Hotel Trouble in Deutschland

I nearly gave up here, but I'm a determined type. The ruddy computer deleted all the purple prose I had written and then went odd. It deleted nearly everything. Then said did I want to leave without saving (I had previously) so I said yes. It was in charge though, and deleted everything.

Starting again 👺

Went down to breakfast at my assigned time, 7am. It was all locked. I realised i had fallen victim to the time zone. Went back at 'real' 7. Good job I booked because like last night it was packed. In the end there were 5 souls having breakfast at 7.45 in a restaurant that would take 150.

So I hit the road. Mostlly motirways to Dusseldorf so makes it fast if a bit tense as it's Germany and some people are doing 130mph on two lane carriageways with others doing 50. I kept my wits around me and stopped for fuel for the car and coffee for me.

Good news. They had a replacement for my cherished Thermos. OK it was in the shape of a camera lens.

I would have thought this well cool when I was 11. The nice lady in the shop thought I was mad. I explained that it was full of coffee so I wanted to pay for both. It didn't have a Barcode. We went back to the shelf and she pinched something off the edge and we were all smiles. Until it burnt my fingers and spilt all over the place, but people back in the UK will be SO envious.

Got to Dusseldorf. Smart looking hotel and a Mercure, a French brand I have used before. Nice room too, but it was 30 degrees outside, curtains open, windows fixed and no air conditiuoning. Sought a cool drink. It said on the bumf there is a cool drink machine next to reception. Could only find a cigarette machine (that takes me back). Receptionist said there is no machine but the bar (2 Metres away) will open soon,

I went back to my room, refused the bottle of tepid mineral water at €3.95 and filled a glass with tepid water from the tap.

Decided to explore in my (A/C) car. Took the scenic route into town and found a lovely riverside suburb called Kaiserswerth. No I don't know what he's werth.

Lovely Rhine next to it

Anyone short of a tractor or 50?

There are beaches and people zooming around on water skiddoos or whatever they're called. People also bathing. I hope Thames Water does not operate on the Rhine.

Then went into the centre. Bedlam. I inadvertently went over a bridge which had chicanes to limit the traffic (at first I thought it was closed) but on the other side there is Battersea funfair. It is a sunny Saturday and evry German is there.

Couldn't park, couldn't stop (except in traffic) so after half an hour going across the bridge and back I went back to the hotel. Chilled for a bit, except I couldn't chill. Decided to have some dinner

Some light specialities on the menu so had a beer and asked about food. There is no food, because there is no chef in the kitchen. My dinner was beer and Twiglets yum yum.

Finished beer and came to room to blog. Too ruddy hot so I decided to go outside. OK there, except the Wifi is weak and eventually lost everything. Grrrrr. Back in my room. Still hot.

I'm done.I will go and have another beer. The staff here are not as young and pretty as these two. The trousers are mine (in the mirror) and I can't be bothered to crop the pic.

Back to luvverly Brentford tomorrow. I'm ready for it, though this trip has been a blast.