having been hit by 14 bombs. It withstood the damage very well and was able to be repaired over the years. The bombing of the cathedral was not intentional but, as it was very obvious from the air, the bombers used its location to organise their bombing runs. Some mistakes were made.

After a good look through the cathedral we had time for a cup of hot chocolate before meeting up with the rest of the "boat people" to get on the bus and head for Bonn to meet the boat. The river current is so strong against us that the boat needs to keep travelling while we are sightseeing. This is the second day we have had to do this. Back on the boat we had a leisurely afternoon in warm conditions (22 degrees) watching the beginning of castles appearing along the riverside.

In the late afternoon we arrived at a small village where we moored near a caravan park. This evening the whole boat went to the Burg Namedy Castle for a Gala Dinner. Here we were met and entertained by Princess Heidi von Hohenzollern. She isn't always in residence so we were luck to meet her. We were allowed to wander around her gardens and most of the house and also take pictures. During dinner we were entertained by emerging young pianist Sona Barseghyan from Armenia. She, and others, are sponsored by APT in the Young Piano Masters Programme which is currently studying in Cologne.

Back to the bus where we were told the boat would be moored until 0430 so if we wanted to wander around the village we could - just be back before departure! We would be going through a gorge most of tomorrow and if we wanted to see our first major castle we would have to be on deck by 0630. Doubt we will make that!